What Is A Dehumidifier For
What is a dehumidifier, you might ask? A dehumidifier is an electrical appliance that reduces moisture levels in the air. It’s for health or comfort reasons. It removes the musty odor and prevents mildew from developing by removing water from the air. Dehumidifiers can be used for both household and commercial purposes.
What Does A Dehumidifier Do?
A dehumidifier sucks in air from your room, takes the moisture out of it, and then blows it back into the room again. Pretty much the same way a vacuum cleaner works. Instead of sucking up dust, it collects moisture. This drips through into a collection tank that you must empty from time to time.
It can act as an air purifier. It reduces the risk of respiratory conditions and other common allergy triggers. Once you know the humidity range in your home, the dehumidifier helps remove excess moisture in the air. Humidity levels can vary depending on where you live. Weather conditions and air circulation also play a role.
In an ideal environment, humidity levels between 30% and 50% would be good. But, around 45% would be the best level for a comfortable and healthy environment. A healthy humidity level is anything less than 50%.
A dehumidifier can ensure moisture levels are lowered and stay within the acceptable range. Some dehumidifiers also come with a hygrometer that allows you to see the relative humidity in your home. This makes it easy to adjust the dehumidifier to the desired level.
We know that too much moisture in the air can cause many problems. These problems will affect not only your health but also your homes. It can cause poor health for your family, and it can damage the structure of your home.
So it makes sense to use a dehumidifier and prevent musty smell, allergen growth, and respiratory disease. Get one with a built-in humidistat which is a device that works to automatically regulate the quality of moisture in the air to keep the humidity level consistent throughout the house.
Dehumidifier Benefits
Health Benefits
Removes or reduces allergens
According to studies, humidity levels greater than 50% can attract dust mites, mildew, and mold. They are allergic triggers that can cause a variety of health issues. Dust mites, mildew, and mold spores cannot thrive in a dry, chilly environment. These allergens thrive in humid situations because they are invisible tenants. They trigger allergic reactions in people.
Wheezing, dry skin, skin rashes, and eye irritation are all allergic symptoms. Sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, and itching are also symptoms. Dehumidifiers can help by managing the humidity levels. They can assist people who are allergic to mold or other allergies. This is very beneficial for 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 severe. 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.
The immune system improves:
Did you know that allergens can weaken your immune system as well? Sneezing or coughing for several days, for example, can be taxing and cause weakness. It is critical maintaining a healthy environment in your home.
A dehumidifier makes your home healthier for your immune system.
Soothes Skin:
Allergens, including dust mites, animal dander, and pollen, can irritate the skin. These allergies can become active and cause trouble if the humidity level rises above 50%. Eczema is one of these ailments. It causes severe itching and skin inflammation. It’s a skin condition that can worsen when there are dust mites around.
According to studies, eczema development has increased by roughly 20% in the last few years. The basic line is that allergies must be eliminated. With the latest advanced dehumidifiers on the market, this is a possibility.
Keeps food fresh
We all know how dangerous mold-affected food can be. Stale meals can also cause gastrointestinal problems. If mold spores are present in your crawl area, you may not see them. You could unknowingly touch the mold. If you touch your mouth or begin preparing your meal without first washing your hands, it may end up in your mouth.
You may get nausea without realizing it is due to mold. But things might become worse. Stomach cramps, diarrhea, and fungal infections are all possible side effects. Mold growth can be prevented in any part of the house by using a whole-house dehumidifier.
Comfort Benefits
Keeps insects away
Small insects prefer damp environments, which you can find in your home. Crawl areas, closets, and toilets are favorite places for insects. They lay eggs in your pantry, on your clothes, and in your books. It can become challenging to remove them all.
An ideal setting is dry and insect-free. A portable dehumidifier can help in this situation. You can move it from one room to another. It keeps the area around you insect-free while also addressing the moisture issue.
Reducing or eliminating musty odors in your home
Mold and mildew thrive in humid environments. These emit a musty odor throughout the house. Dehumidifiers aid in the removal of musty odors and leave your home smelling fresh.
Reduces the dust in your home
Dust can build up in your home, triggering allergic reactions. When you use a dehumidifier, it reduces the dust particles in the air. Your home will have better air and less filth.
Cooler home
You will feel hot and sticky due to the high humidity. When you sweat and it’s humid outside your body’s cooling system struggles. However, utilizing a dehumidifier helps remove the moisture, allowing your body to manage it better. You’ll feel lighter and more relaxed.
Improves your sleep quality
High humidity makes sleeping difficult. It will be hot and stuffy for you. Sleep deprivation has physical, mental, and emotional consequences. You can get a decent night’s sleep if you use a dehumidifier and the humidity reduces.
How A Dehumidifier Works
There are two types of dehumidifiers, refrigerant, and absorption.
Refrigerant dehumidifiers
This dehumidifier uses pretty much the exact mechanism as your home refrigerator. A cold metal plate on which moisture from the air condenses cools the air that comes in contact. A fan draws the room air over to the cool metal plate(s), and the moisture condenses as it comes in contact with the plate. The condensed water droplets that form drip into a water tank in the dehumidifier. The relative humidity in the room reduces to normal levels, and the unit will then turn to standby.
Refrigerant dehumidifiers are most effective at typical room temperatures. But I have noticed that their performance declines when conditions are cooler. This decline is from ice crystals forming on the metal cooling plates (coils).
Upon further reading, I have noted that once the temperature falls below 65°F/18°C, there is a fall inefficiency. After this point, you need a higher-performing unit that tends to push up the price after this point. So if you need a dehumidifier to use in a room with low temperatures, this may not be the best option to pick.
Absorption dehumidifiers
A wheel composed of the desiccant turns through the incoming air stream and absorbs moisture using the desiccant. A proportion of the wheel passes through a stream of warm air during the rotating period. It “reactivates” the desiccant moving away from the moisture. In the dehumidifier storage tank, condensed water pints collect or drain out via a drainage hose. This dehumidifier unit is generally smaller and lighter than the type of refrigerant.
The adsorption dehumidifier can function at much lower temperatures than a refrigerant unit. This is the ideal unit to have for those of us who live in cold areas. If your conditions are like mine, you might want to consider this type of dehumidifier. I must note that adsorption dehumidifiers are high-energy users. You are usually consuming 600-800 watts of energy per hour. And the technology is still very unreliable, but they are working on improving energy efficiency
Signs You Need A Dehumidifier
If you are suffering from allergies related to dampness, you may need a dehumidifier. This is based on signs of high humidity in certain rooms or areas within your home, including:
- visible water stains on the walls or ceilings
- Rooms with high humidity, inadequate ventilation, or no ventilation
- When you see condensation on windows in certain areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms
- The presence of mold spores growing on the walls and other areas, such as the bathtub or shower
- Must or mildew smells
- You may also want to consider a dehumidifier if you live in an apartment.
Choosing A Dehumidifier
When choosing a dehumidifier, there are several factors that come into place.
- Placement- where you will be using the dehumidifier will determine the size and type of dehumidifier you need.
- Humidity level- the humidity level in your house will also determine the dehumidifier capacity you need. The higher the moisture, the bigger dehumidifier you will need.
For assistance in choosing a dehumidifier, visit Dehumidifier Depot
Final words
Dehumidifiers can be a life-changing appliance to have. Your home will become healthier and more comfortable. Even your property and valuables are safe from water damage. It would help if you found the right dehumidifier for your moisture problem.
