Summary

High humidity levels create different issues throughout your household which include mold growth, allergies and uncomfortable environment. The temperature regulation functions of your HVAC system cannot match its limited capability to manage humidity levels in your home space. That's where dehumidifiers come in. The purpose of dehumidifiers is to control indoor air moisture and create healthier environments with considerable comfort improvements. In this article, you will get to know what dehumidifiers are, how dehumidifiers work and when to use them in your home. Because understanding dehumidifiers can greatly assist in addressing numerous indoor issues within your home.

Table of Contents

• How Does a Dehumidifier Work?
• Types of Dehumidifiers
• When Do You Need a Dehumidifier?
• Benefits of Using a Dehumidifier to Improve Indoor Air Quality
• How to Choose Best Dehumidifier for Your Home?
• Dehumidifier vs. Humidifier vs. Air Conditioner: Which One Do You Need?
• Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Dehumidifier

How Does a Dehumidifier Work?

Dehumidifiers maintain room humidity levels by drawing air from the room over a coil cooled to a very low temperature by a refrigeration system. This way dehumidifiers produce extreme living environments where allergen-causing organisms and dust mites and mold cannot survive thus preventing damage to home structures and furniture. Dehumidifiers are also effective in discouraging pests like roaches and silverfish that thrive in moist conditions. They can also improve breathing conditions for people with colds or respiratory issues.

Dehumidifiers utilize two fundamental approaches for extracting moisture from air distribution. First one is cooling, where air is cooled to condense moisture, and desiccant, where absorbent materials draw moisture from the air, commonly used in industrial or low-temperature settings.

Types of Dehumidifiers:

Refrigerant Dehumidifiers

Refrigerant Dehumidifiers are the most common type found in homes. Dehumidifiers use a refrigeration cycle similar to air conditioners, using a fan to draw moist air over cool coils, causing water vapor to condense and drip into a collection tank. They're most effective in warmer environments (above 65°F/18°C) and are generally more energy-efficient for removing excess moisture from the air.

Desiccant Dehumidifiers

Instead of refrigeration, desiccant dehumidifiers use a desiccant material (similar to the silica gel packets found in product packaging) to absorb moisture in the air. They perform well in cooler temperatures and can operate effectively down to 33°F/1°C, making them ideal for dehumidifying unheated spaces in winter. They tend to use more energy but can reach lower humidity levels than refrigerant models.

Whole-Home Dehumidifier

These systems integrate with your HVAC system and can control humidity throughout the entire house. While more expensive initially, a whole-house dehumidifier provides consistent humidity control without the need for multiple portable dehumidifiers and often operate more efficiently in the long run.

Portable Dehumidifier

These smaller units can be moved from room to room as needed. Many dehumidifiers come with wheels for easy transport. A portable dehumidifier is ideal when you need to dehumidify your home one room at a time or focus on particularly damp areas of your home like a bathroom or basement.

Comparing Different Types of Dehumidifiers

When Do You Need a Dehumidifier?

Certain living conditions naturally lead to higher humidity, such as humid climates, areas with high rainfall, and flood-prone regions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor humidity levels should be maintained between 30% and 50%. When relative humidity rises above 60%, conditions become ideal for dust mite reproduction, mold, and mildew growth that can affect the structural integrity of your home.

Properties with poor drainage, newly constructed homes (due to moisture from building materials), and homes with limited ventilation also tend to have higher humidity. A simple hygrometer can help you check indoor humidity levels, and if readings are consistently high, a dehumidifier may be the solution.

You may need a dehumidifier if you notice:

• Condensation on windows or walls
• Musty or moldy odors
• Visible mold and mildew growth on walls, ceilings, or in corners
• Water stains on walls or ceilings
• Peeling wallpaper or paint
• Damp areas in your bathroom or basement
• Allergic reactions that worsen when indoors due to dust mite proliferation

Benefits of Using a Dehumidifier to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Health Benefits

• Reduces allergens: Dehumidifiers reduce the number of allergens in the atmosphere by controlling humidity, which helps mold prevention and manage dust mites, both of which can trigger asthma and allergies.
• Improves respiratory health: Using dehumidifiers effectively improves respiratory health because they eliminate congestive moisture which worsens respiratory condition symptoms.
• Decreases skin irritations: The presence of mold together with dust mites in humid conditions can lead to skin irritation problems.

Home Protection Benefits

• Prevents mold damage: When humidity levels remain below 60% mold will not damage walls, ceilings and furnishings.
• Protects structural integrity of your home: Consistent humidity levels prevent wooden floors, furniture, and structural elements from warping in damp conditions.
• Preserves electronics and appliances: Excess moisture from the air can damage electronic components and accelerate corrosion.

Comfort and Energy Efficiency

• Increases comfort: The natural cooling effect will increase at lower humidity levels regardless of temperature measurement.
• Works alongside air conditioning: Dehumidifiers can reduce the need for air conditioning by making the air in your home feel cooler. For every 2% reduction in relative humidity, you can increase your thermostat setting by about 1°F without any reduction in comfort, potentially saving on cooling costs.
• Speeds drying times: The clothes along with towels and other items dry faster when the indoor air stays dry.

How to Choose Best Dehumidifier for Your Home?

The water removal capacity during a twenty-four hour period represents the primary measurement method to determine dehumidifier capacity. A dehumidifier of small capacity measuring between 20-30 pints serves as a perfect solution for managing moisture in spaces of different sizes. A medium capacity dehumidifier with 30 to 50 pints handles spaces between medium and large sizes that have high humidity while large capacity models exceeding 50 pints operate in both big rooms with excessive moisture and total home dehumidification situations.

Customers need to determine the area size before purchasing a dehumidifier to decide its suitable functioning capacity. Larger machines need selection based on room dampness levels and ceiling height requirements because higher heights require bigger machines.

Features to Consider When You Buy a Dehumidifier:

Look for dehumidifiers with helpful features like automatic shut-off (to turn off when the tank is full), a continuous drainage option (to avoid emptying the tank), and a built-in humidistat (to maintain your desired humidity). Digital controls allow for precise settings, while an air filter removes particles. Noise levels vary, but for bedrooms, aim for models that operate under 45 decibels.

Tips for Using a Dehumidifier Efficiently:

Where to Place Humidifiers for Best Performance?

• Position the unit at least 6 inches away from walls for proper air circulation.
• Place the dehumidifier centrally in the space for maximum efficiency.
• Keep doors and windows closed while the dehumidifier is running.
• For a bathroom or basement dehumidifier, ensure adequate electrical outlets are available.

Dehumidifier Maintenance Requirements:

• Empty the water collection tank regularly (unless using continuous drainage).
• Clean or replace the air filter monthly.
• Wipe dust from air intake and exhaust grilles where humid air enters and dehumidified air exits.
• Check and clean the condensation coils annually.

Some Energy Efficiency Tips:

• Use a timer to run the dehumidifier during off-peak electricity hours.
• Set the humidistat to 45-50% rather than lower settings.
• Choose the right dehumidifier size for the space to avoid excess energy use.

Dehumidifier vs. Humidifier vs. Air Conditioner: Which One Do You Need?

While these appliances all affect indoor humidity, they serve different primary purposes:

Air conditioners focus on cooling the air while secondarily removing some humidity. They're most efficient when you need both temperature and humidity control.

Dehumidifiers focus only on removing excess moisture without cooling the air. In fact, they can slightly warm the air due to their operation. Additionally, dehumidifiers are more efficient than air conditioners at removing moisture.

Humidifiers do the opposite of dehumidifiers. They add moisture to the air when it becomes too dry, typically during the winter heating season.

For many homeowners, the ideal solution is using different appliances seasonally: air conditioning during hot, humid weather, a dehumidifier during cool, damp periods, and a humidifier during dry winter months.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Dehumidifier

Sizing Errors

• Undersized units: Struggle to keep up with moisture removal needs, run continuously, and have shorter lifespans
• Oversized units: Shut off the dehumidifier too frequently, using more energy and providing less consistent humidity control

Maintenance Oversights

• Forgetting to empty the water tank that collects moisture from the air
• Neglecting filter cleaning, reducing efficiency and air quality
• Ignoring coil cleaning, which decreases performance over time

Operation Errors

• Running with windows or doors open, allowing more humid air to enter
• Placing the unit against walls or furniture that block airflow
• Setting humidity levels too low (below 30%), which can make air too dry

Seasonal Adjustments

Many homeowners fail to adjust their dehumidifier settings seasonally. Indoor humidity levels fluctuate throughout the year, requiring different settings:

• Spring/Fall: 45-50% relative humidity
• Summer humid climate: 50% (when using air conditioning)
• Winter: 30-40% (to prevent condensation during heating season)

Count on us for HVAC help

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