Dehumidifier - How to Buy a Dehumidifier and Take Control of Your Environment

TYPES OF DEHUMIDIFIERS

A whole house dehumidifier will eliminate humidity throughout the home and is attached to your furnace system. Some are fully automatic and many come with gages similar to those for your furnace and air conditioning system mounted on your wall. If you are interested in a whole house dehumidifier, it is best to consult several professional contractors. It is also possible with many newer heating and cooling systems to include a dehumidifier system.

Pros

• You can adjust with the changing of the seasons. 
•  The drainage system is connected to your home's drainage so you do not have to worry about emptying collected water. 

Cons

• You do have to clean it occasionally.
• It is expensive to install.  Installation must be completed by a professional contractor and not all heating systems are compatible.

Small and portable dehumidifiers are versatile as well as less expensive than whole house dehumidifiers. Be sure to choose a small, portable dehumidifier that is designed to "fit" the size of your room. You will need to calculate the square footage and most manufacturers provide a sizing chart on the packaging. Be sure to consult it to determine if the dehumidifier will operate properly in the size of your particular space.

Pros

• Can range in size from sitting on a table or stand to floor standing.
• Many may be easy to pick up and relocate to another room.
• May have wheels making relocation easier.
• You can even store them away during seasons that you don't need them.
• Inexpensive and easy to locate.

Cons

• May need more than one in separate rooms in the home.
• They can be loud.
• Have to empty the collection pan in some models.
• Making sure that you purchase the correct capacity for your space and temperatures.

HOW DOES A DEHUMIDIFER WORK?

There are four basic methods used by dehumidifiers to remove and collect the moisture, as well as warm the room. There are mechanical or active dehumidifiers, desiccant or passive humidifiers and thermo-electric cooling humidifiers. The most commonly known is the mechanical model.

Mechanical dehumidifiers

Highly efficient they are simply air conditioners with both the hot and cold coils in the same box. A dehumidifier removes the moisture in the air using a fan to blow the warm, humid air onto cold metal coils. The water that results is dripped into a collection pan or bucket within the dehumidifier. The cold air that results from removing the water is then passed over warm coils to bring it back to room temperature.

Mechanical dehumidifiers use two types of technology to remove moisture from the air - thermo electric or compressors.

• Thermo-Electric Cooling: This method uses an electrical current between two metals that causes one side to heat up and the other to cool down, similar in effect to compressor dehumidifiers. 

Pros

• There are no moving parts.
• They are quieter to run than other types of dehumidifiers. 
• They are effective as a small capacity dehumidifier.

Cons

• Less energy efficient that a compressor system.

• Compressors: Use technology similar to that used in air conditioners and are the most common. A fan pulls the "wet" air or moisture by passing it over coils in which there is compressed air or refrigerant moving. The air moves across the cool coils causing condensation or water, which falls into a collection bucket. The dehumidified air then passes over hot coils and flows back into the room. 

Pros

• This type of dehumidifier is that it is one of the most common types.
• Easier to find.
• Easier to service.
• Very effective.

Cons

• It can be very loud.
• In many cases is not energy efficient.

• Desiccant dehumidifiers: This type of dehumidifier is named for the use of "desiccative" substance, which is simply put, chemicals, to dehumidify the air. These chemicals have an attraction for water vapor and naturally absorb water. There is no compressor, and the packets of desiccant matter are used to absorb the humidity in the air. This process and chemicals are similar to the little packets you see in medical and health supplies. 

Pros

• They are  less expensive than mechanical
• They are best used in areas of the home and regions that with low temperatures and relatively low humidity levels.
• Best used in small spaces; suggested spaces in the home to use them in include closets and crawl spaces. 

Cons

• not as efficient   

WHAT FEATURES SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN A DEHUMIDIFIER?

There are some basic features that you will probably desire in your new dehumidifier. While not all of them are essential, you will find that this list of features will make your use of the dehumidifier not only more efficient, but easier too.

• A power (on/off) switch: not all come with one and it may not always be convenient to unplug from the main socket.
• A frost sensor that automatically shuts the system off if it gets too cold.
• Variable fan speeds: This way you can adjust how fast or slow the air is being circulated.
• Low noise levels: as much as we hate to hear our dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, the noise from a dehumidifier right in the room can be just as if not more annoying.
• Allergy suffers especially will appreciate an air filter. In some cases you can even get a deodorizing filter or washable filter. With a washable filter and consistent care, you can go a little "greener" with your choice as well as replace them less often.
• A built in humidistat. This is a meter that measures the humidity levels, allowing you to keep the air in the room from becoming too dry.
• A continuous drainage system for the water that is built up would be nice, but most will not be able to put the expense into that sort of system. As an alternative, consider a dehumidifier with an auto shut off feature when the drainage pan is too full. This prevents "flooding" or overflows of water from the system. Dehumidifiers with front loading buckets are easiest to use.
• A visual indicator when the pan is getting too full - even if you have the auto shut off switch. With this feature you know when to empty the water from the system before accidents occur.
• Wheels: If you are going to purchase a larger unit or especially if you plan on moving your dehumidifier from room to room.
• Carry handle, to make movement from room to room easier.

 You may also decide you want your dehumidifier to have more than one function, such as adding a space heater or fan to the system. 

WHERE CAN YOU FIND DEHUMIDIFIERS?

Most home improvement stores, such as Lowe's, Home Depot, and Ace Hardware carry most major brands of dehumidifiers. You may also purchase them at major department stores such as Wal-Mart, Sears and Target. Home appliance stores such as Best Buy also offer a variety of name brand options.

Read dehumidifier reviews before you buy:

• Frigidaire Dehumidifiers
• Gold Star Dehumidifiers
• Whirlpool Dehumidifiers

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PURCHASING A DEHUMIDIFIER

• Placement:  Where in the room will your dehumidifier be placed? Some units have an air vent on the top of the unit making it possible to place it against, the wall.  But if it has the air vent on the side, you need to place it away from walls and furniture.

• Energy Star rating:  The energy efficiency of dehumidifiers is measured in liters of water removed per kilowatt hour. A higher number of liters removed during the hour means the dehumidifier is more efficient. A list of dehumidifiers that are energy star rated can be found at energystar.gov. 

• Home humidity conditions:  A chart is available on the website for The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), which helps you determine the recommended pints capacity of your dehumidifier taking into consideration your home humidity conditions. For example sections of your home such as the laundry room or crawl space may require a different capacity of dehumidifier than say a bedroom or living area. This helpful chart can be found on the U.S. Government Energy Star website.

TIME TO BUY YOUR DEHUMIDIFIER

With careful research and planning you can purchase an effective, energy efficient dehumidifier that has the features you will need to provide you with comfort in your home, relief from allergy and/or sinus suffering, and home improvements and décor that will last longer and more beautiful. Careful consideration of your personal needs and those of your family as well as the features you desire is absolutely necessary in determining which dehumidifier you purchase, before you buy it. Do your research, ask friends and family which products they enjoy, and use the helpful resources included in this guide and on the Energy Star website to begin your search for a more comfortable home for you and your family.