You may be struggling with damp and think – bingo! I’ll just go online and buy a dehumidifier.
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Ant.
Then you discovered the sheer number of confusing (and sometimes expensive) options out there. You realise you have no idea how to choose a dehumidifier.
Never fear – we’re here to help you. Read our easy, actionable guide to buying a dehumidifier, and fix the damp problem in your home.
Damp in your home! This is a huge problem in a cold, wet climate like the UK, and since warm air can hold more moisture, the use of central heating increases the chance of damp build-up too. With damp often comes black mould. This is not only extremely unsightly but also potentially dangerous for your belongings – and your health! The cause of this problem is usually too much moisture in the air (high humidity) and poor ventilation, which results in lots of condensation. High humidity results in problems like:
The necessities of everyday life, including heating, cooking, showering, ironing and drying clothes add to humidity! But you can’t stop doing these things.
What to do?
First, make sure there are no leaks inside your home. If there is a leak, this is probably the primary cause of your damp and you need a professional to fix it. A dehumidifier won’t help.
Detect a leak: Damp detectors are electronic devices that tell you if there is damp inside your walls. You can also just use your hand to see if the wall is damp. If you think the leak is coming from your water mains, contact your water supplier.
Perhaps you are suffering from some allergies and sneezing or coughing a lot. Maybe you have noticed some signs of high humidity like:
If you notice any of these signs, you might have a problem with too much humidity. Basements, bathrooms, kitchens and attics are hotspots for high humidity.
NOTE: Mildew spots are different from mould. Mildew can be easily cleaned with standard cleaning materials and a scrubbing brush. Black mould is more insidious and can be more difficult and costly to remove.
These may be signs you need a dehumidifier, but not necessarily. The first step is to test the humidity in your home using a hygrometer, taking note of the visual signs.
Hygrometer: It’s a digital device that measures humidity in the air of a room. You can buy one for less than £10.
The ideal humidity level is between 30-50% in summer, or 30-40% in winter.
If your hygrometer shows humidity above 50%, try to remove the root cause of the humidity first. The prevention method depends on the severity of the problem, the time of year, and the location of the dampness.
If the problem is in the bathroom, the solution could be as simple as opening the window when you have a shower. If the room is a damp basement, simply heating the space might be enough to dry out the air. Tips for reducing humidity:
Some of these solutions may not be possible for you, or the problem is too severe. But it’s not the sort of problem you can comfortably ignore.
Black mould starts to grow at 50% humidity. Prevention is definitely better than cure when it comes to black mould. Buying a dehumidifier is a good way to prevent the conditions that lead to its growth.
A dehumidifier is a device that reduces the relative humidity in the air. Some trusted brands are Ebac, Delonghi and Meaco.
Next, learn how dehumidifiers work.
There are three main types of dehumidifier. The type you choose will depend on what your purpose is for the dehumidifier.
Peltier dehumidifiers work by pulling in damp air over the front of a cold heat sink. As the air passes over the cold surface, it condenses. The water released from the condensed air then drips down into the water tank and the dry air is released back into the room.
Refrigerant dehumidifiers (also known as compressor dehumidifiers) work in a similar way to your fridge. They use a fan to draw in air and pass it across extremely cold coils. Water condenses on the coils and drips into the water tank.
Finally, the air is reheated and pumped back into the room as warmer, drier air. This reduces the relative humidity in the atmosphere.
They differ from the peltier dehumidifiers above as they use a built-in compressor to cool down the coils as opposed to just the electric current from your mains. The compressor allows for coils of a much larger size to be chilled, and this larger surface means a lot more water can be condensed and collected.
Desiccant dehumidifiers work by using a ‘desiccant’ chemical to ‘absorb’ moisture from the air. A fan draws the wet air into the dehumidifier where it is passed over the desiccant. The desiccant moisture absorber is held on a slowly rotating wheel.
Part of the wheel not being used is then heated up so that the moisture drips out into the water tank.
It then reheats the air and pumps the dried air back into the room. This reduces the relative humidity in the atmosphere.
That’s it!
Next, read on to decide what size dehumidifier you need to buy.
We’re not talking about physical size here, but the amount of moisture a dehumidifier can remove from the air in 24 hours. Domestic dehumidifiers come in different sizes - anywhere from 250ml up to around 20 litres for a domestic model. If it sounds like a lot, you’d be surprised at how much water the air actually contains. The smallest size capacity dehumidifier would be around 0.25 - 1.5 litres. These are useful for a small single room, boat or caravan. The capacity size you need depends on:
One thing to note is dehumidifier models are tested in ideal drying conditions and not in a real life environment. This means the true rate at which they extract water is probably slower than advertised. The rate also depends on environmental air temperature and humidity, so use it as a rough guide only. Increase in size if:
It’s important to choose the right size because this impacts how much money you will need to spend buying a dehumidifier and the running costs of your unit (dehumidifiers can be expensive to run!).
Environment Conditions Less than 100 Square Feet 150 Square Feet 300 Square Feet 500 Square Feet 600 Square Feet Square Feet Mild Damp 250 ml /day 250 ml /day 1 L/day 10 L/day 12 L/day 14 L/day Moderate Damp 250 ml /day 500 ml / day 8 L/day 12 L/day 16 L/day 18 L/day Severe Damp 5 L /day 7 L/day 12 L/day 14 L/day 18 L/day 20 L/day Drenched 7 L /day 8 L/day 14 L/day 16 L/day 20 L/day 25 L/dayChoose the right size using this table. For peace of mind, we’d always recommend buying the largest dehumidifier you can for your space.
Another feature of the dehumidifier you’ll need to consider is the size of its water tank. This determines how quickly it fills up and how regularly you need to empty it.
Your dehumidifier’s water tank collects the moisture it extracts from the air. The tank is usually smaller than its daily capacity.
If you buy the right size dehumidifier, you won’t need to empty the tank that often. Generally though, the larger the tank, the better – especially if you won’t be around much to empty it.
Compressor and desiccant dehumidifiers also tend to have continuous drainage hoses too. This allows them to operate constantly without worrying about the tank getting full.
One factor that affects the ideal size of your dehumidifier is the difference between the two main types of dehumidifier – compressor/refrigerant and desiccant. We explain which situations they’re suited to, and compare the pros and cons of each.
Compressor dehumidifiers (also known as refrigerants) are usually designed to remove between 10L and 25L of moisture per day. These are ideal for dehumidifying areas of your home that are approximately room temperature and not too cold. In order for a refrigerant to work efficiently, the temperature in the room must be above the temperature of the coils in the dehumidifier. This means they will not work their best in a cold basement, garage, conservatory or caravan.
Ideal temperature range: 15-30°C Suboptimal performance: 10-15°C Poor performance: 5-15°C Will not work: Less than 5°CPros
Cons
Example use case: A three bedroom house with an average temperature of 21°C, using central heating in winter. You have a damp problem from household activities such as showering and clothes drying, and want to dry out the area very quickly.
Desiccants are recommended for colder environments like garages, conservatories and basements as they work at lower temperatures. Since they do not use a cold surface to condense and collect water like a compressor dehumidifier, they are much more efficient in cold environments. These tend to have a capacity of 7-12L.
Pros
For more Desiccant Dehumidifier Supplierinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Cons
Example use case: The temperature of the area is very low (below 10°C) such as a cold garage in winter. In this case, a desiccant dehumidifier with a smaller capacity than a compressor (8L versus 20L) will significantly outperform a larger capacity compressor dehumidifier.
Peltier models are suitable for smaller spaces and you should not expect them to work at the same efficiency as desiccant and compressor models. They have a smaller capacity of around 0.5L - 1.5L and work very well for the purpose they’re designed for. Like compressor dehumidifiers, they will not work well in conditions below 15°C. Ideal temperature range: 15°C or above
Pros
Cons
Example use case: A small space bedroom that suffers from window condensation and a few spots of mildew are starting to appear. The temperature is quite warm and does not usually fall below 15°C.
You may be wondering, is a dehumidifier expensive to run?
Running your dehumidifier is likely to add anything between a few pounds to a couple of hundred pounds to your yearly electricity bill. It all depends on what type of dehumidifier you buy and how much you use it. For example, a peltier unit can cost as little as £5 per year to run, but of course they’re not as powerful as a compressor. Compressors are costlier to run than desiccants. At the same time, dehumidifiers also save you a lot of money. The financial benefits of having one are:
Buying a dehumidifier saves on your electricity bill because:
As long as you use your dehumidifier efficiently and only when you need it, you’re likely to save money on overall costs – or at least, break roughly even. Here are approximate energy consumption amounts for the three different types of dehumidifier:
Type Power Rating* Per Hour Per Day † Per Week Peltier - 500ml 23W £0.01 £0.04 £0.28 Compressor - 10L 230W £0.04 £0.48 £3.36 Desiccant - 8L 650W £0.10 £1.20 £8.40 * approximate power rating across the industry.
† based on 12 hours a day using the Average rate of 15.41p/kWh for a unit of electricity.
Investing in a dehumidifier has potential to save you money, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. You could end up wasting money if you don’t use it correctly. Increasing energy efficiency reduces running costs, and it’s better for the environment too. So what should you do to increase energy efficiency?
We recommend looking at the energy factor of your dehumidifier, which is the number of litres of water it removes from the air per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity used. The more it removes per kWh, the more efficient your unit is.
So you’ve found a dehumidifier that’s the right size, and it’s energy efficient to. It’s now time to get down to the details. Dehumidifiers have a number of features that you should acquaint yourself with. If you’re likely to need any of these features, be sure to choose a model that includes them.
For example, if you will not be around much to turn off the dehumidifier, automatic shut-off is essential. Similarly, if you want it to run when you’re not there to empty the tank, such as in a basement, choose one that has continuous drainage.
Now you’ve got your dehumidifier, what’s the best way to use it?
If you are drying out a room for the first time, you’ll need to use your dehumidifier for longer. That could be anything from 8-hours, to 24-hours, to several days depending on the humidity of the area and capacity of your dehumidifier.
Once you have reached a target baseline humidity (eg 50% humidity), you will only need to use it for 2-4 hours per day to maintain that level. You will not necessarily need it at all times of the year. It depends on the conditions of your home. If your humidifier features an adjustable humidistat then as long as you set it to your desired humidity level, it should only turn on if the humidity level rises above your target.
And what is the best setting to have a dehumidifier on? Set it to your desired humidity, which should be between 30-50% in summer, and 30-40% in winter.
Clean the air vents with a soft brush to prevent dust build up.
A dehumidifier is for life, not just for Christmas. They need regular maintenance. Some things you will need to do are:
If you take care of your dehumidifier properly, it should last for a long time. Sometimes, though, things do go wrong.
As with all domestic products, the manufacturer or retailer should provide a warranty with your dehumidifier. If anything goes wrong within this period, they should repair or replace it free of charge.
You might need to keep the proof of warranty, the receipt, and possibly the original packaging for the product. Put it somewhere safe so you’ll be able to find when you need it.
Normally, the warranty is for 12 months. Sometimes you may have the option to purchase extended warranty, so you’re covered for longer.
Many people can be put off buying a dehumidifier because they attribute it to being a large investment.
If you are worried about the cost and only need to dry a small space, mini dehumidifiers typically cost between £30-60. These are referred to as peltier or thermo-electric models and will extract anything from 200ml to 1 litre per day. They also use very little electricity - making them cheap to run.
Larger dehumidifiers that use either a compressor or desiccant typically cost between £100-£250. The more powerful they are, the more they tend to cost (though not always, which is why you need to do your research).
If you buy the right size dehumidifier for your needs, you will make the most of your budget. Remember, buying the right dehumidifier for you now will save you money through reducing damp, and drying/heating the air, all of which can be costly to deal with if left untreated
To conserve energy and lighten the load on your wallet, choose your dehumidifier on the basis of the size, dampness and temperature of the space you need to dry out.
It’s important to note that dehumidifiers can pose a fire risk if faulty. Some models have been recalled due to overheating.
No models should be on the market that have been recalled, but beware of these models if you’re thinking of buying one second hand.
Brand Model Number Year Recalled Argos 10 L DHMD102 Dimplex DXDH10N / DIMOC - DH212 B&Q Airforce 20 L BQDC20 Boots Mini Dehumidifier 47-15-187 DH30 Drydamp to Ebac 880e starting withYou have everything you need to buy a dehumidifier that suits your need, and all within budget.
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Choosing a dehumidifier is a task filled with jargon and acronyms - we're here to simplify it!
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Like heating and air conditioning systems, dehumidifiers have become crucial components of conventional homes. Most of us prefer humidity levels in the mid 30% area, and over 45% can be hazardous to our home and health. Here are some important things to consider in choosing the best dehumidifier for you and your family.
A dehumidifier is a type of home appliance that is used for minimizing the level of humidity indoors for various purposes. It removes excess moisture from your air, which can otherwise lead to mold and mildew growth. The long term health detriments from these allergens can be substantial. Dehumidifiers are utilized to promote better indoor air
Sunpentown SD-70Equality. They come in a variety of styles and sizes to effectively meet various standards and requirements of homeowners. Dehumidifiers are also used in other areas such as offices and industrial workplaces to maintain the quality of tools, equipment, and furniture.
A typical dehumidifier works by sucking in the surrounding air through a fan. This high humidity air then passes through the cooled coils of the unit and goes through condensation. Through this process, moisture is effectively separated from the air; it is then collected into a reservoir. Clean and moisture-free air is then dispersed back into the room via the dehumidifier’s reheater.
Most areas experience high humidity at least occasionally during the year, and outside humidity can directly affect the indoor levels. Areas that are not properly ventilated will also be prone. Daily activities like cooking, drying clothes, and hot showers also contribute to humidity. High humidity can lead to:
High humidity can be detrimental to one’s health. It promotes the growth of bacteria and keeps our bodies very hot. When humidity levels are high, we have to sweat a lot more to expel the same amount of heat. Furthermore, high-humidity environments are perfect for the development of mold and mildew. The quality of your wooden furniture can also deteriorate due to humidity. Paint peeling and foul odors can also be direct events of excessive humidity. Dehumidifiers help treat all of these issues and more.
It’s hard to keep up with all of the different variations of dehumidifiers. There are different types for residential, commercial, and industrial users. No matter your situation, keep the following factors in mind:
Capacity and area of coverage – As mentioned earlier, the size of a dehumidifier is directly related to its processing capacity, usually measured in how much moisture it can extract in 24 hours. The larger the dehumidifier, the better it will do its job against a large area. The following information, from AHAM, can help you find the capacity you need:
By: Eugene Ravitsky
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