If you’re looking for a commercial or industrial dehumidifier that can stand up to tough conditions such as a crawl space, basement, or other commercial use, you’ve probably come across the AlorAir brand.
AlorAir is well known in the industry for flood and water damage restoration equipment, including dehumidifiers and air movers.
I come across a lot of dehumidifiers in my work and research. And from what I’ve seen, AlorAir makes some of the most reliable, durable, and highly rated commercial dehumidifiers especially for these applications.
AlorAir dehumidifiers use some pretty advanced technologies (such as LGR and SLGR – explained in more detail below) to help ensure efficient moisture removal in extreme conditions. The waterproof construction specially makes AlorAir dehumidifiers a great choice for different job sites.
The AlorAir crawl space dehumidifier line manages to incorporate a pretty impressive feature set into a compact design. Depending on the square footage of your crawl space and whether you need a built-in pump and integration with HVAC ducting, there are a few different options that we’ll review.
If you check out their features as well as the high number of really good reviews from existing users, I think you’ll agree that AlorAir has some very competitive products. They are definitely worth considering, so in this AlorAir dehumidifier review we will take a more detailed look into some of the most popular models from AlorAir’s current dehumidifier lines: Sentinel HD55, Sentinel HDi90, Storm LGR Extreme, and Storm Ultra.
AlorAir Dehumidifiers Comparison Table
IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
---|---|---|
Editor's Choice |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Runner-up |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review | |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
AlorAir Dehumidifier Reviews
AlorAir Sentinel HD55 Dehumidifier
The Sentinel HD55 is probably the best commercial dehumidifier at its compact size. It is the smallest unit in the AlorAir crawl space dehumidifier line and among all AlorAir dehumidifiers. As the model name suggests, this energy efficient dehumidifier extracts up to 55 pints of moisture in 24 hours under AHAM conditions (80°F and 60% humidity), and a maximum of 120 PPD at saturation (90F, 90% humidity). With an airflow rate of 130 CFM, the unit can dehumidify an area of up to 1,300 square feet.
This commercial dehumidifier has an Energy Star certification, which ensures high energy efficiency—with a rated energy factor of 2.4L/kWh—at an affordable price. The unit has an onboard humidistat that allows the user to select the humidity level from 35% to 90% RH. If humidity goes above the preferred setting, the unit automatically starts dehumidifying the room.
The HD55 is equipped with the Hot Gas Valve (HGV) defrosting system and operates in temperatures as low as 36F. Once it detects frost on the coils, the unit goes on auto defrost mode to avoid any damage that may be caused by frost buildup. AlorAir uses epoxy-coated coils to protect the device against corrosion and freon leakage. The unit is guaranteed with up to a five-year warranty.
The two-digit display screen shows the current humidity level or the desired humidity during setting. The unit also features indicator lights to determine when the unit is powered on, when it’s on continuous or auto defrost mode, and whether the compressor is working or warming up.
You also have the option to use this remote humidistat (which works with six AlorAir models) to control humidity levels. This makes the HD55 perfect for narrow crawl spaces or basements. One downside is it doesn’t come with an automatic drain pump, which means you need to attach a pipe and place the unit above a drain.
Pros
- Energy Star certified
- Small and compact
- Most affordable model with its capacity
- Remote control option
Cons
- No built-in pump
AlorAir Sentinel HDi90 Dehumidifier
Another of AlorAir’s dehumidifiers for crawl spaces is the Sentinel HDi90. Like most AlorAir units, this cost-effective dehumidifier is Energy Star certified with an impressive energy factor of 2.69L/kWh. It has a capacity of 90 PPD under AHAM conditions and a maximum of 198 PPD at saturation and covers up to 2,600 square feet.
The HDi90 has a built-in humidistat with a digital display and basic control keys with indicator lights. This AlorAir dehumidifier uses advanced low-grain refrigerant (LGR) technology for more powerful dehumidification. The unit features the same HGV system for quick and efficient defrosting, allowing it to run at temperatures as low as 36°F. This ensures continuous operation without having to stop periodically to defrost, thus saving energy. It also comes with a heavy duty internal condensate pump that continuously forces water out and up to 15 feet above the unit.
AlorAir uses epoxy-coated evaporator coils and a rare earth alloy tube evaporator which protects the unit from corrosion and freon leakage. This high quality device also comes with a 5-year warranty. It uses a MERV-8 filter and pre-filter that can be found behind the intake grille.
Another feature that makes the AlorAir Sentinel HDi90 the perfect commercial dehumidifier for crawl spaces is the optional remote control. This is great for monitoring conditions in particularly shallow spaces. You also have an option for ducting this easily ductable This model uses a MERV-8 filter that can be easily accessed and cleaned. Although considering the maximum airflow of 210 CFM, the unit can be quite loud at 58 decibels. Overall, with its high-end specifications and standard price, it is one of the best choices for crawl space dehumidifiers.
Pros
- Energy Star certified
- Works in low temperatures
- With internal condensate pump
- Remote control option
Cons
- High noise levels
AlorAir Storm LGR Extreme
The AlorAir Storm LGR Extreme Dehumidifier is a compact, stackable industrial dehumidifier designed specifically for water damage restoration. It removes up to 85 pints of water per day under AHAM conditions and up to 180 pints per day at saturation. With an airflow of 210 CFM, the AlorAir Storm LGR can cover up to 2,300 square feet. With its high efficiency and affordable price, it is a great investment for any business needing a rugged commercial dehumidifier.
This portable dehumidifier is built to withstand even the harshest conditions. With epoxy-coated coils and waterproof components, it is perfectly safe to use outdoors and even underwater. Due to its small build, it is also useful for extremely damp crawl spaces and basements. Equipped with an auto defrosting system, the unit prevents frost buildup and stays efficient even in temperatures as low as 33.8°F. It also comes with a heavy duty condensate pump that can discharge water up to a height of 14.7 feet.
The onboard display shows the inlet and outlet temperature and humidity as well as the number of hours run. This model has a Smart WiFi version with a WiFi Control App where you can easily set up and monitor operation.
To avoid internal corrosion and freon leakage, AlorAir has introduced a tube evaporator made from a rare earth alloy. This feature helps the coils last longer by providing protection from corrosion and maintaining the heat transferability. The power cord and condensate hose can be stored on the side of the dehumidifier to help maximize space. You can stack up to three units on a hand truck for easy transport.
The coverage area may be quite small for commercial spaces and a dehumidifier of this capacity. For flood repair and water damage restoration businesses, it is probably best to get a pack of four or eight. Either way, if you’re looking for a portable commercial dehumidifier, this tough and robust AlorAir unit is definitely one of the best you’ll find.
Pros
- Energy efficient
- Waterproof, robust build
- Compact, stackable design
- Available in packs of 4 or 8
Cons
- Coverage area may be too small
- A little heavy for its size
AlorAir Storm Ultra
Another smart dehumidifier from AlorAir is the Storm Ultra. It absorbs up to 90 pints of moisture under AHAM conditions, and up to 190 pints at saturation. It has an airflow rate of 210 CFM and covers up to 2,600 square feet. Equipped with the HGV system, it works efficiently in temperatures as low as 33°F and as high as 105°F. The touchpad control panel has a digital LCD display that shows the inlet and outlet conditions and includes the on/off controls, job hour meter, and purge button.
The unit comes with a built-in condensate pump as well as a 19.6-ft long drain hose that can pump out collected moisture as high as 15 feet. This rugged industrial dehumidifier is built with rotomolded polyethylene that is highly resistant to damage and designed to be stackable for easy storage. It has semi-pneumatic wheels and a rigid handle for support and ease of movement anywhere you need it.
From professional restoration jobs to common moisture issues in an industrial space, this unit offers a quick and uncomplicated solution. Whether it’s a damp basement, moldy garage, or a leaky pipe in the bathroom or kitchen sink, the Storm Ultra is a reliable dehumidifier both for residential and commercial spaces. The drain hose and power cord can be wrapped on the back of the unit for easy storage. The included MERV-8 filter easily slides out from behind the intake grille.
This low-maintenance dehumidifier is WiFi compatible for remote operation through the AlorAir DryEasy app. From your smartphone, you can set and change the humidity, turn on the purge function, and even control multiple units at a time. This is a cool feature, but technology can still fall short from time to time. If you’re not so keen with this feature, you may opt for the non-WiFi model, the AlorAir Storm Pro. In either case, you are guaranteed a high-performing rugged dehumidifier.
Pros
- Highly durable build
- Portable, rugged design
- Easy to use control panel
- Powerful dehumidification
- Smart WiFi controls
Cons
- Too heavy for its capacity
AHAM and Saturation Capacities
The dehumidifier capacity refers to the amount of moisture it can remove in 24 hours. We measure this in two sets of conditions. One is at 80°F and 60% humidity as recommended by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. This is meant to represent the actual performance of the dehumidifier in an average environment.
The capacity at saturation is measured at 90°F and 90% humidity. This is the maximum performance of the dehumidifier in extremely hot and humid conditions. Knowing both of these values gives you a good idea of how effective a dehumidifier works in a specific application.