Is It Essential?

Yes, a dehumidifier is an essential appliance in your home. This appliance aids in lowering the levels of humidity. An air conditioner may not reach laundry rooms or even basements; thus, a dehumidifier comes in handy.

It ensures the relative humidity level is maintained in your house. During summer, the relative humidity level should be 50%. During the winter, the humidity level should be at least 30%. Besides reducing the humidity levels, humidifiers will also save you heating costs since it will increase the room temperature by 3 degrees Celsius.

How a dehumidification machine operates

A dehumidification machine forces the humidified air over the coils, filled with a coolant aimed at removing moisture. Depending on the dehumidifier, the condensed moisture will drop into a basin from the coils, or can be pumped out from the unit. Then, drier air will be pumped back to the room.

Type of the dehumidification machine

Generally, there are two main types of dehumidifying machines; those without compressors and those with compressors.

 

Dehumidifying machines with compressors

Dehumidifying machines that have a compressor usually feature a higher performance depending on their power. To remove humidity, these dehumidifiers take out the air from the room via a filter then the air is passed over cold coils. The coils are condensed by water, and later on, the same water drips into a water tank.

Dehumidification machine fitted with a compressor is suited for areas with a high temperature. It is advisable not to use these dehumidifiers in rooms with a room temperature below 14 degrees Celsius.

Dehumidifying machines without compressors (Desiccant dehumidifiers)

These machines are equipped with zeolite, which is a desiccant material that has extensive uses. Zeolite mainly absorbs water from the air. Dehumidifiers that don't have compressors have a higher energy consumption than those with compressors.

Dehumidifiers fitted with the zeolite material are recommended for rooms that experience inadequate heating. The advantage of zeolite dehumidifiers is that their performance remains stable despite the room temperature.

The energy efficiency of the dehumidification machine

Energy efficiency is an essential factor to consider when you are purchasing a dehumidifier. Generally, if you purchase a certified unit by energy star, it will consume 15% less energy compared to other units.

Energy-star certified products will save you some cash, which you would have used in your electricity bill. To be precise, if you purchase a dehumidification machine certified by an energy star, you will save at least 175 dollars. It is advisable to research energy-efficient products you can purchase.

Noise level

Generally, noise is measured using decibels (dB). Just like when purchasing an air conditioner, you would not purchase that which produces a lot of noise. In the same case to dehumidifiers, you should consider purchasing a unit with a low noise level.

For a unit working in a small room, the noise level shouldn’t exceed 42dB while operating at its lowest speed. For powerful units operating in large rooms, the noise level should be between 44 to 54dB.

Determine the size you need

Before purchasing a dehumidifier, you should measure the width and the length of the space you would wish to dehumidify. Once you have gotten an accurate figure, you may decide whether you will purchase a portable unit or a potent unit.

The power of a dehumidifying machine is measured using pint removal capacity. Most units will work comfortably in a standard room. If your room measures between 1 sq. Ft. to 300 sq. ft., you can buy a unit that has a pint capacity of between 20 pints and 25 pints.

Suppose your room size is between 300 sq. ft. to 500 sq. Ft., a unit of between 25 to 35 pint will be ideal. For the medium-sized rooms of between 500 sq. Ft. to 800 sq. Ft., you may purchase a dehumidifier with a pint capacity of between 35 to 50 pint. For the large-sized rooms of up to 1,200 sq. Ft. a 60-pint unit will work correctly.

Drainage feature

A good unit should have continuous drainage, which enables the machine to work effectively and continuously. Continuous drainage is highly recommended for units that are installed in areas with high humidity levels.

Maintenance

It is arguably true that with proper maintenance, your unit will serve you for an extended period. Proper cleaning of a dehumidifier is paramount in enhancing its efficiency. Generally, units that are placed on the floor accumulate a lot of dust, which may cause the air filter to clog. Clogging of the filters will mitigate its efficiency.

Reduced efficiency will also lead to high energy consumption, and this will lead to an increased electricity bill. It's highly advisable to at least clean the filter once a month. This is to enable the unit to function correctly.

Ease of use

Some manufactures may manufacture units that are complex to use, but this shouldn't be the case. You should lookout for a system that you will operate with ease. The features of the unit may vary from one brand to another.

Besides the ease of use, you should also look at the dehumidification settings of your intended unit. Many units have dehumidification settings of between 30% RH to 90% RH. As such, you will be able to adjust the RH levels according to your preference.

Warranty

A warranty is essential in electronics. Always enquire from the manufacturer or the seller of the product about your warranty. Generally, a warrant will cover any defects of the unit that have occurred within a specific period.

Important points to keep in mind

You should ensure the air filter is clean. This can be achieved by regularly checking it. As earlier mentioned, a dirty filter will lead to low performance. To aid in the reduction of humidity levels, you should also clean the downspouts and also ensure the exhaust fans and vents are working in the right way.

It would be best if you always unplug the machine before cleaning. When you are emptying the container, also unplug the unit to prevent any electric shock.
 

Final thought

Humidity levels may cause discomfort, and to curb this, a dehumidification machine will come in handy. Before purchasing the machine, research more on various brands and the best one you can purchase.