The Benefits of a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier reduces moisture in the air, which can help to prevent mildew and mold, keep fabrics from rotting, reduce allergies and other health problems, and keep pests away.
Dehumidifiers work by absorbing the moisture out of the air using a special humidity-absorbing material that can be “recharged” (heated) to drive off the excess water. The collected water is then drained away from the machine.
Removing Moisture
Moisture in the air can lead to many problems. It can make a room feel stuffy and smell musty, and it contributes to mold, mildew, and other allergens that may trigger allergies. It can also deteriorate wood and metal in homes, making it swell and warp. Humid environments can also attract pests like silverfish and centipedes. Dehumidifiers help to reduce the moisture in the air, making rooms feel more comfortable and preventing moisture damage to your home.
Dehumidifiers pull moisture from the air by drawing water molecules from the surrounding air. The rate at which they do this depends on the temperature of the air. Warmer air can hold more water molecules than cooler air. When the air cools, it can’t hold as much moisture and the water molecules will condense on surfaces like windows or walls. Dehumidifiers draw the condensation off those surfaces into a basin or other storage container to be drained away. The best dehumidifiers are easy to use, cost-effective to run and do a good job of pulling the most moisture from the air at any given time.
To get the most out of your dehumidifier, position it so that its vents aren’t obstructed and keep the dehumidifier at least a foot or two away from walls, furniture and curtains. Then be sure to vacuum it before using it to remove any collected dust and debris.
Preventing Mold Growth
Mold isn’t just unsightly, it can also be unhealthy for people. In fact, it has been linked to respiratory problems and skin irritation. That’s why it’s important to take steps to prevent mold in your home. One way to do this is by using a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers help to keep humidity levels below 50%, which is the ideal range for preventing mold growth.
High humidity is a direct cause of mold, as it creates an environment that encourages mold spores to thrive. Mold needs water, dampness and warmth in electric fan order to grow, and dehumidifiers help to limit these conditions.
Besides reducing humidity, dehumidifiers can also help to prevent the growth of other unwelcome organisms in your home. These organisms can include mold, mildew, ants and spiders. All of these organisms thrive in moist environments, and they can contribute to a variety of health issues.
In addition to promoting the growth of unwanted organisms, high humidity can also lead to structural damage in your home. For example, it can cause warping and rotting wood. It can also promote condensation on windows and electric fan wholesale cause peeling wallpaper or blistering paint. Fortunately, you can avoid these issues by keeping humidity levels low and addressing any water or moisture problems as soon as they appear. In addition to avoiding mold and mildew, dehumidifiers can also prevent allergens and other contaminants from growing in your home.
Reducing Allergens
Mold, mildew and dust mites thrive in damp conditions, and when they release their spores into the air, they trigger allergies. A dehumidifier takes the moisture out of the air, which prevents these allergens from growing and inhibits their spore releases. In combination with an air purifier, which filters and removes allergy-causing particles from the air, a dehumidifier can significantly reduce asthma and allergy symptoms.
A dehumidifier can also reduce musty odors, which are caused by excess moisture in the air and can cause problems for people with allergies and asthma. Dehumidifiers are especially valuable during the summer and in humid climates, as they can help to balance out the moisture in your home and eliminate odors.
Humid environments can also make it difficult to breathe, causing shortness of breath and coughing, according to Healthline. The reason is that humidity affects the ability to exchange oxygen in the lungs. This can lead to a variety of asthma symptoms, including wheezing and difficulty breathing.
A dehumidifier can reduce this problem by removing moisture from the air. This can make it easier to breathe, and it can also minimize the amount of dust, mold and other allergens that are released into the air. These allergens are then inhaled by people with allergies and asthma, leading to their unpleasant symptoms.
Recyclable Water
Dehumidifiers collect moisture from the air by drawing warm air over cooled coils, where it condenses and drops into the reservoir. The reservoir can be emptied and the water reused. This water is not suitable for human consumption, as it may contain traces of metals and microorganisms from the surrounding air. However, it has many useful purposes, and reusing the water can save on energy use, as well as cut down on the amount of waste produced by your home.
The distilled water created by a dehumidifier is ideal for use on plants, since it doesn’t have any minerals and therefore doesn’t require additional water softening or treatment. The water is also very soft, and this makes it suitable for orchids, which need distilled or purified water. It’s even a good choice for watering outdoor plants, although you’ll want to avoid using it on edible plants, as they may absorb the contaminants and become toxic in high concentrations.
You can also use the water in your dehumidifier to clean your floors, walls and appliances. This works especially well when you’re dealing with a heavily contaminated space, as the filtered water can help remove the buildup of dirt and debris. It’s also an excellent substitute for tap water when you’re washing delicate clothing. Another great use is to pour the water into your toilet tank before you flush — it’s less salty than your regular tap water and will help reduce the amount of freshwater used to flush your toilet.
