Aprilaire 1850 Dehumidifier Review – Is it Really For the Whole House?

Aprilaire is a trusted brand when it comes to indoor environment control. Their 1850 95-pint dehumidifier denotes a majestic appliance that’s highly ranked in the market today and for a good reason.

It works harmoniously with your HVAC system to extract massive amounts of moisture from the entire house. Designed for vast areas, the newly redesigned Aprilaire 1850 95-pint dehumidifier comes with a digital display and humidistat for enhanced usability.

So we decided to put this dehumidifier to test. Here is what we found.

EFFECTIVE WHOLE HOUSE DEHUMIDIFIER
Aprilaire 1850

Performance of the Aprilaire 1850 95-pint dehumidifier can best be described as large and in charge.

With a 95-pint moisture extraction capacity and 3000 SQ FT coverage area, this dehumidifier is sufficiently powerful to keep any home dry and comfortable regardless of the size. While this dehumidifier extracts three times more moisture than other leading dehumidifiers, it runs on less than 4.5 kilowatts of electricity per hour, which affords it an energy star rating.

Pros

  • Built-in controls with an easy to read display
  • Easy to reach and clean filter
  • Adjustable outlet options that allow users to utilize the top or side to discharge moisture
  • Auto-defrost function
  • Low maintenance
  • For such a large and powerful appliance, the noise levels are quite manageable
  • Extensive 5-year warranty
  • Made in USA

Cons

  • It’s quite heavy, i.e. installation requires sturdy studs to hold it.
  • Warranty is contingent on professional installation

Construction and Design

The Aprilaire 1850 95-pint dehumidifier lacks outstanding design elements; it’s basically a huge metal box held together by unmasked bolts. We think manufacturer can enhance the design since this will be installed and used in a house for very long time. But regardless of the design, there are other very important elements.

Aprilaire 1850 Design

This dehumidifier comes with a small screen comprising control buttons on the top. Its body consists of a sturdy steel material featuring a gray shade.

While this dehumidifier is quite heavy, it has an incredibly small footprint, and its appearance is super unobtrusive. This dehumidifier is built to last; it’s comprised of rust-resistant aluminum coil coupled with robust construction that goes a long way in preventing leaks.Aprilaire Aluminum Coils

Key Point: Considering that this a huge investment, the 5-year warranty goes a long way in giving users peace of mind and confidence in their purchase.

Power and Dehumidification Capacity

The Aprilaire 1850 95-pint dehumidifier is capable of extracting 12 gallons of indoor moisture per day, which is five times more proficiency than its predecessor. Despite its unmatched efficiency, this appliance utilizes less energy, making it one of the few whole house dehumidifiers with an energy-star rating.

While the Aprilaire 1850 95-pint dehumidifier works best in conjunction with the HVAC unit, it can also operate independently.

  • Airflow of up to 265 CFM
  • Auto-Defrost Feature
  • 95 Pint is Capable of Extracting 12 Gallons/Day

The Aprilaire 1850 95-pint dehumidifier cuts on operation cost significantly, which is attributable to the automatic moisture sensors that sample the air every hour. The machine will, therefore, run on demand to maintain the desired humidity levels.

This dehumidifier comes with an innovative drain port that allows gravity to release the condensate continuously. The auto-defrost feature comes in handy in improving the dehumidifier’s performance while also protecting it from damage.

The removable and washable filter afford users a clean indoor atmosphere free from mold spores and dust particles among other contaminants.

Setup and Usability

The Aprilaire 1850 95-pint dehumidifier was designed with convenience in mind. Users can either drain the condensate using a hose or simply set the device over a floor drain in a basement installation.

It also comes with a state of the art digital display comprised of an LCD screen and push buttons for enhanced usability. Also, users can reposition the control panel from the top of the unit to the front for more convenience. The internal humidistat goes a long way in allowing users to set their desired humidity levels with ease. This Aprilaire dehumidifier is the perfect definition of versatility, thanks to its multiple configuration and installation options.

Armed with an auto-shutoff and restart mechanism, users don’t need to babysit this dehumidifier and switch it on or off manually. This dehumidifier also features innovative adapters for threaded connection or plastic hose.

Aprilaire 1850 Installation

Floor Installation Test:

Armed with four stabilizing feet, this equipment is sufficiently stable to allow the condensate to flow freely devoid of any obstacles. Floor installation is very easy as long as there is a drain for condensate water. We tested the dehumidifier for 120 hours in humid basement it performed well and ran with no problems.

Duct Installation Test:

We did not test this dehumidifier with duct installation however, based on inlet and outlet dimensions, the dehumidifier can be easily installed into any location of the circular duct system. The only struggle we noticed was the weight would require studs/braces including anchors should be rated for 100 lbs since the weight of the equipment is 70 lbs.

Below picture shows some of the ideal installation locations. Installation manual provides general guidelines that are helpful for this purpose.

Size and Portability

The Aprilaire 1850 95-pint dehumidifier features 14.5” height, 12.5” width and 27.5” depth and weighs 70 lbs.

While this dehumidification unit is quite heavy, it lacks casters or handles, and thus its portability is inhibited significantly since it is meant for more permanent installation.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Aprilaire 1850 95-pint dehumidifier is generally a low-maintenance machine.

Users are only required to clean the filter in addition to flushing debris from the hose and drain port yearly to ensure optimal efficiency. With this dehumidifier, homeowners don’t need to worry about emptying messy trays.

Recommendation: Install the dehumidifier in an easy to reach area as the filter needs cleaning at least once a year or depending on the usages.

Areas It’s Best Suited For

If you have an expansive humid area, you should consider investing in this dehumidifier.

With its ability to operate at low temperatures, the Aprilaire 1850 95-pint dehumidifier works perfectly in the basement. It can also create airflow of up to 265 CFM, making the Aprilaire 1850 95-pint dehumidifier a suitable option for indoor gardens, grow rooms, crawl spaces and basements.

While this dehumidifier can be quite noisy when installed in the living room, users can barely hear it they place it in the basement.

Key Take-Away

With the retirement of the Aprilaire 1750 model, the manufacturers replaced it with the Aprilaire 1850 95-pint dehumidifier that’s notably more powerful, quieter and smaller.

This dehumidifier is installed directly to your existing HVAC unit to remove unwanted moisture from your living space, making your home less hospitable to mold and dust mites. What users appreciate most regarding this dehumidifier include the steel construction, five-year warranty, auto-defrost feature, and auto-restart following a power outage.

Whether you’re looking for effective whole-house or localized dehumidification, this unit got you covered.

SPECIFICATIONS
TypeWhole House
Moisture Removal Capacity12 gallons of moisture daily
FilterWashable
Size95 Pint
Energy Star RatingYes
Energy Consumption4.5 pints/kilowatt per hour
Product Dimensions27.5 x 12.5 x 14.5 inches
Item Weight70 lbs
ManufacturerAprilaire
Model Number1850
Warranty5 Years
Made InUSA

Expert Ratings of Aprilaire 1850

9.7

Construction and Design

9.5/10

Power and Dehumidification Capacity

9.9/10

Setup and Usability

9.8/10

Size and Portability

9.5/10

Cleaning and Maintenance

9.6/10

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