Tuesday 25 July 2017

How to choose the best dehumidifier

What size dehumidifier you should buy depends on where you plan to use it
Keep condensation, damp and mould at bay in your home with a great dehumidifier that quietly and efficiently removes moisture from the air. The best models are easy to set up, cost little to run and make emptying collected water easy.
For a full list of dehumidifier features read Dehumidifier features explained.
How much should I spend?
Typically, the more you spend, the larger the dehumidifier’s capacity and the more features it will have.
Which type of dehumidifier should I buy?
There are two main types of dehumidifier available. Both work to remove moisture from the air but use different methods to do so.
Refrigerant dehumidifiers are the most common type of dehumidifier available. Inside these units is a fan that sucks in damp air and passes it across a metal cooling plate or coils. Moisture from the air condenses on the metal plate and drips into a collection tank. The air is then warmed and re-circulated into the room. This process continues until the room’s humidity reaches the selected level.
·  Pros: Cost-effective to run, refrigerant dehumidifiers work best in small to medium-sized rooms and at room temperature. You’ll need to empty the tank of collected water, although some models come with a hose that can feed water directly into a sink or drain.
·  Cons: Refrigerant dehumidifiers can be heavy to move around and noisy in operation. Less efficient at low temperatures, they’re not suitable for use in sheds or garages.
Desiccant dehumidifier A desiccant dehumidifier works by sucking in damp air but rather than condensing moisture, it uses several layers of absorbent material to remove it before re-circulating the dryer air. Most models use heat to dry the desiccant material, which in turn warms the air exiting the machine.
·  Pros: Using filters rather than a compressor pump, desiccant dehumidifiers are much quieter in operation than refrigeration units, making them suitable for living rooms and bedrooms. Anti-bacterial filters mean allergens, dust and bacteria are removed from the air before it’s passed back into the room, and some models offer ‘continuous drainage’ using a hose so there’s no need to empty a container of collected water. They’re also lighter to move around too and can work even at very low temperatures.
·  Cons: Far more expensive to run. What size dehumidifier do I need?
Dehumidifiers come in a variety of sizes with capacities ranging from 0.5 liters to 20 liters. What size you should buy depends on where you plan to use your dehumidifier.
Typically, the bigger the room or space, the larger the dehumidifier capacity you’ll need.
When comparing refrigerant dehumidifiers, be careful to note the difference between a model’s extraction capacity – which refers the amount of water it can remove from the air per day – and its water tank capacity – how much water it can hold in its tank before it needs to be emptied.

Typically, a dehumidifier’s ability to extract moisture far outweighs the amount it can store, which means regularly emptying the water tank when using the dehumidifier for long periods. If you plan on using a dehumidifier throughout the day, look for a model that lets you attach a hose so that water can drain away continuously.

Saturday 22 July 2017

3 Benefits of a Dehumidifier

Humidity can do more harm than you might imagine — especially in humid climates, and especially during the summer months. If you don’t have a dehumidifier, you could be subjecting yourself to a lot of unnecessary discomfort and health risks.
In this Blog, we’ll guide you through the main benefits of dehumidification, what to look for in a dehumidifier, and our top recommendations for any budget.
How a Dehumidifier Can Benefit You:
In simplest terms, a dehumidifier pulls in surrounding air, strips moisture from it, then circulates it back into the room. The moisture collects in a basin that you dump out every so often (in more advanced models, the moisture can be pumped out through a drainage tube).
3 Reasons to Use a Dehumidifier
Of the many reasons to monitor indoor humidity at home, here are the most important:
·  Humidity makes you feel hotter. According to the Heat Index Chart published by the NOAA, humidity during warm and hot weather can make you feel 3 to 18 degrees hotter (when comparing 50 to 80 percent humidity).
·  Humidity encourages bacteria and mold growth. Bacteria thrive at 50 percent humidity and higher while mold thrives at 70 percent humidity and higher. Both can have a negative impact on your health and should be minimized.
·  Humidity can damage home property. Excess moisture can warp wood, peel paint, fade photographs, and corrode metal. For this reason, even if you don’t get a dehumidifier, consider getting a few moisture sensors 11 Tech Purchases You Won't Regret Making 11 Tech Purchases You Won't Regret Making Buyer's remorse is no fun -- but with these 11 tech purchases, you won't have anything to worry about. If you're on the fence about any of them, it's time to buy. Read More for your home.
All year long, the ideal indoor humidity level is between 45 and 55 percent. However, fluctuations are normal with the comings and goings of weather, so a humidity level between 30 and 60 percent is often comfortable enough for most people.
Note that excess humidity is more easily felt in the summer, and anything over 50 percent may contribute to feelings of stickiness, mugginess, and general discomfort. Therefore, if you regularly have indoor humidity levels above 50 percent, we recommend buying a dehumidifier.