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What is a Dehumidifier and Why Do You Need One?

Humidity is an inevitable factor in our daily lives. Sometimes, humidity can be overwhelming and make you feel uncomfortable. This is especially difficult when it affects the air quality in our homes. A dehumidifier may be necessary to remediate the problem and bring the home back to a more comfortable state and protect the property. In this blog post, we will discuss what a dehumidifier is, why you need one, and how to install it.

What is a Dehumidifier?

In the simplest terms, a dehumidifier is a device that reduces the amount of moisture in the air. More specifically, it works by drawing in moist air, cooling it down, and then reheating it to remove excess moisture. The air passes over evaporator coils that are at a temperature below the dew point of the incoming air. As the air passes the coils, the moisture in the air condenses into water droplets which drip into a collection tray. The drier air is then recirculated back into the home or business. Dehumidifiers can be set to keep the humidity level at a predetermined level so that the home or business stays comfortable at all times.

Why You Need a Dehumidifiermold problems

Prevents Health Problems

When humidity levels are high in a home, there is a higher chance for a variety of health issues. These issues may include respiratory problems, allergies, and asthma. Also, when the humidity is high, there is a greater chance for mold and mildew to thrive. The spores from the mold and mildew can trigger allergies and other health problems. A dehumidifier is a powerful option to reduce the moisture in the air, making it less likely for mold and mildew to grow.

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Protects Your Home

Excessive moisture can also cause damage to your home. When the air inside the home stays at a high level of moisture for a long period of time, it can lead to the paint peeling, the wood warping, along with other forms of water damage that can lead to expensive repairs. To avoid damage to the home, adding a dehumidifier can relatively quickly lower the humidity and keep these issues from happening.

Reduces Energy Costs

When the humidity level is high, it can feel warmer than normal. You may be inclined to turn on or turn up the air conditioning in order to feel more comfortable. Turning up the air conditioning may reduce some of the humidity and may also reduce the temperature making you feel more comfortable. However, there is a significant cost to running the air conditioner. A better solution may be to install a dehumidifier that can bring down the humidity in the home at a fraction of the cost of running the air conditioning.

How to Install a DehumidifierWhole House Dehumidifier Front

Choose the Right Size

The first step in installing a dehumidifier is to choose the right size. A dehumidifier’s capacity is measured in how many pints in a 24-hour period (PPD) that the unit is able to remove. To determine the correct size dehumidifier for your home, you need to consider the size of the air to be covered and the level of humidity. Field Controls offers three different sizes of whole house dehumidifiers:

  • 60 PPD model that covers 11,000 cu. ft.
  • 85 PPD model that covers 15,000 cu. ft.
  • 120 PPD model that covers 21,000 cu. ft.
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Find the Right Location

Once you have chosen the right size, the next step is to choose the right location. It is best to place the dehumidifier in a central location, away from walls and other obstructions allowing the unit to work more efficiently and remove the most amount of moisture from the room. To ensure that the unit works correctly and efficiently, the whole house dehumidifier should be installed by a licensed contractor. They are skilled in determining the ideal location for your house and will also typically install a vapor barrier.

Plug it in

After finding the right location, the next step is to plug in the dehumidifier. Portable dehumidifiers come with a 3 prong power cord that can be plugged into a standard electrical outlet. Make sure that the cord is not kinked or tangled, as this can damage the cord, reduce the efficiency of the unit and possibly cause a fire. If you are having a whole house dehumidifier installed, your HVAC contractor will place it in an ideal location close to a power source and connect it to power for you.

Set the Humidity Level

The final step in installing a dehumidifier is to set the humidity level. Most dehumidifiers come with a built-in humidistat that allows you to set the desired level of humidity. The ideal humidity level is between 30% and 50% according to saveonenergy.ca. Setting the humidity level too low can cause the air to become too dry, which can lead to other problems, such as dry skin and static electricity and higher humidity can cause the problems we discussed early.

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In Conclusion

In conclusion, a dehumidifier is essential for anyone looking to improve the air quality in their home. It can beneficial to prevent health problems, protect your home from water damage, and reduce energy costs. Installing a dehumidifier is a straightforward process that involves choosing the right size, finding the right location, plugging it in, and setting the humidity level. Anyone that lives in a humid climate should consider installing a dehumidifier.

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