Why do you need a dehumidifier? Let’s consider that warm, humidified air can be a source of pain and concern for homeowners. Excess moisture on the other hand can cause a variety of issues, including:
- Mildew on stored luggage, books, clothing, & furniture
- Mildew spore allergies;
- A musty, moldy stench & rust on the workshop
- Sticky drawers and doors; “sweating” equipment and metal accessories
- Wetness on insulation and cold-water pipes
For the majority of households, moisture and mold concerns are more common in the basement. It is worse in summer as opposed to winter.
We hope to help you determine whether or not you need to dehumidify. We will also advise on how to utilize dehumidifiers effectively. For instance, providing appropriate drainage around the basement perimeter can eliminate a vast majority of basement leaks and moisture problems.
The border of the basement wall has large volumes of water vapor that can be produced in the basement by saturated soil near the basement wall of the dwelling quarters.
As a result, if water leaks or seeps through basement walls, the walls should be repaired, or the drainage around the area should be improved.
The latter can be achieved by installing a sump pump and waterproofing the house -the earth around the house should be sloping away from it. Also, gutter downspouts can be installed to send water at least six feet away.
However, basement seepage is not a problem from inside the house that can be solved with dehumidifiers.
What is a Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is responsible for the removal of excess water in your home’s air. If relatives or family suffer from asthma or allergies, a dehumidifier can help alleviate symptoms and improve breathing.
Herein, we will assist you in determining whether or not a dehumidifier is a smart purchase for your home.
Uses of dehumidifiers and their health advantages
Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation are all part of the water cycle, as you may recall from primary school science. You might not know it, but the water cycle is always active in the air you breathe, even while you’re indoors.
The term “humidity” refers to the amount of water vapor in the air. Dehumidifiers eliminate or reduce the amount of water vapor in the air. By so doing, dehumidifiers aid in the reduction of allergy symptoms.
Environmental allergies can induce a variety of symptoms, including:
wheezing
sneezing
Aching
Agonizing itching
Pain in the chest
Irritation of eyes
The following are some of the most common allergy triggers:
- dust mites
- pollen
- animal dander
- mold
Drying out your home’s air helps to keep triggers to a minimum. Dust mites, in particular, require a relative humidity level of 65 percent to survive and reproduce.
That’s a humidity level that a dehumidifier can readily control. Mold development is also controlled by dehumidifying the air.
People with Asthma may benefit from dehumidifiers.
It becomes heavier and more difficult to breathe when there is moisture in the air. As a result, high-humidity situations might be challenging for people living with asthma.
A dehumidifier can make inhaling and exhale easier on the lungs. The mugginess dissipates, and the air becomes cooler and more pleasant.
According to a 2013 study, there is little evidence to support using a dehumidifier to treat chronic asthma. Still, there is also no evidence that using one might be harmful. However, dehumidifiers can help you live a healthier life.
Invaders such as silverfish, cockroaches, and spiders are also eliminated when mold and dust are removed. People with COPD may benefit from lower humidity levels.
On the off chance that you reside in areas demarcated as humid, a dehumidifier can help you chill your home and save money on air conditioning.
Operations of a dehumidifier
A dehumidifier operates by using a fan to suck warm air currents into its coils. Warm air condenses when it passes through the machine’s refrigerated coils, leaving condensation inside the dehumidifier.
As the condensation collects, one droplet of water at a time, it falls into a dehumidifier-connected storage tank. Through the other side of the machine, cooler, drier air is sent back into your home.
Your dehumidifier should be able to reduce the humidity in the air to 30 to 50 percent relative humidity. Many dehumidifiers come with a meter that measures the relative humidity in the area where they’re installed, and you can adjust the humidity to the desired percentage.
The use of a dehumidifier may have unintended consequences. For instance, a dehumidifier may or may not work for everyone. Using one in your space may have some unintended consequences.
Dehumidifiers help to dry out the air. A dehumidifier may not be necessary if you live in a dry climate (such as a desert or high-altitude area) or heat your home with gas or electricity. Because when the air is excessively dry, conditions like pneumonia might get worse.
If your home becomes dry, your skin and hair may be harmed as well. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) sufferers may be more susceptible to flare-ups in a dry atmosphere.
When using a dehumidifier, you may need to be extra cautious about remaining hydrated. A dehumidifier may also cause more harm than good if you have a dry cough or a stuffy nose.
How do I choose the proper dehumidifier size?
The size of your space and how damp it is will determine whether you need a large or small dehumidifier.
Dehumidifiers are sized according to how many pints of moisture they can remove every day: the larger and more humid your room, the more powerful your unit will need to be.
A 70-pint dehumidifier, for example, can dry a 700-square-foot area that is very damp or a 1,200-square-foot area that is slightly damp.
In any chance that the room is cooler (for example, in a basement), the dehumidifier will remove less moisture since colder air has less moisture than warmer air.
- Small: Removes 20-25 pints of moisture at 65 degrees Fahrenheit or 30-40 pints at 80 degrees Fahrenheit (about 400-600 square feet).
- Medium: Removes 30-35 pints of moisture at 65°F and 50-60 pints at 80°F (about 800-1,000 square feet).
- Large: Removes 40-55 pints of moisture at 65 degrees Fahrenheit or 70-90 pints at 80 degrees Fahrenheit (about 1,200-1,500 square feet).
Signs that a dehumidifier is required
Dehumidifiers are most effective in wet locations, such as basements. The following are signs that you should buy a dehumidifier:
- Year after year, someone in the house suffers from an extended allergy season.
- You’ve recently moved, and your allergies seem to be worsening or flaring up more frequently than before.
- In a part of your house where you spend a lot of time, there’s a persistent damp odor.
- After a big rainstorm, water leaks into your space.
- When you enter your home, you sense humid air, indicating that you can see water vapor in the air.
- Dust mite allergies affect everyone in the house.
- You’ve seen an increase in pests like spiders, cockroaches, moths, and silverfish.
- Even after being freshly laundered, your garments have a damp or moldy odor.
- Coughing and a running nose are persistent signs of respiratory disease.
What factors should you consider while purchasing a dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier with a hose connection can save you from manually emptying the machine when using a large capacity dehumidifier – for a particularly wet job.
If a hose isn’t available, search for one with a pump that can deliver water up to a sink or window. Otherwise, you’ll have to discard the collected water frequently.
When you need to change the air filter, the filter will alert you.
An auto-humidistat detects moisture in the air and switches off once the target level is reached.
If the dehumidifier is used in a calm environment, a low-temperature setting and auto-defrost will guarantee that the machine operates correctly in cooler temperatures.
How can I make sure my dehumidifier is working correctly?
Ensure that ventilation is not obstructed. Some units feature vents on the top that allow them to be placed against a wall.
Others have side vents, so they shouldn’t be pushed up against the walls or furniture.
Clean the air filter regularly. If the dehumidifier is unclean, it won’t work as well. Our recommendation is to clean it at least once every week.
When emptying or cleaning the container, make sure to unplug the machine.
Tips for conserving energy
- Dehumidifiers are only efficient in reducing humidity when it exceeds 50%, which is frequently the case in the summer. For example, the humidity in the basement ranges from 60% to 80%. Check your dehumidifier regularly to see whether frost accumulates on the evaporator coils if the temperature is below 65°F. If frost has developed on the unit, switch it off until the frost has melted and the room has warmed up. In low temperature or humidity circumstances, specific systems incorporate an automated control to prevent frost build-up.
- Dehumidifier coils should be cleaned once a year. Air traveling through the dehumidifier coils carries dust, lint, and fungus spores. Cleaning coils is easiest when it is soft and damp, and the matter may be removed using a soft brush. Use a spray bottle filled with water to moisten the coils if necessary. Allowing water to enter the electrical components is not a good idea. Do not use a hose to spray the coil.
- Make sure there’s enough air movement around the dehumidifier. For optimal performance, air must freely circulate around and through the dehumidifier.
conserving energy continuation …
- Squeeze a dash or two of oil onto the fan motor bearings once a year. A few models need the latter.
- When running the dehumidifier, keep all windows and doors shut. It is a frequent misperception that moist places can be ventilated by opening windows and doors. When warm, humid outdoor air is transported into a cool basement or crawl space, the cooler air cannot hold as much moisture, causing condensation on the walls, floors, and pipes. The dehumidifier is put under additional stress as a result of this. When the outside humidity and temperature are low, the only time to open windows is when the inside humidity and temperature are high.
- To prevent sweating, wrap pipe insulation around cold water lines.
- Use plastic to cover dirty floors in dark spaces and basements.
- The owner’s manual can give additional and specific advice.
- Avoid using a dehumidifier to remove humidity and frost from windows during the winter.
Where can I find a dehumidifier?
Buy a dehumidifier at practically any home improvement or supply store. They’re also commonly found in appliance stores and department stores.
You’ll need to know the following before making a purchase:
- what tank size you require (how much water the dehumidifier can collect before you have to empty it), and what humidity range the device can control
- Before you buy an appliance, you should find out how much it will cost in terms of energy.
Buying guide for Dehumidifiers
A dehumidifier can help reduce dampness from a basement or laundry room and prevent sticky problems caused by excess moisture in the air.
Humidity levels above 50% can encourage dust mites, mildew, and mold, which can lead to allergies and other health issues.
A dehumidifier is responsible for removing moisture from the air in the room by passing it over refrigerated coils and collecting it in a tank.
Almost all of the dehumidifiers in consumer reports’ ratings remove the specified number of pints of water from the air. However, some come far closer to attaining the desired humidity level than others, use less energy, or have a larger tank, which means you won’t have to empty it as frequently.
How do we evaluate Dehumidifiers?
We put dehumidifiers through their paces in three categories based on capacity, which is a purported measurement of how much water each model can remove from the air—a claim we verify. The models in our current dehumidifier ratings are classified as follows:
Small: Supposedly removes 20 to 25 quarts of water every day.
Medium: Removes 30 to 35 gallons of water per day removal.
Large: Said to remove 40 quarts or more each day.
A humidistat gives an accurate test for a dehumidifier. The latter shows how to achieve and maintain a particular humidity level.
In the test chamber, set at 60° F and 60% relative humidity, then measure a dehumidifier’s ability to remove moisture from the air. The latter is the daily number of pints of water reported by the manufacturer.
Engineers analyze the energy required to remove 1 pint of water from the air for energy efficiency. As a result, we use the frequency with which you’ll have to empty the tank to determine our convenience grade. We also assess and interrogate noise levels.
The results of these lab tests and brand reliability and owner satisfaction data from our CR member survey are combined to give each dehumidifier an overall score.
Changes in the Dehumidifier Aisle
A dehumidifier can remove water in 24 hours at 80° F and 60% relative humidity. The latter is indicated on some older dehumidifier boxes as 30-pint, 50-pint, or 70-pint.
However, you’ll see an increase in the number of dehumidifiers branded 20-, 30-, or 45-pint, which is what we’re rating right now. It does not imply that these models remove less water; instead, they were tested in a situation where less moisture had to be removed.
Dehumidifiers are commonly used in basements, and the Department of Energy altered its test standard to match basement circumstances by lowering the room temperature from 15 degrees Fahrenheit to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
The number of quarts of water drops since there is less water to remove in cooler air. In both the old and new tests, the humidity level is 60%.
Before You Shop, here’s What You Should Know!!!
Address existing issues
If too much moisture from the outdoors gets into your home, even the most excellent dehumidifier won’t be able to keep up.
Cleaning out gutters and ensuring that downspouts send rainwater at least 5 feet away from home can assist. Check out “How to Get the Most Out of Your Dehumidifier” for more information.
Think about where it’ll go.
In residential settings, noise can be an issue. Our measurements from 3 feet away vary from 58 to 67 dB for the dehumidifiers in our current ratings.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, normal conversation is roughly 60 dB, while a washer is around 70 decibels.
Ratings for dehumidifiers match the machine to the moisture
The quantity of moisture a dehumidifier can remove in 24 hours varies. Here are several varieties to think about.
Large-Capacity
The tested models are said to be able to remove 40 pints or more per day. They can also withstand a wider variety of humidity levels with little or no extra noise.
You might be able to run them at a lower, quieter speed. Purchase the largest-capacity model you can afford for vast, moist areas. The additional money is well worth it.
Medium-Capacity
These versions are often reported to remove up to 30 – 35 pints of moisture every day for midsized or large environments that aren’t quite as damp.
While medium-capacity dehumidifiers might sometimes be as expensive as large versions, they are usually less.
Small-Capacity
These dehumidifiers, which claim to remove 20 to 25 pints of moisture per day, can dehumidify tiny spaces that are damp but not wet.
Whole-House
You can purchase Whole-house dehumidifiers as standalone units or add-ons to your current central heating and cooling system.
According to the manufacturers, they can handle an area of up to 5,000 square feet. Although these systems are costly, the enormous amount of moisture they remove allows you to reduce your air conditioning usage.
Features that matter
The majority of portable dehumidifiers currently have comparable features. Here are the most common features you’ll come upon.
Easy-to-use controls
Electronic controls allow you to choose from three basic humidity levels—normal, dry, and very dry—while digital controls allow you to program a specific humidity level using % digits.
Restart on demand
It switches the dehumidifier back on after a power loss, which is helpful if you’re away from home and the electricity goes out.
Hose Adapter
All of the dehumidifiers we tested have a hose connection. It eliminates the need to empty the bucket by diverting the condensed water directly to a floor drain.
A dehumidifier with a pump can pump water up through a window, a slop sink, or another high drain in a basement without a floor drain.
Timer
While you’re away from home, you can schedule the unit to turn on and off using a timer. It can also save money using the dehumidifier at night in locations where electricity is less expensive off-peak.
Frost-Prevention Sensor
Most of the dehumidifiers in our reviews contain a sensor that turns them off if frost forms on the coils, which is typical in colder environments.
It prevents the unit from wasting electricity by not dehumidifying while it is not in use.
Bucket or Tank with Easy-to-Empty Capacity
It should feature comfortable handles and a cover that can be removed and carried easily once complete.
Conclusion
A dehumidifier has various health benefits. The most significant advantage is the reduction of allergies and irritants in wet parts of your home.
There’s also some evidence that a dehumidifier can help people with asthma breathe easier.
Dehumidifiers are widely available and inexpensive. Giving one a shot might make a difference in the degree of comfort you have at home.
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