Whirlpool Energy Star 70-pint Dehumidifier With Pump Review

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Pros

• Unit can be operated in temperatures as low as 38° F (industry standard lower limit is 41° F)
• Tied with iii other units for existence most free energy efficient in 70 pint size class
• Both continuous and machine mode
• Height extendable handle and cord storage for improved portability

Cons

• Very high rate of negative consumer reviews indicates that unit is not reliable
• Low quality LED display
• Unit does non operate quietly
• Unit does not remove moisture quickly
• Reports of manufacturer non honoring warranty
• Not a great value at regular retail price

Included With Your Purchase

• Dehumidifier
• Instruction transmission

Category Ratings

Energy Efficiency	v.0
Noise Output	ii.0
Moisture Removal	ii.0
Hygrometer Accuracy	3.0
Durability	three.0
Adjustability	v.0
Versatility	four.v
Actress Features	3.0
Ease of Use	ii.0
Portability	five.0
Warranty	two.0
Value	ii.0
Editor's Score	3.7

Score is out of 5 possible points.

Quick Review Summary

The AD70GUSB is a large capacity 70 pint dehumidifier manufactured by Whirlpool (nosotros question this fact after in the review). It performed really well in several categories. We found information technology to exist ane of the most portable seventy pint units we tested thanks to its tiptop handle and excellent cord storage. It likewise rated well in categories such as adjustability, versatility, and energy efficiency. In fact, it was one of the most energy efficient dehumidifiers we tested. Unfortunately, several negative aspects to this unit bring downwards its overall score by a considerable margin and makes u.s. at the very to the lowest degree hesitate to recommend it to whatsoever potential heir-apparent. Nosotros cover those negatives in the review beneath.

Annotation: In 2014 we reviewed ten different high capacity dehumidifiers. In the concluding several years we've reviewed many more. This detail review was written in 2014, thus all comparisons within this review were made comparing this dehumidifier to nine other high chapters dehumidifiers and the meridian rated high capacity dehumidifier at the fourth dimension, the Frigidaire FAD704DWD. All new reviews compare all of the most recent dehumidifiers we've tested and reference the current pinnacle rated dehumidifier. Also note that this dehumidifier, while a lxx pint unit at the time of its release, would be a 50 pint unit by today's pints/day standards.

Performance Test Results

Energy Efficiency

The Whirlpool was one of the virtually energy efficient 70 pint units we tested. In our existent world 50% room humidity examination the Whirlpool only drew 590 watts of ability. It was in a tie with 4 other 70 pint units that as well drew this same wattage (590 watts) in this examination.

The unit is rated by the manufacturer to describe as much as 746 watts. Note that the unit volition draw shut to this much power in application where the humidity problem is severe (consistent humidity levels equally high equally lxxx or 90%). If, even so, your humidity trouble is more mild (closer to threescore%) then you lot can expect power draw closer to what nosotros measured in our real globe examination (590 watts).

Noise Output

The Whirlpool tested slightly below boilerplate in our noise output tests. It was ane of three side exhaust units we tested. Thus, it had a singled-out reward in our testing every bit we further discuss here. Of the 3 side exhaust units we tested it produced the almost noise in both the high and depression fan command panel exam (sound meter was placed slightly above the control panel). It performed even more poorly in the long distance high fan test (audio meter placed x anxiety from the unit) where it once more produced the almost noise of the three side exhaust units nosotros tested and was even outperformed past a top exhaust unit (the Frigidaire). Its poorest operation came in the long distance low fan test where it came in 6th place out of the ten seventy pint units we tested.

The Whirlpool is definitely not a very placidity dehumidifier. It does produce quite a flake of noise, although this noise tin can exist directed away from you in certain applications (see more info here). We cannot recommend the Whirlpool if noise output is a priority for you lot.

Wet Removal

The Whirpool performed very poorly in both our ninety-forty% moisture removal exam and our 80-fifty% moisture removal exam. Information technology placed ninth out of x 70 pint dehumidifiers that we tested in both categories. It took almost 3 minutes longer than the top performing Danby to dehumidify a 50 sq ft room from 90% to 40% RH and over two minutes longer to dehumidify the same room from 80% RH to 50% RH.

If you demand a infinite dehumidified chop-chop nosotros simply cannot recommend the Whirlpool as a viable ownership option.

Hygrometer Accuracy

The Whirlpool had i of the least accurate hygrometers of whatever of the lxx pint units we tested. Information technology was only inside 4-six% accurate compared to the bodily room humidity. While the Frigidaire performed slightly more than poorly, it reads in 5% increments which in itself limits the unit'south accuracy. This Whirlpool unit reads in 1% increments which makes its lack of accurateness more disconcerting.

Included Features, Functionality, Build Quality, Warranties, and Value

Durability (Build Quality)

Compressor milk shake

Yeah. (Read more in the corresponding section here)

Brace

The Whirlpool's condensate collection bucket does have a brace, making it very sturdy when carrying the collected condensate from the dehumidifier to the sink/bathtub where you may be emptying the bucket.

Weight

The AD70GUSB is the heaviest 70 pint dehumidifier that does not include a built-in pump of the ten we tested. While this actress weight is to the detriment of the unit's portability we do believe that it indicates that more high quality durable parts were used in the construction of the dehumidifier. Overall, the Whirlpool appeared to be a very well designed and durable unit. The plastic exterior pieces were annihilation from flimsy – y'all won't have to worry well-nigh parts breaking off or plastic great on this unit.

Consumer Feedback

V of the twenty-5 reviews the Whirlpool has received are either 1 or 2 star. That is a xx% negative review rate and certainly implies that the unit of measurement is not nearly every bit durable as our testing and inspection seemed to bespeak. As a comparison consider the Frigidaire FAD704DWD which has a negative review rate closer to x%. Note also, however, that the Frigidaire has close to grand reviews while the Whirlpool only has 25. Anyone competent in statistics will tell you that it's hard to value data with such a low sample size.

Still, as we have mentioned in other reviews, we greatly value customer feedback in determining the immovability and longevity of the unit of measurement as we only tested our units for 30 days while consumers have the advantage of owning these units over a much longer fourth dimension menstruation. The loftier rate of negative consumer reviews for the Whirlpool, even at such a pocket-sized sample size, is a legitimate cause for concern.

Brand Reputation

Whirlpool is a very well known and respected brand. You probably have at to the lowest degree one Whirlpool appliance in your home already. It should be noted that the unit'due south manual tells you to phone call Hisense for customer service. We also noted that the 70 pint Whirlpool unit nosotros tested and the 30 pint Hisense unit we tested were about completely identical in their design and appearance. It is only reasonable to surmise that Hisense is actually manufacturing these dehumidifiers and the Whirlpool brand name is only used due to its aforementioned reputation in the world of abode appliances.

Overall Category Score

We tin can only give the Whirlpool is 3/5 for durability. Our own observations led us to believe that the unit should last a long time. Consumer reviews imply the reverse, that the unit is not very durable. The fact that Hisense is probably manufacturing these units under the Whirlpool make name is also cause for business organization and detracts from the AD70GUSB'due south durability rating.

Adaptability

Humidistat

The Whirlpool's humidistat can be adapted in 5% increments – an manufacture standard.

Timer

The Whirlpool's timer can be adjusted in half hour increments up to 10 hours and so one 60 minutes increments upward to 24 hours. Five of the x 70 pint units we tested have this exact same timer functionality. The Whirpool gets slightly average marks in this subcategory.

Number of Fan Speeds

The Whirlpool features three fan speed options. Most of the 70 pint units we tested (7 of the 10) only have two fan speeds, high and depression. The Whirlpool also has these two standard manually selectable fan speeds (high and depression) but likewise features an boosted setting – auto fan speed. On this setting the unit of measurement will automatically adjust the fan speed " for maximum humidity control". What this means is that the fan will exist adjusted automatically (from loftier to low) according to how close the actual humidity is compared to the desired humidity level. Let's say yous set the desired humidity level to 50% and the bodily room humidity is 55%. The fan speed volition automatically be adjusted to be much lower than say, if the actual room humidity was 80%.

The automatic fan speed selection may be useful depending on the application. If you are putting your dehumidifier in a location that is not a high traffic living space (such as a basement, for case) and then automatic fan speed is really non necessary. You can merely set the unit to loftier fan speed and exit information technology on this setting. If withal, you lot're going to be using your dehumidifier in a living room or family room where you or your family is going to be spending a lot of time so it is definitely a convenient feature, as the unit of measurement will automatically lower the fan speed every bit the actual room humidity approaches the desired humidity level. Why is information technology a convenient feature? Because y'all would usually have to check the humidity yourself and and so would want to set the unit to a lower fan speed when the bodily room humidity level is close to the desired humidity level to lower the noise output of the dehumidifier.

Note that while a lower fan speed volition issue in less noise output, our tests constitute that information technology doesn't really affect the unit'south energy efficiency in real earth applications. Thus, the automatic fan speed setting has no impact on the unit of measurement's energy efficiency.

Extra Modes

The Whirlpool features a continuous style and an auto mode. On the continuous mode setting the AD70GUSB will operate continuously despite the measured ambient air's relative humidity merely you can all the same adjust fan speed. On the car setting, fan speed is gear up automatically and cannot be adapted. The desired humidity level is set to l% and also cannot be adjusted.

Continuous manner is definitely a much more useful mode than auto mode. In applications where the humidity trouble is severe, continuous mode is very helpful as we discuss here. Once again, auto way will be a convenient feature depending on the application. If yous don't desire to worry about what the ambience air'southward humidity should be or what fan speed to set the unit to, only select car mode. The unit of measurement will automatically set the desired humidity level to 50% which is correct in the heart of the recommended range for most living spaces (forty-60%) and the fan speed will be adapted automatically for you.

Overall Category Score

The Whirlpool scores very well in this category. While the humidistat and timer adjustability is average, the unit's inclusion of an auto fan setting and auto way makes it stand out equally one of the more adaptable 70 pint units nosotros tested. We give the Whirlpool a perfect v/5 for adjustability.

Versatility

Ready Humidity Range

The Whirlpool allows you to gear up the desired humidity level to every bit loftier as fourscore% or as low as 30%. While the upper range here is beneath boilerplate (only the Haier DE65EM has a lower upper range at 70%), it is non of import. Very rarely will yous want to set the desired humidity level even every bit high as 80%. Many of the units we tested could be set to as high as 85, even 90% but this functionality is mostly useless as we discuss further here.

What's much more important is the fact that the Whirlpool can be set up to as low every bit 30% RH. This is the lowest setting that can be had on a 70 pint unit of measurement. One-half of the 70 pint units we tested can exist gear up this low and the Whirlpool is one of these units.

Despite the fact that you likely won't want the ambience air's humidity level to be every bit depression every bit 30%, being able to prepare the unit to every bit low every bit xxx% allows you lot to achieve a humidity level below 40% which is helpful in applications where the humidity trouble is continuous and the room'southward humidity is constantly increasing. We further hash out this idea here.

Operating Temperature

The Whirlpool is rated to be able to operate in temperatures as depression every bit 38° F. This is the lowest manufacturer recommended operating temperature limit of any of the seventy pint units nosotros tested. The next everyman manufacturer recommend operating temperature limit is 41° F (six of the x units we tested tin be operated in temperatures as low as 41° F).

Note that we were not able to test our units at low temperatures. This operating temperature is only a number in the manual and the unit may be very inefficient at this temperature. Still, this low manufacturer rated operating temperate range is notable and we can only assume that the Whirlpool may perform improve at low temperatures compared to those units that take a college recommended operating temperature range.

Gravity Drain

The Whirlpool has a standard attachment for a garden hose on the dorsum of the unit of measurement. The molded plastic drain port looks to be sturdy and durable.

Born Pump

The Whirlpool does not have a built-in pump.

Overall Category Score

Being able to set the Whirlpool to every bit depression equally 30% RH in addition to its exceptionally depression operating temperature limit makes this unit one of the more versatile seventy pint dehumidifiers we tested. It features a standard attachment for gravity drainage and no built in pump which slight detracts from its performance in this category. Nosotros still give the Whirlpool a well higher up average 4.v/five in this category.

Actress Features

Temperature Display

The Whirlpool does non have a separate temperature display. It likewise does not have a button y'all tin printing to display temperature on the aforementioned LED brandish that shows the room humidity like some of the other 70 pint units nosotros tested.

Defrost

The AD70GUSB does feature a defrost mode although no defrost indicator lite is present on the unit.

Bank check Filter Light

This unit does have a check filter light that will plough on after a predetermined number of hours of utilise.

Overall Category Score

While the Whirlpool does take a check filter light, it's not nearly as helpful a feature as a separate temperature brandish. The AD70GUSB does feature a defrost style which is the most weighted subcategory in this section. We therefore give the Whirlpool a well above average four.5/5 for actress features.

Ease of Use

LED Display Clarity

The Whirlpool had the worst quality LED display of any of the 70 pint units that nosotros tested. The brandish was very tiresome and low quality. To put things frankly, it made the unit feel like information technology was designed and manufactured in a previous decade.

Setup Difficulty

The display may have been tedious and low quality but nosotros still institute it easy to input settings. Fan speeds and modes had their own LED lights that would illuminate when setting the dehumidifier to the respective speeds and modes.

Filter Removal Difficulty

This unit has a lesser-slide out filter which is what we consider to exist the manufacture standard. Some units exercise characteristic tiptop or side-slide out filters which are easier to work with.

Transmission Clarity

The Whirlpool's manual is very articulate and comprehensive – above boilerplate.

Water Tank Size

Unknown. (see why here)

Overall Category Score

The Whirlpool'south LED brandish really is an eyesore. It immediately makes us feel like the unit was manufactured in the 1990s or even 80s. Setup difficulty is average so is filter removal difficulty. The unit does come with an higher up average instruction transmission. We give the Whirlpool a well below average 2/v for ease of use more often than not due to its subpar display and control panel.

Aesthetics

The Whirlpool has a very basic all the same elegant look to it. The color and end of the unit is slightly off white. Its end is non quite glossy but also not matte. The flat blue control panel is non very pleasing aesthetically but works well on a practical level as the buttons are much less likely to show vesture and dirt aggregating equally some of the lighter colored control panels of the other seventy pint units we tested. We give this unit an average 3.5/v for aesthetics.

Portability

Weight

The AD70GUSB is a adequately heavy lxx pint dehumidifier weighing exactly 45 lb. Of the x seventy pint units we tested but the Delonghi (46.3 lb) and the Friedrich (47 lb) counterbalance more and both of those units include a built-in pump while the Whirlpool does not. This makes the Whirlpool the heaviest seventy pint unit of measurement we tested that does not include a congenital-in pump. Go on in heed that the least heavy seventy pint unit of measurement nosotros tested weighs forty lb (the Keystone) so despite the fact that the Whirlpool is the heaviest seventy pint unit nosotros tested, it's still merely 5 lb heavier than the lightest 70 indicate unit of measurement we tested.

Handles

Offsetting its higher up average weight is its inclusion of a top handle. This handle flips up and can be used to carry the unit up or down stairs or beyond surfaces like carpet on which it'southward harder to button the unit on its casters. Strangely, the Whirlpool does non include side pocket handles. Equally we mention in other reviews, nosotros actually prefer a superlative handle over the side pocket handles that nearly of the 70 pint units we tested come equipped with. Still, we would have like to see the inclusion of side pocket handles also. If the top handle was always to break off you would still be able to carry the unit if side pocket handles were too included (as they are with the Frigidaire, for instance).

Cord Storage

The Whirlpool includes extended plastic hooks on the back of the unit effectually which you can wrap the ability cord for storage. The plastic molding on the back of the unit is too recessed so that the hooks and power cord don't beetle away from the unit.

Caster Quality

The Whirlpool's casters are average quality.

Overall Category Score

Despite its weight, the Whirlpool is a very portable dehumidifier. The top handle makes information technology very easy to carry (and more easy to carry than the majority of other seventy pint units that simply take side handles). The included cord storage is a more unique feature of this unit of measurement (the Frigidaire is the simply other 70 pint unit with this same type of high quality cord storage) that also makes it highly portable. In any scenario where you demand to move the unit just wrap up the power cord on the dorsum of the unit and push or behave information technology to the adjacent location. The Whirlpool earns a well above boilerplate 5/five in this category.

Warranty (Manufacturer'southward)

This unit does come up with a manufacturer'due south warranty. Nevertheless, we did read reports online of consumers whose warranty was not honored by the manufacturer. In one written report the manufacturer told the client that the unit was non sold by an authorized retailer. Nosotros observe this blazon of customer service unacceptable. Definitely stay away from this unit of measurement if you are at all concerned about it breaking down and/or if you lot actually programme on using the warranty if it does break down.

Value

The Whirlpool is really non a good value at $250 (approximately). It is more than expensive than improve rated units. The simply real incentive for paying more than for this unit of measurement is the Whirlpool brand proper noun. Unfortunately, as we mentioned above, the unit is almost probable not fifty-fifty made past Whirlpool. Additionally, the warranty on this unit of measurement has been reported to not accept been honored by the manufacturer.

Final Thoughts – Why Nosotros Cannot Recommend This Unit of measurement

The Whirlpool is highly portable, very versatile, and comes with certain unique features (auto style and a low operating temperature, for case) that are hard to detect elsewhere. However, information technology performed poorly in both our noise output and moisture removal tests. It likewise has a highly inaccurate built-in hygrometer.

The higher up are all negatives but not deal breakers. Nosotros cannot recommend this unit for three reasons. Kickoff, it has well beneath average consumer feedback that indicates that the unit is not very durable. Durability and longevity are very of import when it comes to purchasing an appliance such as a dehumidifier, especially if you're purchasing it online. Secondly, reports of the manufacturer not honoring warranties for dubious reasons is simply unacceptable. 3rd, the unit is overpriced. At a lower price point this unit of measurement may exist an selection for some that are willing to take the risk of the unit breaking down and not being able to have it repaired or replaced under warranty. Even so, at effectually $250 nosotros merely cannot recommend this dehumidifier to whatever potential heir-apparent.

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Source: https://www.dehumidifierbuyersguide.com/whirlpool-ad70gusb-review/