How A Dehumidifier Work
A dehumidifier works by drawing warm air currents into its coils with the aid of a fan. The coils are then cooled by the refrigerant, which creates a condensation effect. This process causes the dehumidifier to extract water vapor from the air. The water collects in a tank or drains out through a hose.
What Is A Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is a household appliance that reduces the amount of humidity in the air. Too much humidity in your home can cause a lot of stress and unwanted problems.
You can get a dehumidifier in different sizes. Dehumidifiers usually come in compact, medium, or large sizes. Dehumidifiers also vary in the amount of humidity they extract from the air each day.
There are several factors that will determine the type and size of dehumidifier you need.
What Does A Dehumidifier Do?
The mechanics of a dehumidifier are simple. It draws in warm air, cools it, and extracts the water vapor. This causes the dehumidifier to produce condensation. The condensate collects in a tank or drains out through a hose. The dehumidifier works by reducing the amount of humidity in the air.
A dehumidifier will help protect you and your family’s health by preventing mold and mildew. Dehumidifiers also help to remove musty odors from the mold and mildew. Also, dehumidifiers can help to reduce static electricity in your home.
If you live in an area with high humidity, a dehumidifier is something you want to have.
Dehumidifier Benefits
When trying to figure out if buying a dehumidifier is a good idea, you need to look at the benefits. A dehumidifier can impact your health as well as your comfort levels in your home.
Health Benefits
The health benefits of a dehumidifier include:
Removes or reduces allergens:
Studies show that humidity levels that are higher than 50% can attract dust mites, mildew, and mold. They are allergy triggers and can bring a host of health problems. Allergens such as dust mites, mildew, and mold spores cannot exist in a dry and cold environment. In humid climates, these allergens remain as invisible occupants and thrive. They cause allergic reactions.
Allergic reactions include wheezing, dry skin, skin rashes, and eye irritation. They also cause sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, and itching. By controlling the humidity levels, dehumidifiers can be beneficial. They can help those who have an allergy to mold growth or other allergens. This can be particularly helpful to people with asthma.
Prevents asthma attacks:
Dampness in the walls of your home causes the growth of mold. This can cause respiratory illness and trigger asthmatic conditions. Dust found in upholstery and carpets is also known to trigger asthma attacks. Strong cleaning products are allergy triggers, too. This is especially true in cases of childhood asthma.
Breathing difficulties that do not become asthma attacks can also be serious. They can cause respiratory distress. Airborne allergens and an excessive moisture level can cause chest congestion. They can disturb your sleep.
Over time these issues can become severe and affect your immune system. Dehumidifiers that also act as air purifiers can remove these allergy triggers. They can remove the growth of dust or mold and help prevent respiratory conditions.
Improves immune systems:
Did you know that allergens can also compromise your immune system? For instance, sneezing or coughing over several days can be debilitating, causing weakness. Making sure that your home has a healthy environment becomes important.
A dehumidifier helps make your home conducive to a healthy immune system.
Soothes the skin:
Allergens such as dust mites, animal dander, and pollen can trigger skin irritations. If the humidity level is over 50%, these allergens can become active and cause a lot of trouble. Eczema is one such condition. It involves skin inflammation and intense itching. It is one skin ailment that may worsen when there are dust mites.
According to studies, the development of eczema has increased by around 20% in the last few years. The bottom line is that allergens need to go. That can happen with the new advanced dehumidifiers that are now available.
Keep food fresh:
We know how harmful food can be if it has got mold in it. Stale food can also cause gastrointestinal issues. You may not notice the mold spores if they are somewhere in your home’s crawl space. You may touch mold and not realize it. But it can end up in your mouth if you touch your mouth or start preparing your meal without washing your hands.
You may feel nauseous and not even realize it’s because of mold issues. But, it can get worse. You could get stomach cramps, diarrhea, and fungal infections. Using a whole-house dehumidifier can prevent mold growth in any part of the home.
Comforts Benefits
The comfort benefits of a dehumidifier include:
Keeps insects away:
You will find small insects gravitating to a damp environment in your home. Crawl spaces, closets, and bathrooms are favorite haunts for insects. They get into your pantry, on your clothes, in your books, and lay eggs. It can become difficult to remove them all.
An ideal environment is dry and inhospitable for insects. That is where a portable dehumidifier comes in. You can move it from room to room. It helps keep the environment around you free of insects and also takes care of the moisture problem.
Reducing or eliminating musty odors in your home
Constant moisture brings with it mold and mildew. These leave a musty odor in the home. Dehumidifiers help to reduce the musty smell and leave your home smelling fresh.
Reduces the dust in your home
Dust can accumulate in your home and cause allergies to start up. When you use a dehumidifier, it reduces the dust particles in the air. You will have cleaner air and less grime in your home.
The home will be cooler
High humidity makes you feel hot and sticky. When you sweat and it is humid, your body’s cooling system doesn’t work well. But using a dehumidifier helps to remove the moisture and your body can regulate it better. You will feel cooler and more comfortable.
Helps you sleep better
High humidity makes it difficult to sleep. You will be hot and uncomfortable. Lack of sleep can affect you physically, mentally, and even emotionally. But when you use a dehumidifier and the humidity drops, you can have a good night’s sleep.
Signs You May Need A Dehumidifier
There are always signs that will let you know that it’s time to buy a dehumidifier. Signs that you need a dehumidifier include;
- Excess moisture on windows
- Damp feeling fabrics
- Musty odors
- Water stains on walls or ceilings
- Visible mold or mildew growth
When you see these things, look for a dehumidifier before the problem becomes bigger.
Types of Dehumidifiers
There are two types of dehumidifiers, Refrigerant and Desiccant dehumidifiers.
Refrigerant dehumidifiers are the most common. They work by drawing in the air over a set of coils. The coils cool to a temperature below the dew point. This causes water vapor to condense on the coils. The water is then collected in a container or drained away through a hose.
Desiccant dehumidifiers work by drawing in air over a wheel coated with a water-absorbing material. The wheel rotates through a heating element. This causes the water to evaporate from the wheel and goes out of the dehumidifier.
Which dehumidifier you choose will depend on your needs. If you need a dehumidifier for a small space, such as a bathroom, a small portable dehumidifier will work. If you need a dehumidifier for a larger space, such as a basement, you will need a larger dehumidifier.
If you are looking to protect your entire home from moisture then may need to consider a whole-house dehumidifier. These dehumidifiers are installed as part of your home’s HVAC system.
Dehumidifier Buying Guide
When you are looking into buying a dehumidifier, the best guide would be Dehumidifier Depot. We have all the information you need. There are reviews of different brands and how best to use the device efficiently.
Here is a price guide to help give you an idea of what to expect when you are looking for the right dehumidifier for your home.
