Frigidaire Dehumidifier - FDL50S1 Review

We bought the Frigidaire FDL50S1 dehumidifier after our sump pump failed and brought in 3 inches of water into the basement. My woodshop occupies the basement, so I had to get it dried pretty quick. We picked this unit based on the amount of airflow it could push, the digital controls, and the option to connect a hose pipe to expel water directly into a drain. The unit worked great right out of the box - no disappointments or regrets.

Initially I had to empty the bucket every 2-3 days, and after a month I was down to emptying it once a week. The controls are not only intuitive, but simple and clear. The bucket holds quite a bit of water, and the attached float switch shuts down the unit at the right level, to allow you to remove the bucket and take it upstairs without sloshing out onto the floor. I haven't used the hose connection yet, although I'm about to.

The airflow is considerable - I use it at the high setting for maximum effect. Incidentally, the "noise" that other reviewers complain about is directly proportional to the amount of air flow. The lower setting reduces the noise.

I should point out a couple of the subtler features:

• The unit warms the outgoing air, so that you don't end up with a cold room.
• The bucket has a shield on top, which minimizes water from sloshing around while transporting it.
• Any leakage from the hose connection, (if imperfectly connected), drips into the bucket, which in turn will stop the unit once it's full anyway.
• The unit is Energy Star certified.

All told, I'm glad I bought this unit over the others.