Taking the moisture out: A dehumidifier that can do the job for less

(WXYZ) - Dehumidifiers come in handy this time of the year, when rainy weather leads to damp, moldy basements. For a large basement, Consumer Reports recommends a large-capacity dehumidifier.

Testers found that large-capacity dehumidifiers are generally more energy-efficient than medium-capacity dehumidifiers, and they will cost you less per pint of water removed. That’s important because dehumidifiers use a lot of energy.

Testers also check how accurately dehumidifiers control the humidity in the room. Comfortable settings are anywhere from 30 and 60 percent. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, it’s important to set the humidity levels on a dehumidifier between 40 and 50 percent.

Consumer Reports named the large-capacity Soleus Air SGDEH-702 a Best Buy. It costs $225 and would be a very good choice for a large basement.