Alen Dehumidifier
Alen shipped us a MDF3-30 to test. At first glance, it could easily be mistaken for an air purifier. It is smaller
and more compact than other dehumidifiers we have tested. The housing is all plastic, and there is a digital control
panel on the top of the unit. The other Alen model is exactly the same with the primary differences being additional
weight and water removal capacity. These dehumidifiers pull air in from the front and exhaust through the top of the
unit, so there is an upward air draft that keeps air circulating while they are operating.
What I liked about the Alen Dehumidifier
Casters Often referred to as wheels, the box says this model weighs 46 pounds, and it certainly feels like it! Add in
a full water reservoir, and it gets even heavier. Not that anyone would be carrying it around with a full reservoir, but it
is nice that this model has casters. All four casters independently rotate so on smooth surfaces it is easy to move your
dehumidifier nearly anywhere with little effort
Handle I like the design of the handle. It is located on top of the dehumidifier and pulls out from the plastic housing.
When not in use it can be pushed back flush with the top. This innovative design allows the Alen to retain its streamlined
appearance while adding functionality.
Filter The air filter is very easy to access from the right hand side of the dehumidifier. Maintenance is simple,
consists of washing the filter periodically with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly before placing the filter back in
the machine.
Digital Humidistat I like the digital, easy-to-read, built-in humidistat. After you select the desired level of humidity
on the controller, it reverts back and reads out the actual humidity. We tested this dehumidifiers built in hygrometer accuracy,
and it was within +/- 2 percentage points of our properly calibrated humidistat.
Controls The controls are very self explanatory and easy to navigate.
What I did not like about the Alen Dehumidifier
Capacity If you are unable to port this line of dehumidifiers, you will be creating a lot of work for yourself. The
30 pint Alen dehumidifier has a small collection reservoir, and the one we tested filled up within 4 hours (despite being
set at a very low humidity level). We highly recommend porting this dehumidifier and setting it to run on continuous mode.
Noise This line of dehumidifiers has two fan settings, and both create a fair amount of white noise. I like the white noise
created by air purifiers, but this white noise is louder than many of its air purifying counterparts. The noise created while
running on high is considerable for the average person to endure while trying to sleep.
Warranty While Alen offers limited lifetime warranties on their air purifiers, the Alen dehumidifiers only carry a 1 year
manufacturers limited warranty.
Not Basement Rated This dehumidifier will freeze up and not operate efficiently at temperatures below 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
Overall the Alen 30 pint is best used in living areas and laundry rooms. In a laundry room you could possibly port this
dehumidifier, tying it into your washer's drain line and eliminate the need to empty the reservoir. For larger rooms I would
recommend the Alen 74 pint model. It would offer greater capacity and remove larger amounts of moisture from the air in your home.
The trade off would be slightly more energy consumption, but remember, Alen dehumidifiers are Energy Star qualified. The humidistat
is efficient and accurate, and casters, as well as the built-in handle, give you greater convenience while moving this unit. In
all the Alen line of dehumidifiers offer very capable dehumidifiers at a reasonable price.
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