The Oasis frost free model dehumidifier is relatively quiet, even on the highest setting. However, the dehumidifier I have at home is more powerful, so I exchanged it with the one in the museum. It works much better...the basin holds more water, but unfortunately it is LOUD. I can turn it down to a lower setting (or off) when there are visitors. The dehumidifier wasn't enough, better air circulation was needed. I have 2 floor fans that I run on high when the museum is closed. I rarely run them on high when the museum is open (even when there are no visitors)because they are also loud (and can be heard over the phone) and generally, a medium or low setting works just fine. It took me awhile to properly locate the fans and dehumidifier in order to create a more stable temp/RH and have good air exchange. This assures that the dehumidifier isn't pulling moisture from 'outside' (see below, NO insulation). I also have a clear path to the door to empty the basin and take great care to avoid spillage of course. Since I work 4 days on, 3 off...I rely on other staff to empty the dehumidifier when I'm not there. On dry days, it's not a major issue if the basin doesn't get emptied. The water is contained and so little condensation will occur. Still, the unit is 'on' and I prefer if the basin in emptied and the unit is shutdown (if we have low outdoor humidity). We do take great care in monitoring outdoor conditions and change, and the staff is on notice to check the dehumidifier on the more humid days when often, it has to be emptied twice. I had noticed that one of the fans, which I have placed right in the middle of a doorway, was always moved away from the doorway when I returned back to work. The staff moves it to get into the room to empty the dehumidifier and it's not placed back where it was when they leave. This was my fault -for not communicating the importance of the placement and operation of the fans, as I did with the dehumidifier. And I did note the difference (because we have a cement floor, I can see where condensation is collecting. Ah - I just finished reading Dave's post, and I was just going to get into the importance of recording the fluctuations. So no need to repeat that here. And this is how I verified the fluctuations I suspected were occurring, and that they did so between the hours of 12:30-5pm...when the sun (if these were sunny days) hits this side of the [unshaded] building. And the outdoor humidity correlated with the humid conditions that were recorded indoors (and exceeded that of the outside). And we did suspect that there was poor (or no) insulation in this part of the building. This was verified during renovations last week. I may or may not have to relocate the dehumidifier and fans. One small storage room -I could detect some fluctuations in temp/RH, but wasn't sure if it was an issue...only way to know for certain is to place a hygrothermograph in there. Over a months worth of records did indeed indicate fluctuations, but these were within a good range and not so great to be cause for immediate concern. However, the side of the building that is now insulated may change that one way or another. Lastly, I do want to stress the importance of recording the temp/RH for another reason...supportive documentation. Most times this is essential when seeking funding, work orders, etc. This may also assist you in what's going on in the rest of the building, in regards to the use of air conditioner units. The facilities manager for your building will then be able to try to control the situation. This is quite common in shared building space and areas where staff persons control these units based on their own comfort level. In some cases, they may not be using the air conditions properly. And this happened in another facility where I worked - and similar perhaps to yours.... The building didn't have central air, but each office had an air conditioner. Some offices had their doors open, others closed. The hallway...well with busy traffic, the outside door being opened and closed constantly, the hallway would be warm and humid when the office doors were closed. I accompanied the facilities manager to the office on the other side of our space. It was a large office that had two adjoining spaces, each with an air conditioner. One door to the hallway was open, the other closed. The air conditioner in the side closet to our wall, was running, but not blowing cold because ice had formed inside. The staff person had the office door open...and the humidity from the hallway caused this to happen. This can be an issue with central air as well. And I was surprised to see this while visiting a museum a few years back -C/A was running and the front door was wide open. Pam In a message dated 7/17/2007 8:20:16 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: I checked the listserv archive, and it doesn't look like this has been discussed for a few years, so....I'm curious about what the current thinking is on small portable humidifier and dehumidifier units. We have a display area that does not have its own climate control, and the humidity tends to rise and fall dramatically, depending on what is happening with the building's main air conditioning units. Although my preference would be for a console unit hooked into the building's drainage and water supply, so that we don't have to constantly refill and empty pans, I don't think it's going to be possible. I don't want to just buy a cheap home unit, however, because I keep coming across cautionary tales about bacteria growing in the units, about humidifiers depositing lime on collections, etc. Are portable units acceptable when there are no other alternatives? If so, any recommendations for humifiers and dehumifiers (separate units or combinations) that are good in a museum setting, do the job, do no harm, and are relatively quiet? Thanks for your insight, Nancy Jenner Pamela Silvestri, Seasonal State Parks Interpretive Guide Northeast States Civilian Conservation Corps Museum Shenipsit State Forest Headquarters 166 Chestnut Hill Road Stafford Springs, Connecticut 06076 Telephone: (860) 684-3430 e-mail: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).