High humidity can cause a variety of problems in the house, from health issues to mold infestation. A dehumidifier is usually the best solution to humidity, but buying a dehumidifier is not an easy decision to make. Dehumidifiers come in many types and sizes for different purposes and it can be overwhelming trying to choose the best one for you. In most cases, you might not even need a dehumidifier full-time. Thankfully, there are rental services for dehumidifiers you can find if you only need a dehumidifier for a short time.
Furthermore, in case of water damage emergencies, your first thought probably wouldn’t be to buy an industrial dehumidifier to dry the space. There are water restoration companies or dehumidifier renting companies that will lend you one of these high-capacity units to dry up and repair the damaged area. These dehumidifiers can cost a lot and require maintenance you might not be ready for. In this case, renting a dehumidifier may be the answer to your humidity problems.
Where Can You Rent a Dehumidifier?
Dehumidifier rentals are available in a lot of home improvement or home appliance stores. Depending on where you are located, you could go to your local retailer and ask if they offer dehumidifiers for rent.
In particular, Home Depot has thousands of stores in the states, providing for all of your home retail needs. At the time of writing this review, they offer rentals for the following dehumidifier models:
Dri-Eaz Dehumidifier
Dri-Eaz Pro Dehumidifier
Dri-Eaz Pro Compact Dehumidifier
To discover if rentals are available at the nearest Home Depot to you, go to the Home Depot website and set your location. Go to the “Restoration & Remediation Equipment” rental page, choose the dehumidifier model you want to rent and check the availability. Of course, calling the store directly or visiting the Tool Rental Center is always an option. Remember to reserve your dehumidifier before going to the store for quicker pick-up.
These three portable commercial dehumidifier models are built for heavy-duty use with high capacities ranging from 18 gallons, 23 gallons, to 29 gallons per day. To find the best size dehumidifier you need for your space, measure the total area it has to cover and the levels of moisture in the space.
Another retailer and hardware store you can check out is Lowe’s. They have thousands of stores nationwide to meet all of your home improvement needs. They also offer tool rental at select stores. If you need a high-capacity dehumidifier for water damage restoration and other industrial applications, you can rent the XPOWER XD-125 unit from a Lowe’s store. This dehumidifier is rated to remove up to 76 pints of water per day. Make sure to log on to their website and enter your address, then check the products available under the climate control category or contact your local store to check if they have a dehumidifier rental available.
If your nearest Home Depot or Lowe’s store doesn’t offer a dehumidifier rental, you can try with other local hardware or home improvement stores that have dehumidifiers for sale. You can also look for water damage restoration companies. They should have heavy-duty dehumidifiers and other drying equipment available for rent.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Dehumidifier?
The rental costs for dehumidifiers mainly depend on the unit’s capacity and the amount of time you’re renting it. It can also vary per company or store and your location. For instance, in some locations, the basic dehumidifier at Home Depot currently rents for $38 for 4 hours, $54 for one day, $216 for one week, and $648 for one month. The rental may also require a $100 credit card deposit. Similar rates apply to Lowe’s dehumidifier rental. Go to the website or call your local store to inquire.
Restoration companies may provide you with more than just a single dehumidifier for the job. You should contact them directly so they can assess the damage and what you need.
Should You Buy Or Rent A Dehumidifier?
If dehumidifier rentals are available in your Home Depot, Lowe’s, or another hardware store, you always have the option to buy your own instead. But, depending on your needs, renting might be more cost-efficient for you.
Renting a dehumidifier is for those who need a high-capacity unit immediately but don’t want the full cost of buying one. Rental dehumidifiers offer an immediate solution to water damage after a flood or leak. You can have the unit for a few hours, a day, or a week, for a quick humidity solution.
If you only need a dehumidifier in a large commercial space for a specific season, then renting may also be the better option for you. You can rent an industrial dehumidifier for a month for only about half the cost if you purchase one yourself. However, if you need a portable dehumidifier for more than a few weeks at a time, then you might be better off just buying your own unit.
If you do decide to buy your own dehumidifier, there are countless options available for different types of dehumidifiers that you can use in residential or commercial spaces. If you only need one dehumidifier for the most humid part of your home year-round, say, the basement, then you can buy a portable dehumidifier from any of the stores we mentioned above or from almost any home appliance retailer or department store. You can also search for dehumidifiers in their online stores, on Walmart, or on Amazon. Check out more of our guides for choosing the best dehumidifiers to buy for different purposes.
How to Use a Dehumidifier
Whether you decide to rent or buy your own dehumidifier, each unit comes with a specific set of instructions for installation, use, maintenance, and storage. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully, even more so if you’re renting the dehumidifier; otherwise, you might incur a fee for any damage to the rented unit.
When choosing a dehumidifier to rent or buy, you need to consider the size and condition of the space you need to dehumidify. Measure the dimensions and humidity levels and compare them with the recommended coverage areas for each dehumidifier model. Before you operate the dehumidifier, remove any standing water, fix the leaks or whatever the source of moisture is.
When setting up a dehumidifier, find the best placement where it’s close to the humidity source. Set the dehumidifier on a flat and steady surface and close all doors and windows in the room. When choosing the placement, also consider your drainage options and have the drain hose properly set up and connected from the unit’s outlet down to the floor drain to prevent spilling water. Commercial dehumidifiers usually come with a drain hose. In any case, the rental service should provide you with one.
When using the dehumidifier, set the right humidity level on the unit’s panel or remote. Most portable dehumidifiers have a digital display for the current humidity in the space. You can also check it with an individual hygrometer for a more accurate humidity reading. It’s best to use a dehumidifier with humidistat so it can turn off automatically when your set humidity is achieved.
You must also keep the dehumidifier clean by performing the required maintenance as indicated in its manual. The most you’ll have to do is wash the filter(s) to remove the accumulation of dust and other air impurities. Consult your manual for more specific instructions.
FAQ
Does a dehumidifier help after a leak?
Yes, a dehumidifier is highly beneficial in drying a damaged space after a leak. If you have experienced a leak or flood in your basement or any other space, it’s critical to remove the water as soon as possible. Then, a dehumidifier will help dry everything completely, remove the embedded moisture in carpets and furniture, and prevent mold and mildew growth.
Do dehumidifiers use a lot of electricity?
It varies depending on the brand, type, and size of the dehumidifier, but generally, dehumidifiers can consume a lot of power. It’s definitely a lot more than a fan but usually not as much as a similar size air conditioner.
Conclusion
Renting a dehumidifier from your local hardware store provides you with high-capacity dehumidifiers without having to invest thousands of dollars to buy your own appliance. If you need to dry out a large space, the portable dehumidifiers for rent at Home Depot or Lowe’s may be a perfect choice. If you only need a commercial dehumidifier temporarily, you can always inquire with a rental company. For immediate specialty solutions for restoration, these dehumidifiers are also extremely helpful. More severe damage may require intervention by a restoration company with other specialized equipment built for this job, although you may also be able to rent a dehumidifier from them. The costs depend on the dehumidifier size you need, your location, and the degree of damage that has to be repaired.
However, if your humidity problems happen more than twice a year, for more than a few weeks at a time, then you should consider getting your own portable dehumidifier. Before that, you might also wanna try other alternatives or DIY options.
