In today’s GE Dehumidifier Review, I will cover a detailed analysis of three dehumidifiers by GE Appliances, the ADEL20LY (20 pint), ADEL35LZ (35 pint), and APER50LZ (50 pint)
High levels of humidity can cause a variety of problems at home. For this reason, a dehumidifier is a great investment for humid climates. When purchasing any appliance, it is important that you trust the brand you are getting.
GE Appliances, formerly owned by the General Electric Company, is an American home appliance company that manufactures products under several brands. They offer dehumidifiers in the 20-pint, 35-pint, and 50-pint sizes.
In this post I cover all the important features you need to know if you’re considering buying a GE dehumidifier. To supplement our own analysis, we cross checked over 300 customer reviews on the three models currently available (by reading verified reviews across multiple online retailers).
First, let’s look at the product specifications below.
GE Dehumidifiers Comparison
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Editor's Choice  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Pros
- Energy Star rated (ADEL35LZ and APER50LZ)
- Easy to set up and operate
- Automatic humidity control
- Three fan speeds
- Auto shutoff with bucket full alert
- Low temperature operation down to 41°F
- Auto defrost
- Power outage auto restart
- Continuous drainage options
Cons
- Can be noisy
- Small tank capacity
- Only two or four-hour delay timer
- Removing the filter can be inconvenient
GE Dehumidifier Reviews
GE 20-pint Dehumidifier
GE Appliances currently offer three dehumidifiers. The smallest is the ADEL20LY which removes up to 20 pints of water from the air in damp rooms. It has a tiny 0.8 gallon water tank on the front, which means you will have to empty the water at least twice during a 24-hour cycle. To enable continuous drainage, connect a drain hose to the outlet port found on the side of the unit.
GE 35-pint Dehumidifier
The ADEL35LZ is rated to remove 35 pints per day in very damp rooms. It has an Energy Star certification, which means that the products meet the EPA’s energy efficiency requirements for dehumidifiers. It comes with a 1.1-gallon water tank, three fan speeds, and extra features for your ease of use.
GE 50-pint Dehumidifier
This GE dehumidifier has a capacity of 50 pints per day. Similar to the 35-pint unit, the APER50LZ is Energy Star rated for maximum energy efficiency. Simply put, GE dehumidifiers can help cut down on your electricity usage and save your money in the long run. This high capacity dehumidifier has an average-size 15-pint tank and a built-in pump for automatic draining.
Dehumidification Performance and Energy Efficiency
High humidity makes the home a hotbed for excess moisture and mold growth. To prevent potential problems, it is essential to control indoor humidity and moisture levels. The best way to do this is by using a dehumidifier.
The main purpose of a dehumidifier is to remove excess moisture in the air. Standard home dehumidifiers have a moisture removal rate that ranges from 20 to 70 pints per day. These pint ratings are determined through tests set by the Department of Energy. As of 2019, dehumidifiers are tested at 65°F and 60% humidity.
Adjustable Settings
The LED digital controls allow you to adjust the settings according to your needs.
Digital Humidistat
The digital display on the center shows the current humidity and the preferred humidity while setting. Press the “–” or “+” buttons to select the desired humidity level from 35% to 80% in 5% increments. The unit cycles on and off to maintain the humidity level chosen. When the ideal humidity is reached, the compressor will stop running. Once the room humidity rises, the unit will start dehumidifying again.
To set the unit for continuous operation (Nonstop), press “–” until the screen reads NS. In Nonstop mode, the dehumidifier continuously operates at its maximum settings for a 24-hour cycle until the water tank is full.
Fan Speeds
GE dehumidifiers have three fan speeds. Press the Fan button to choose from the different fan speeds: High, Medium, and Low. There are indicator lights to distinguish the three. For maximum moisture removal, choose High speed. If you want quiet operation, choose Low speed.
Delay Timer
While most dehumidifiers have a 24-hour auto start and auto stop timer, GE only allows the user to program the unit to automatically turn off after two or four hours. When the dehumidifier is on, press the Delay Off button to set the unit to turn off in two hours or four hours.
Bucket Capacity
Dehumidifiers have different methods of collecting moisture. The simplest way is through an internal bucket. Once the bucket is completely filled with water, you will need to empty it before the unit can start running again.
The 20-pint GE unit has a 6.8-pint bucket, the 35-pint has a 9.5-pint, while the 50-pint unit has a 15-pint bucket. This is around average capacity and should be just enough for light to moderate use. For very damp rooms, you may need to empty the bucket at least three times per day.
GE dehumidifiers come equipped with the standard auto shutoff function that stops the unit when the bucket is full or not placed in the right position. The Empty indicator will light up and the alarm will sound for 10 seconds to remind the user to empty and replace the bucket.
The bucket can be accessed on the front of the unit. To prevent mold and mildew growth, wash and rinse the bucket at least every few weeks.
Drainage Options
Drain Hose
Not everyone has the time to manually empty the bucket. If your unit is in the basement, garage, or any area you rarely visit, it can be easy to forget. While the auto shutoff functionality prevents flooding, it also means your dehumidifier will not be doing its job. In the meantime, moisture levels will increase again.
Like most dehumidifiers, GE gives you an option for continuous drainage. Simply attach a regular garden hose (not included with the unit) to the outlet port on the side of the unit. Make sure that the unit is in a higher placement than the drain and the hose is in a downward position to allow gravity to pull the water.
Drain Pump
If a floor drain isn’t available in the area, a drain pump is the easiest solution. It pushes the collected moisture out of the unit in any direction. You can have the hose run up a sink or out into a window to divert the water. Some of the higher capacity dehumidifiers have the drain pump functionality. It’s common in 50-pint units like this highly-rated Frigidaire.
The 50-pint GE dehumidifier comes with a built-in pump. For dehumidifiers without this functionality, there are external condensate pumps available. In fact, they are generally more durable than built-in ones.
Additional Features
GE dehumidifiers are equipped with all the standard features found in home dehumidifiers.
Auto Defrost
Like most other refrigerant-based dehumidifiers, GE works in low temperatures down to 41°F, while performance starts to decline at 60°F. The auto defrost functionality kicks in when frost is detected on the coils. The compressor will stop running while the fan continues to melt any ice buildup.
Auto Restart
In the event of a power interruption, your dehumidifier settings will be saved. Once power is restored, the unit automatically restarts operation with your previous settings. This saves your time and ensures the dehumidifier is operating as needed.
Air Filter
Most dehumidifiers come with an air filter that catches dust and other impurities from the air before the moisture is removed. GE has a removable and washable filter located behind the front grille. Remove the water tank and pull the filter down.
You’ll find a Clean Filter indicator light on the control panel. After 250 hours of operation, it will light up to remind you to check the filter. Wash and dry completely or replace it if necessary. Press and hold the Filter Timer button to reset.
What Customers Say About GE Dehumidifiers
According to user reviews, GE dehumidifiers are quite effective in removing moisture, reducing humidity levels from 70-80% down to 40% in a matter of hours. Although, keep in mind that customers usually purchase only one dehumidifier at a time, hence they do not have any comparison.
Most of the complaints that GE gets are about the noise levels. Some users do note that the noise becomes nearly negligible when the dehumidifier is in the basement far away from the living space.
On the built-in pump, it is of similar quality and durability as those built into other models from other brands. If you rely on the drain pump for continuous drainage, it may be a better idea to find an external condensate pump, as well as a cheaper, top-performing dehumidifier like the hOmeLabs HME020031N or Vremi VRM010184N. The GE APEL70LT dehumidifier also has some positive reviews.
Overall, GE dehumidifiers perform well enough in average room conditions. But for tougher jobs, you may want to consider other high capacity dehumidifiers.
