Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers - Dehumidifier Recommendations?

I've recently purchased a home in VA & man is it humid. Definately have moisture problems in crawlspace. Some of this can be corrected without too much expense. I'm planning on installing a moisture barrier and insulating HVAC ducts.

I'd like to get a dehumidifier going, but the units I'm finding online seem to run upwards of $1,000. Crawlspace isn't large, approximately 1,000 square feet and averages 18" high. Is there any alternative to a dehumidifier that exceeds my mortgage payment?!

Any help/ suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Sure you could get any one that you would like. But a quality brand will save electricity, have more capacity for those two and three day rains ( haven't seen them here in a long time) and you can service them if something breaks. If I had a crawlspace Id spend that money! Where in VA r u.

Sliving,
You should have vents on opposite sides of your crawlspace. Make sure they are of the right size and amount for your square footage. Also post your question in the "Interior forum" under "Insulation". I think you will find the information you need on vapor barriers and venting of crawlspaces.

As for dehumidifiers, I don't care for them as they release their heat in the area instead of being made with a connection to blow the heat outside. You might be better off with supplementary window airconditioners to your central air if you have that.

Thanks for the replies,

I'd love to purchase a top of the line dehumidifier - but if I do then the family doesn't eat! Seriously a $1,000 dehumidifier is way out of my league.

I'm a little confused in regards to venting the crawlspace - seems that there are some differences of opinion. If the crawlspace is cooler then the humid outside air, won't the vents draw humidity into the crawlspace??

How would a supplementary air conditioner help with crawlspace? - there is no connection to the unit and the crawlspace. The indoor living area isn't at all damp - moisture seems strictly limited to the crawlspace

Thanks Again

Sliving,
I do not have the answer about venting crawl spaces. I just know that there should be vents to allow moisture to escape. Try the "Interior Forum" to post about it.

I was under the impression that the moisture in your crawl space was getting into the living quarters and raising the humidity level higher then the outside levels.

If its just the living quarters that has too much humidity then it normally would be a bit higher indoors then outdoors due to cooking, bathing or you have a large fish tank and you don't exhaust the excess humidity and allow fresh air to come in.
But if you are sure that the excess humidity source is from outdoors, then you are a canidate for an updated heating and airconditioning system. That can be Pricy. Your cheapest bet is to install a large through the wall air conditioner and some window air conditioners in select rooms. I suspect that it will cost a bit over $1000.00.

When you are ready to lay down some plastic in your crawl space, check with the interior forum under insulation and get the answers you need to do it right. You might be getting moisture from the crawl space seeping into the house.

The old vents in the crawl space is the old way they did it and unfortunatly is still called for under code in some places. In a humid area of the country the best remedy is to close off the vents, lay at least a 6 mil poly down and run it up the walls about 4" - 6" inches. Make sure you tape all the seems also. Then take at least 4" styrofoam insulation and glue it to all of the exterior walls from top to bottom leaving no voids. Then follow with caulking any other areas where outdoor air could infiltrate.

You will have a bone dry crawl space.

I 100% agree with mattison! RH% will be less inside than outside with AC unless their is moisture from some where! That some where is the crawl! And yes a 70 pint $250.00 will work it just will never turn off and will spin that meter! Where in VA are you?

i 2 have a crawl space from hell. im tearing up all the floors reinsulating , new sub floors etc. . im banging my head against the wall trying to decide what insulation to use on floor above crawlspace or what type of sub floor to use any ideas anyone:

Id use spray foam. Then you will not need a dehumidifier.