Use Dehumidifiers to Gain an Accurate Humidity of Your Room

Sep 12, 2013

Tags: Dehumidifiers, Accurate Humidity

Why Do We Need a Dehumidifier?

Use Dehumidifiers to Gain an Accurate Humidity of Your Room_1

Too much moisture in the air negatively impacts personal comfort, as humidity worsens health conditions like allergies and asthma. Plus, humidity can damage household items, like electronics, pianos, cameras, books and clothing.

Excess moisture causes mold, dripping pipes, peeling wallpaper, warping wood, blistering paint and musty odors. A dehumidifier helps maintain an ideal 40-50% humidity in any home.

Dehumidifier Features

Auto-off: senses moisture levels and turns the unit on and off accordingly
Signal light: shows the container is full at a glance
Shut-off: turns the unit off when the container is full
Easy to empty tanks or hose attachments: use a hose to empty water into drains
Frost sensor: keeps the unit from freezing in cold environments
Washable air filters: saves money and trips to the store while keeping your air clean
Adjustable speed fan: customize the speed to your personal preference.
Wheels for easy maneuverability: easily manage humidity throughout your home

Dehumidifier Types

Large-capacity dehumidifier These models, rated at up to 75 pints per day, tend to be the most energy efficient. They can also handle a wider range of humidity levels with little or no additional noise. And, you may be able to run it on a lower, quieter setting. For large, wet spaces, buy the largest-capacity model you can afford. The modest extra cost is worth it.
Medium-capacity dehumidifiers These models are typically rated to remove 45 to 50 pints of moisture per day--adequate for medium-sized or large spaces that are damp or wet. While medium-capacity dehumidifiers can cost as much as large models, you'll typically pay less.
Small-capacity dehumidifiers These can dehumidify small spaces that are damp rather than wet and are rated to remove roughly 25 to 40 pints of moisture per day. They typically cost the least overall.
Whole-house dehumidifiers These are available as portable units or add-ons to your existing central-heating and air-conditioning system. Manufacturers say they can handle an area up to 3,000 square feet. These units are expensive, but the large amount of moisture they remove lets you run your air conditioner less.

Choose the Right Dehumidifier

Consider where it will go
Noise is a concern in living spaces. That's about the difference between the sound of loud conversation and the din of street traffic.

New energy standards
In October 2012, federal efficiency standards for dehumidifiers became roughly 20 percent stricter, on average. Energy Star models typically have to capture about four pints of water for every kilowatt-hour of electricity used.

For large or wet spaces
The best large models remove moisture quickly and efficiently in the toughest situations, say, an especially wet basement.

For small or damp spots
A large dehumidifier will help dry a smaller space quickly, but a medium-capacity model will probably do it with less cycling, according to the industry.

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Time your purchase
New models appear in late spring and early summer, and most sales and in-store promotions occur from June through August. You might find closeout deals in the fall and early winter.

How to Use a Dehumidifier

When you turn the dehumidifier on for the first time, set it to the driest setting possible to stabilize the room's humidity. After a couple of cycles, set the unit's automatic humidistat to the setting you need.

Run the machine only when the room temperature is at or above 70°F.
Keep doors and windows closed to prevent air loss.
Keep the coils clean.
Keep the bucket clean
Always unplug the unit before cleaning.
To avoid possible electric shock, unplug the machine when emptying the container.
Maintain an unrestricted airflow. Units with vents on top may sit flush against a wall.
Look for frost on the coils. If frost collects on the coil, the air temperature is too cool to operate the machine. Frost keeps the machine from working properly.
Help reduce humidity in your home by making sure gutters and downspouts are clean and dryer vents and exhaust fans are working properly.
Plug the dehumidifier into an appropriate ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. Never remove the third prong from any plug.