Benefits Of A Whole-Home Dehumidifier

feeling hot and sticky due to high humidity levels

According to the University of Missouri, the hot and humid air associated with summer creates ideal conditions for mildew growth. Unfortunately, the presence of mildew in a house triggers respiratory issues such as asthma and wheezing. Moreover, mildew tends to leave ugly stains on surfaces. Therefore, with summer fast approaching, you should take measures to prevent mildew and poor air quality in your home. One of the things you can do to achieve this goal is to invest in a good dehumidifier, particularly a whole-home dehumidifier. Here’s some more information on this topic.

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Benefits Of A Whole-Home Dehumidifier

In this article, we discuss some of the advantages of a whole-house dehumidifier.

Mildew – An Overview

image of mildew growing on wall of a home

Mildew is a powdery type of fungus that typically grows on items with damp surfaces including, among others, food, floors, walls, and ceilings. Its color ranges from yellow to gray, to white. It is worth noting that mildew differs from mold in terms of texture and color. Specifically, mold has a slimy or fuzzy texture and its color tends to be black or green.

What Is A Dehumidifier?

In simple terms, a dehumidifier is an electrical appliance that removes moisture from the air, leaving it dry and safer for inhalation. It can be used both at home and in large-scale commercial buildings.

Dehumidifiers vary in size and are chosen depending on the size of space that requires dehumidification. For instance, a 500-square-foot house that is moderately damp will require a 10-pint per 24 hours dehumidifier, per the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).

Take note that while manufacturers mostly sell dehumidifiers separately, whole-house dehumidifiers typically work in tandem with an HVAC system. In other words, for your whole-house dehumidifier to work, you have to attach it to your HVAC system. To ensure it works properly, you should get a qualified HVAC contractor to do the installation.

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How Does A Whole House Dehumidification System Work?

The main parts of a dehumidifier include the fan, a compressor, and a storage tank. When you switch it on, the fan draws hot humid air from the atmosphere and directs it to the compressor. Here, it contracts and the moisture present in it condenses, forming droplets of water. These droplets then fall into the storage tank, and this leaves dry air flowing back into the atmosphere.

Take note that if this device runs for too long, it may suck all the humidity from the air and leave it dangerously dry. With this in mind, ensure you only run it for about 12 hours per day depending on the dampness level in your home. For safety purposes, you should maintain the relative humidity (RH) between 40% and 50% in summer, says the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In case you don’t understand how to determine the relative humidity in your house, an expert HVAC contractor will help you out.

 

Benefits Of A Whole-Home Dehumidifier

The basic function of a dehumidifier is to remove moisture from the air, and this is beneficial as follows:

  • Enhances Comfort: Too much humidity can cause your skin to feel clammy and sticky, and this will disrupt your comfort. By removing the humidity, your skin will feel better and you will enjoy some comfort.
  • Reduces Energy Bills: When your house is humid, the HVAC system will work extra hard to remove the excess moisture, and this will increase energy consumption. This means that in a drier atmosphere, energy consumption is significantly low.
  • Protects Your Belongings: Damp air basically forms stains on window frames, walls, warps the furniture and bubbles the paint. This may cost you a lot to refurbish or replace.
  • Prevents Respiratory Issues: Mildew thrives in a humid environment and causes respiratory conditions. Therefore, always keep your moisture levels in check for good health.
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What To Look For When Purchasing A Whole-Home Dehumidifier

image of a checklist depicting what to look for in a whole house dehumidifier

As mentioned earlier, dehumidifiers come in different sizes and capacities. This means that you should, first of all, evaluate your dehumidification needs before choosing a dehumidifier. For instance, if you live in a small house that is not so humid, a low-capacity dehumidifier will work just fine. Apart from capacity, other factors to consider during your purchase include, among others:

  • Whole House Dehumidifier Price: Expensive does not always translate to good quality. That said, stick to your budget when buying a dehumidifier.
  • Warranty Of The Whole Home Dehumidifier: A warranty will probably get you a replacement or repair in case your dehumidifier does not work as expected.
  • Whole House Dehumidifier Noise: Considering there is a fan involved, most old models of dehumidifiers make a lot of noise during operation. Modern models are quieter, and so, you should consider purchasing them for optimum comfort.
  • Special Dehumidifier Features: This is an important factor that should help you differentiate two dehumidifiers that have the same price and capacity. Nowadays, the common special features on dehumidifiers include, among others, automatic shutoff when the relative humidity is attained, preset option, defrosting feature, and the Energy Star label to indicate efficiency.

If you are new to dehumidifier matters and may not know how to compare different models, be sure to consult a licensed HVAC contractor. With help, you may even find a more affordable yet good-quality whole-home dehumidifier. Portable dehumidifiers are also available in the market. However, these systems will only affect the humidity levels of one room and do not offer as many benefits as the whole-house dehumidifier does.

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Conclusion

There are many benefits that come with a whole-home humidifier. Remember, you can also lower the humidity levels in your home by planting indoor plants to absorb moisture, taking cold showers, and avoiding hanging wet clothes in the house. For any help with installation, maintenance, and replacement of dehumidifiers, you should contact a professional HVAC contractor that understands how to manage indoor humidity levels with the help of a whole-house humidifier.

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