The Benefits of a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier extracts excess moisture from the air, lowering relative humidity to a comfortable level. It’s a great option for keeping your home safe, protecting your belongings, eliminating dust mite infestation and potentially reducing your energy bill.
Moisture causes wood to warp, metals to rust and creates musty smells. A dehumidifier can keep your home smelling clean and fresh while helping to protect expensive furniture, tools and other possessions.
Reduces Allergies
Moisture in the air can cause allergies to flare up. Mold, mildew and dust mites thrive in humid environments, which can lead to itchy eyes, sneezing, congestion and other allergic reactions. Dehumidifiers help to reduce allergens in the air by removing excess moisture, creating a drier environment that discourages these contaminants from growing and helping to prevent allergies from flaring up.
Using a dehumidifier can also minimize the presence of microscopic dust mites, which are another common allergen. These tiny organisms, which live on dead skin cells, thrive in moist conditions and can trigger allergic reactions in people. Keeping humidity levels below 50 percent with the use of a dehumidifier will help to minimize their numbers, according to research by The National Center for Biotechnology Information.
Dehumidifiers can also help to reduce the presence of pollen, which is another common allergy trigger. By lowering humidity levels, it becomes less difficult for the body to breathe, making it easier to get a good night’s sleep. As an added benefit, dehumidifiers can also protect sheets, clothing and expensive electronics from damage caused by moisture in the air. A dehumidifier is also a great tool for those with asthma, as high humidity levels can make breathing more difficult. The lower humidity in a home can help to ease symptoms of asthma, according to Healthline, including coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
Prevents Mold Growth
Mold is more than just an unsightly nuisance; it’s a major health hazard. It thrives in damp environments and releases spores into the air that can trigger asthmatic attacks for those who are affected. A dehumidifier will help to limit mold and mildew in the home by reducing excessive moisture.
Like any living organism, mold requires food, proper conditions and water to grow and thrive. It consumes organic materials such as leaves, decaying plants and wood for nourishment. It also requires warm, moist and dark environments to thrive. When these conditions are present, the fungus can spread quickly to other areas of the house.
When the humidity is high, the fungus tends electric fan to spread more easily to damp materials and areas where there’s been water damage. Leaking pipes, water damage to walls and ceilings, sink leaks and even condensation can all lead to a damp area that’s ideal for mold.
A dehumidifier will reduce the relative humidity in a space, making it harder for mold to survive and spread. However, it won’t kill mold if the spores have already grown. That will require a mold killer, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. The best way to ensure that the fungus is eradicated is to use a dehumidifier in conjunction with a mold killer to remove the existing mold and prevent new growth.
Saves Energy
A dehumidifier does require electricity to operate, but how much energy it consumes depends on three main factors – its size, its energy efficiency rating and your power provider’s price per kilowatt-hour. In general, the larger a dehumidifier is and the more efficient it is, the less it will cost to run.
Dehumidifiers are more energy-efficient than air conditioners because they work by removing moisture from the air, rather than cooling it. This is done through condensation. However, they can still waste a lot of energy if they aren’t operated correctly. To maximize their efficiency, dehumidifiers should be placed away from walls and furniture to allow air to circulate freely. They should also be kept clear of dust and dirt, which can clog filters and wear down important components.
In addition, if a dehumidifier is located in a basement, it should be raised a foot or two off the floor so that water can drain continuously from it. This will help prevent it from becoming flooded, which can damage the unit and the contents of your home.
A dehumidifier will also save you money in the electric fan wholesale long run by preventing costly repairs caused by excess moisture. Moisture can rot wood, cause metals to rust and warp floors and doors. It can also lead to cracked foundations and basement leaks, which can increase humidity in other parts of your home. Using a dehumidifier can reduce humidity to safe levels that protect your belongings and prevent mold growth.
Recycles Water
A dehumidifier removes gallons of water from the air each day. Most of this gets poured down the drain, but it doesn’t have to. The dripping water can be used for everything from washing the dishes to watering plants, making your home greener and saving money on your utility bills.
Most dehumidifiers work by drawing warm air over cooling coils to cause humidity to condense into liquid. This is then collected in a reservoir. The dirt from the coils and other parts of the dehumidifier make this water unsafe for human consumption, but it’s still suitable for cleaning and other household uses.
Some dehumidifiers use a desiccant material to absorb moisture from the air instead of using cooled coils. This method is more effective at lower temperatures and requires less energy, but the desiccant must be recharged with heat on a regular basis. This can be a problem for large spaces where it takes hours to charge the material.
Dehumidifier water isn’t safe to drink, but it is safe to use on plants. Just avoid using it on plants you’ll eat as the traces of contaminants in the water may transfer to your food. This isn’t a problem for plants that are grown in containers and aren’t intended for harvest, but it’s best to play it safe.
