Dehumidifiers are a great way to remove excess moisture from your home and reduce the risk of condensation and mould. Their benefits include reducing odours, decreasing the risk of respiratory irritation, and their lack of a disruption to daily life.
So, when do you need a dehumidifier? If you start to notice a build-up of condensation on your windows or mould on your curtains and behind furniture, it may be a good time to invest in a dehumidifier. Take these preventative tips to reduce your levels of condensation in the home first.
First off, let’s look at the different types of dehumidifier and which one would be best for your needs. There are two different kinds of dehumidifier: desiccant and refrigerant.
Desiccant: Much more suited to cooler temperatures. As air passes through the dehumidifier, the moisture is absorbed by a desiccant material, such as silica gel or granules. The moisture collected is then removed by the addition of heat, causing evaporation. The desiccant material is then ready to collect more humidity.
Refrigerant: Probably the most common type of dehumidifier and work in higher temperatures, such as occupied homes. They condense moisture from the air and then cool that air within the dehumidifier, passing over cold coils to turn it into condensation. This water is then collected and removed, whether through a extractor or manually by removing the water tank.
Your choice of dehumidifier really depends on the size and type of the room you wish to use it in. If you’re looking to reduce humidity in your garage or conservatory, choose a desiccant dehumidifier, and if you require one inside your home, choose refrigerant.
Dehumidifiers also differ in size; smaller ones such as 0.5 litres for box rooms or caravans, and larger ones, up to 20 litres, can help your entire home. Dependent on the size and brand of the dehumidifier affects the price, which can vary from extremely reasonable (around £40) to the higher end of the scale (up to and above £400).
There are other important factors to think about when purchasing a dehumidifier too. We’ve compiled a checklist below to ensure you make a smart investment:
Design: if your dehumidifier will be visible, make sure you choose something that fits with the aesthetic of your home, such as this Ebac 6200, which features wood panelling
Sound levels: having a dehumidifier is vital in some homes, but so is peace and quiet. When choosing one, make sure you check the loudness of the product to be certain it’s something you can put up with
Price: dehumidifiers vary in cost and higher prices don’t necessarily mean better quality; Which? has reviewed a number of different brands here, which allows you to make an informed decision without testing the products yourself.
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