But why? Much like your glass of ice water, the coils are colder than the air that is immediately around them. As air cools, its ability to hold and retain moisture drops, and when the air has more moisture than it can hold, it forms that familiar condensate. Dehumidifiers typically have a drip pan or a removable bucket where the condensate collects for easy disposal—some dehumidifiers are also equipped with a built-in pump for worry-free, continuous drainage.
How does a dehumidifier work? A portable dehumidifier can consume kilowatt hours per month kWh -- that's more than your refrigerator eats up. However, it does burn less energy than the average air conditioner, which tears through about kWh per month. Also, since excessive relative humidity makes us perceive temperature as being higher than it is, keeping your home drier may lead you to reach for the thermostat less, which could result in lower energy consumption overall.
To really save on your utility bills and diminish your carbon footprint , work on maximizing your dehumidifier's efficiency. Don't keep it on all day, set the humidistat at a reasonable level 50 percent rather than 30 percent , and keep your doors and windows closed when it runs. Most dehumidifiers discharge air from the top of the machine, but if yours does not have top-mounted discharge, make sure that it's placed well away from walls and furniture to keep air circulating freely.
Keep it away from sources of excessive dust or dirt, since this can very quickly clog the machine. For that matter, be sure to check and clean your dehumidifier's filter regularly -- this will help ensure that it's operating as efficiently as possible. In addition to saving energy, you also might be able to recycle the water that your dehumidifier collects. The water that shows up in your dehumidifier's bucket is considered greywater.
That means it's not suitable for drinking, but can be great for watering houseplants and flowers, since it's less salty than tap water.
However, you should check first to see if there are any restrictions on using greywater in your area. While the benefits of dehumidifier ownership are many, there are some potential downsides, too. For one thing, cost may be an issue. Or you may just object to having a bucket of standing water sitting around in your home.
No matter what your reservations are, it's worth figuring out if you really need a dehumidifier before you take the plunge and buy one. Read on for some tips that may help you make that decision. Start by taking a look around your home. The most noticeable symptoms of excessive humidity may include wet stains on your walls and ceilings, rotting and weakened wood, mold and fungus, condensation on your windows, peeling wallpaper, blistering paint, and a generally musty, stuffy feeling.
In addition to those somewhat obvious signs of humidity, there are also some more subtle conditions you can watch out for. For example, you may want to look into a purchasing a dehumidifier if your doors, cabinets or windows are sticking, or if your floors are especially creaky. When wood absorbs moisture, it swells.
This pushes apart joints, loosens screws and nails, and generally compromises your home's strength. While your noisy stairs might be a simple nuisance now, if humidity is the underlying issue, your problems could get worse. Dehumidifiers can also help mitigate the effects of common allergies to dust mites, fungus and mold; if the air in your home is excessively moist, it can encourage the growth of these allergens.
Even if you don't have allergies, preventing mold growth is a good reason to consider getting a dehumidifier. Mold only requires a bit of moisture to grow, and it can set up shop in your home as soon as one of its airborne spores finds a hospitably damp surface. A mold problem in your home can cause serious illness.
And once it shows up, mold is a pain to eradicate and can permanently stain or damage whatever it's decided to live on. The easiest strategy is to just keep it from showing up at all.
You can also use a dehumidifier to discourage insects from moving in with you. Roaches, silverfish, spiders and centipedes all love a moist environment. Keeping the air in your home relatively dry will drive away those unwanted tenants.
Additionally, if you've got a cold or a particularly bad, congested cough, using a dehumidifier may free up your breathing and help you sleep better at night. As you can see, there are plenty of good reasons why you might consider using a dehumidifier. To find out more about these devices and related topics, follow the links on the next page. Even if you don't have a dehumidifier, there are some things you can do to help keep humidity from damaging your house. Promptly repair leaky plumbing and faucets, patch cracks in your home's foundation, and try to keep your gutters clean.
This can prevent moisture from seeping into your home. In areas like the kitchen or bathroom -- always trouble spots for humidity -- try turning on an exhaust fan or opening a window before you cook or take a shower. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Once a healthy humidity level is reached, the dehumidifier can be used to simply maintain this.
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