FAD704DWD vs FFAD7033R1
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Choosing the best dehumidifier for your home can be a challenging task. With so many models in the market and manufacturers releasing newer models every now and then, you may not tell which one will meet your needs. To help you navigate through your choice of this all-important appliance, we have compiled a comparative review of F704DWD and FFAD7033R1. They are the most popular dehumidifiers currently in the market.
The review on these machines is based on test results obtained when they were used under varying conditions such as different degrees of humidity and temperatures. The tests are credible as they were done in a period of about 1 year. Feedback from about 250 users was also considered in compiling this review.
Table of Contents
Consideration Points
Energy efficiency, versatility, hygrometer accuracy, durability, user-friendliness, adjustability and noise levels are some of the consideration points that we will explain to you in this guide. Our explanations will help you to understand these terms and more importantly, how they determine the suitability of a humidifier.
However, the review will not tell you which among these dehumidifiers is better. That is a choice you should make based on the needs in your house and your budget.
FAD704DWD vs FFAD7033R1 – Energy Efficiency
To determine how energy efficient a dehumidifier is, you consider its initial power draw at a given relative humidity and its dampness removal rate. A more efficient machine will draw fewer watts to dehumidify an area at a particular relative humidity. However, the time the machine will take to do this job also matters as it determines its removal rate.
For instance, at a relative humidity of 100% both the FAD704DWD and the FFAD7033R1 draw 745 watts. Even at a lower RH, they draw an equal number of watts. When tested at 50% RH, their measured power draw is 632 watts.
However, even though they have the same initial power draw, the FFAD7033R1 is more efficient than the FAD704DWD. It takes less time for the FFAD7033R1 to do the job than the FAD704DWD.
This means that the extra time that the FAD704DWD will take to complete the job will translate to more energy use and a higher energy bill to dehumidify the same area with the same humidity level.
Therefore, with regard to energy efficiency, the FFAD7033R1 is the better choice.
FAD704DWD vs FFAD7033R1 – Noise Level
Tests at high fan speed show that the FAD704DWD produced 67.2db and 63.4db at low fan speed. The FFAD7033R1 produced 53.5db and 50.3db at high and low speeds respectively. This shows that the FFAD7033R1 is less noisy.
The difference in noise outputs of the dehumidifiers is explained by the positioning of their air intakes and exhausts. The less noisy FFAD7033R1 has a rear intake and it exhausts at the side.
When placed against a wall, the rear intake on the FFAD7033R1 will draw the air from the wall. The noise from the intake will therefore not be loud.
Since the exhaust is at the side, you can choose how to position it so that it exhausts to your preferred direction. If it faces away from where you are, the noise level should be tolerable. This is unlike the FAD704DWD whose intake is at the front and exhaust at the top. You therefore cannot control where to position it to determine the intake or exhaust direction.
Nevertheless, even though it is louder, the noise level of the FAD704DWD is bearable.
FAD704DWD vs FFAD7033R1 – Hygrometer Accuracy
Dehumidifiers have an inbuilt hygrometer that measures the relative humidity in an area. The hygrometer readings are displayed on a screen on the control panel. However, the readings displayed do not always accurately correspond to the relative humidity of the area.
Hygrometers are set to read and display humidity levels at % increments. If a machine is set at 5% increment and the actual humidity is 50%, it will display 55%. Another machine set to read 1% increments will display the same humidity as 51%. This reading corresponds more to 50% than to 55%.
The FAD704DWD dehumidifier displays more accurate hygrometer readings at between 1% and 2% increments as opposed to 4% increments set for the FFAD7033R1 model.
This means that if you have the FFAD7033R1 and you dehumidify a room to 50%, it will automatically shut off after achieving a humidity of 54% while the FAD704DWD will shut off at 51%, which is closer to your desired humidity level.
However, the difference in the hygrometer accuracy of the two appliances is not big enough to set them apart in performance. In reality, you may not feel the difference in humidity levels in a room if the air humidity changes with a margin of up to 5%.
FAD704DWD vs FFAD7033R1 – Dehumidification
When dehumidified air is exhausted from the top of the machine, it is distributed more evenly in the room than when it is exhausted to one side. In this regard, the FAD704DWD is more efficient as the dry air circulates in the room faster and more evenly.
The front intake on the FAD704DWD also means that if it is positioned against a wall, it will pull in and dehumidify air from a wider area. This is unlike the FFAD7033R1 whose rear intake limits the air it can intake to only the air between the machine and the wall.
To increase its efficiency, you can place your FFAD7033R1 in the middle of the room or position it so that the intake faces the center of the room.
FAD704DWD vs FFAD7033R1 – Versatility
A humidifier is more versatile if it can work well on a wide range of room conditions. You can set your FAD704DWDW or FFAD7033R1 to dehumidify your room to a 35% relative humidity level. You can also choose a higher level of up to 85%. These machines are versatile since they give you this wide option of dehumidifying your room.
The older FAD704DWD has a two fan speed that can automatically operate at low or high speed. This has further been improved in the newer FFAD7033R1 which has a low, moderate and high fan speed.
The two appliances also work well at varied degrees of temperatures. As long as the temperature does not go below 410F or exceed 900F, the FAD704DWDW OR FFAD7033R1 will give you astonishing results.
FAD704DWD vs FFAD7033R1 – Durability
Feedback from 250 customers has given the FAD704DWD a good rating of 89% on durability. The newer model has an even higher rating of 95%.
Some of the notable improvements on the new FFAD7033R1 model include the more solid top handle, control buttons that are of a higher quality as well as the LED Light on the display panel to alert you when the collection bucket is full or not correctly positioned.
However, the water bucket with a capacity of 13.1 pint is 20% smaller than the FAD704DWD bucket which holds up to 16.3 pints. Note that the two models give you the option of attaching a hose pipe for the water to auto drain to your preferred location.
FAD704DWD vs FFAD7033R1 – Portability
To ease portability of the two dehumidifiers, the manufacturer made them with omni-directional wheels. The FAD704DWD has a top handle and pocket handles on both sides that one can use to push or pull it in to a desired position even if the top handle breaks with long use.
The newer model lacks the side pocket handles meaning that should the top handle break, you will struggle to move it from one point to another. Nevertheless, the top handle on this model is unlikely to break as it has been built more solidly.
FAD704DWD vs FFAD7033R1 – Manual Clarity
The manual for both machines is clear, simple and well organized. You can follow the pictorial demonstrations if you want to use the advanced setting like the gravity drainage.
FAD704DWD vs FFAD7033R1 – Service Contract
Like the other humidifiers from Frigidaire, these two models offer a 1-year service contract. You will get a service contract of between 2 and 5 years for other parts such as the condenser, evaporator, compressor, and tubing.
Final Thoughts
The two dehumidifiers are highly rated in terms of performance, functionality, and features. The newer model is more energy efficient even though their initial power intake is the same. The FAD704DWD dehumidifier achieves a more accurate hygrometer reading of between 1% and 2% above room humidity while the FFAD7033R1 is likely to cycle of when still 3% to 4% below the desired room humidity.
However, FFAD7033R1 is more efficient as it dehumidifies faster than the FAD704DWD. The rear intake and the side exhaust make it more efficient and less noisy.
While the two dehumidifiers can operate optimally in a range of 410 F and 900 F, the newer model has an additional fan speed function. Improvements on the top handle, display panel, and control buttons make the FFAD7033R1 more durable and easier to use.
Both have a 1-year warranty and up to 5 years on specified sealed parts. The manuals of both humidifiers are also clear and well-illustrated.
Hopefully, with this information, you will find it easy to select your dehumidifier.
