A dehumidifier is a typical household appliance used to reduce humidity inside a room or a space. For example, the primary function of an indoor pool room dehumidification system is to preserve the integrity of the room’s structure by controlling relative humidity.
Humidity in the air indicates the likelihood of mildew and mold growth inside homes, and as we all know, these things have been proven to cause health risks. The humid air also makes it uncomfortable for people to stay in a room, causing excessive sweating. In addition, most the traditional dehumidifiers are bulky, and, therefore, most people have reservations about massive appliances in their homes.
About humidity levels
The relative humidity is the same as the humidity level, and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Relative humidity (RH) is an important concept to understand. Humidity is measured as the difference between the moisture in the air and the moisture that can be held at that particular temperature. Higher temperatures can retain more moisture than lower temperatures. For this reason, the humidity levels increase during the summer and decrease during the winter.
What is a Comfortable Humidity Level?
Without saying too much, 0% humidity is painstakingly low, and 100% humidity is extremely high, so what is the “perfect” for maximum comfort?
While the perfect humidity level is based mainly on personal preference, the optimal humidity range is usually between 40% and 60%. If you have any allergic reactions, chronic dry skin, if you have lots of houseplants, or if you have a child, your ideal humidity level may vary within the optimal range. Humidity levels below 40% or above 60% tend to present issues that may negatively affect your home environment.
Why buy a basement dehumidifier?
The most popular use for a dehumidifier is in the basement to remove mildew and mold that tends to accumulate in wet areas. Unfortunately, since basements either reside partially or fully underground, a basement has the ideal conditions for excess humidity. Although there are multiple solutions to this problem, a dehumidifier is one of the most preferred.
Although purchasing a quality dehumidifier will cost some money to leave your pocket, it is worth the cost. For example, when walls, ceiling tiles, and carpets get infected with mold, they need to be replaced entirely, which may involve an entire basement remodeling. However, a dehumidifier can help prevent this issue, as a humidity level of less than 65% will prevent black mold in these areas. So when comparing cleanup to dehumidifier costs, the dehumidifier comes out on top.
In addition, dehumidifiers can be completely hassle-free when connected to a hose and pump, so they may be a hands-off solution to a moisture problem. Dehumidifiers are also one of the easiest solutions to implement. It is a plug-and-turn-on appliance compared to other dehumidification techniques such as vapor barriers which require a significant amount of work to get in place while ensuring that there are no holes for moisture to leak through. Other dehumidification techniques require technical expertise and expert installation, whereas a dehumidifier is a solution that the average person can implement.
How to choose the best humidifiers
Searching for the best humidifiers for your home can be a daunting task because they come in different models and sizes. So before you settle on any of them, you need to ask yourself these questions;
What features do I want in a dehumidifier?
Most dehumidifiers come with the capacity for continuous operation and electronic controls. They also can sense relative humidity levels with automatic turn-off and turn-on as needed. However, dehumidifiers can vary widely in energy efficiency, so always look for the energy star rating.
How much space is required?
When searching for the best dehumidifiers for your home, look for information on the size and dimensions to estimate how much space it will take up.
What is my budget?
Setting a budget will help you make a choice faster. However, before you make a budget, check online to see the costs of humidifiers.
What is the capacity?
Dehumidifiers are primarily used to remove moisture. A dehumidifier’s capacity is determined by how much moisture it removes. This is determined by how much water can be removed from the air within 24 hours. The capacity can range from 25 to 75 pints. This is determined by the model selected.
Conclusion
Humidity is incredibly damaging to wood, walls, carpet, and other household components, and a dehumidifier can combat this humidity. Because basements are the most likely place in a house for moisture to seep in through the walls, putting a dehumidifier in your basement is a logical first step in fixing a moisture problem.