A dehumidifier is an electrical appliance that functions to remove moisture in the surrounding air. Dehumidifiers are often used as a solution for dampness and musty smells caused by high humidity levels.
This article provides information on what a dehumidifier is, its uses, and the main benefits associated with it.
Read on to find out more.
What is a Dehumidifier Used For? (Purpose)
A dehumidifier is an electrical appliance that operates by removing moisture from the air to combat the excess moisture and humidity levels in a room or building.
Dehumidifiers are often used to treat dampness and musty smells caused by high humidity levels in a property. It also combats mold spores that are caused by excess humidity and moisture.
This appliance is commonly used in households or businesses, however, it may also be utilized as a part of car dehumidifiers and boat dehumidifiers.
What Are The Benefits of a Dehumidifier?
General Benefits
1. Reduce Mold and Mildew
The moist air created by a high humidity level can contribute to the risk of mold and mildew spores. This can be especially problematic in basement apartments with poor drainage, attics, or other rooms with damp walls.
The use of a home dehumidifier can combat this problem by reducing moisture levels and helping to prevent the presence of mold and mildew.
Related Article: Dehumidifier Help With Mold: How to Run and Top 5 Best
2. Water Leakage and Flooding Cleanup
The excess humidity level in the surrounding air can contribute to water leakage, which may lead to instances of flooding and potential water damage.
When this occurs, a dehumidifier can be used to extract moisture from the air, which helps reduce any future risks of water damage.
3. Prevent Musty Odors
Moisture in the air can lead to the formation of a musty smell, which may become more frequent if humidity levels are high. It is important to note that this may also be caused by other factors, such as poor air circulation and poor ventilation systems.
A dehumidifier can help reduce smells and odors in the surrounding air by extracting moisture and reducing humidity levels.
Related Article: Can a Dehumidifier Eliminate Musty Odor?
4. Alleviate Allergy Symptoms
For some people, their allergy triggers are due to the presence of allergens that can be carried by water droplets. Therefore, by reducing moisture levels in the air, these conditions can become less frequent.
However, it is important to keep in mind that this may only provide temporary relief and allergies should be treated by a doctor.
Related Article: Dehumidifiers for Allergies: Benefits, Side Effects, & How to Use
5. Minimize Condensation
The high humidity level can contribute to the development of condensation, which may result in water droplets or frost on windows and walls.
A dehumidifier helps reduce the humidity problem in the room, which can help reduce condensation and water droplets on windows and walls.
6. Reduce Pest Related Issues
High humidity levels can contribute to the development of pest-related problems, such as termites. This is because pests find it easier to thrive in moist and humid conditions.
To reduce the risk of pest-related issues, humidity levels must be kept at a minimum. A dehumidifier can help reduce humidity levels and therefore minimize the risk of pest-related issues.
7. Lower Energy Costs
The presence of excess humidity can lead to a higher risk of condensation. This is problematic because the water droplets that form as a result may cause damage to appliances like an air conditioning unit.
This also results in increased energy costs, since these devices need to work harder to function properly. Therefore, humidity levels must be kept at a minimum to reduce energy costs.
8. Reduce Dust Mites
A dehumidifier can extract moisture from the air, which helps reduce dust mites. This prevents further health problems by reducing the number of dust mites that are found in the room.
It is important to keep in mind that this may only help temporarily and should not be used as a way of dealing with an ongoing dust mite issue.
9. Improve Respiratory Issues
The presence of excess humidity can lead to respiratory issues because it provides a breeding ground for viruses, fungi, and bacteria.
Some symptoms that may be experienced as a result include coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, and difficulty breathing.
A dehumidifier can help reduce these issues by reducing humidity levels in the room. This helps reduce respiratory symptoms and contributes to better health.
10. Protect Household Items
Moisture in the air can result in damage to various household items, such as paintings and books. This is because excess humidity can lead to mold infestation or warping of the wood.
A dehumidifier helps reduce the moisture levels in the room, which lowers the risk of these items being damaged by moisture.
11. Dry Clothes Faster
A dehumidifier can be used to speed up the drying process of clothes. This is useful when you need to dry certain items such as bed sheets that cannot be dried by a conventional or standard type of dryer.
12. Improve Comfort
The humidity levels in a room can affect how comfortable you feel, which may be affected by the room's temperature and air pressure.
Moisture functions as warm air when the temperature is cold, and as cool air when the temperature is hot.
As a result, changes in relative humidity levels might affect how you feel as well as your breathing. A dehumidifier helps to relieve the discomfort by lowering the amount of moisture in the office space or crawl spaces.
13. Protect Your Valuable Belongings With A Dehumidifier
Several items in your house can be severely damaged by excess humidity. This includes paintings, books, musical instruments, and wooden objects such as furniture and flooring.
As air moisture causes these sorts of things to deteriorate more quickly, it's vital to use a dehumidifier. This not only improves your quality of life but also helps safeguard the valuables you want to keep for a long time.
14. Avoid Damage to Electronics
Several types of electronics can be adversely affected by excess humidity. These include TV, computer, air conditioner, and household appliances.
It's a good idea to dehumidify any electronics or other items that are susceptible to moisture damage. Using a dehumidifier to remove humidity problems in the air is important since it helps to prevent these things from being destroyed by dampness.
This not only protects your technology but also improves your quality of life.
15. Dry Out Your Home Spaces (Basements, Bathrooms, Bedroom)
Using a dehumidifier can help dry out your living space, including the basement as well as the bedroom. It can also dry out your bathrooms. It removes dampness from the air and helps to keep your home free of moisture that can be dangerous to your health.
This is beneficial if you live in an area that's known for having high humidity levels, especially during the fall and spring months.
Related Article: Can You Use a Dehumidifier in a Basement?
Related Article: Can You Use a Dehumidifier in a Bathroom?
Related Article: Can You Use a Dehumidifier in a Bedroom?
Dehumidifier Health Benefits
1. Dehumidifiers Help Reduce Allergy Symptoms (Dust Mites)
Excess humidity can lead to issues with allergies, such as asthma. This is because dust mites thrive in high humidity levels and contribute to a higher number of respiratory symptoms.
In addition to reducing dust mites, a dehumidifier also helps reduce other allergens that may be present in the air.
Related Article: Does a Dehumidifier Help With Health?
2. Dehumidifiers May Help Control Asthma
People with asthma can benefit from using a dehumidifier because it helps keep the indoor air quality in their homes humid levels lower. This contributes to having better health, which allows them to live a more active lifestyle.
3. Dehumidifiers Can Create a Healthier Environment
Elderly people may benefit from using a dehumidifier because it can create a healthier environment in their homes. This contributes to them living longer and being able to continue to enjoy time with their loved ones.
How Does a Dehumidifier Work?
A dehumidifier works by removing moisture from the air. One common type is known as "air-source" or evaporative dehumidifiers, which work using the cooling effect that results when water changes from liquid to vapor.
To produce this effect, the dehumidifier has a fan that sucks in humid air and then uses it to cool coils containing cold water or refrigerant. The warm, humid air then passes over these coils, causing the water contained within them (the humidity) to change into a vapor that gets removed from the air. The cooled and dried air is then released back into the room.
Related Article: How Does Dehumidifier Work? (2-Step Dehumidifier Principle)
What Is the Difference Between a Humidifier and a Dehumidifier?
The primary difference between these two types of home appliances is that humidifiers add moisture to the air while dehumidifiers remove it.
Humidifiers are often used during winter months like October through March because they create a more comfortable atmosphere indoors for people who suffer from dry skin or other respiratory conditions caused by low humidity levels.
On the other hand, dehumidifiers are mainly used during the summer months because they help reduce humidity levels indoors to make them more comfortable for living. This is particularly true of humid spaces that tend to feel stuffy or muggy, such as basements, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
Related Article: Dehumidifier vs Humidifier
What Is the Cost of a Dehumidifier?
The cost of a dehumidifier depends on its size and power. Smaller units tend to cost less than larger ones, while lower-powered models tend to be cheaper than higher-powered units.
In addition, the cost of a dehumidifier can vary widely because there are several brands on the market.
Some of the Types of Dehumidifier
Desiccant Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers that use desiccants are known as "passive" units, which means they work without fans and rely on a substance to absorb moisture from the air.
This type of dehumidifier is often used in lower-powered models or smaller ones with small water reservoirs.
Refrigerant Dehumidifier
In contrast, refrigerant dehumidifiers are "active" units that use a fan to draw air over a cold coil containing refrigerant, which then removes moisture from the air.
They tend to be more expensive than desiccant units but have larger water reservoirs and can also remove a higher amount of moisture from the air.
Peltier Dehumidifier
Peltier dehumidifiers are a specific type of refrigerant dehumidifier that uses the Peltier effect to work. They have fans and water reservoirs like other models.
It contains semiconductors called thermocouples. This allows them to cool air as it passes through, making them very efficient at removing moisture from the air.
Related Article: Dehumidifier Types: What Type for Basement, Home & Industrial?
What is a Dehumidifier? FAQ
Can You Vent a Dehumidifier?
You can usually vent a dehumidifier through the window, though some models come with an adapter that lets you connect them to your home's plumbing system.
Can a Dehumidifier Dehydrate You?
No, a dehumidifier cannot dehydrate you. It can only remove humidity from the air. However, if you are in an environment with low humidity levels for long durations, then your body may become dry and have symptoms such as chapped lips or skin irritation.
Can a Dehumidifier Be Used as an Air Conditioner?
A dehumidifier cannot be used as an air conditioner and vice versa because they have different functions.
An air conditioner cools the room by removing warm, moist air from it while a dehumidifier removes moisture which is often warm from the room.
Are Dehumidifiers Worth It?
If the relative humidity levels in your home are high, then a dehumidifier can be a valuable asset. However, if they are low, then it may not be worth it to have one.
