In this post, we’ll talk about the benefits of a dehumidifier in a humid environment. If you still wonder why you should invest in a dehumidifier, here are the top reasons to have a dehumidifier. It’s important to know which dehumidifier to choose and to know when to use it.
1. Prevent and hinder mold and mildew growth
Like we all know, a dehumidifier is used to remove excess moisture from indoor air. Damp and humid areas prone to high moisture–such as windowsills and shower walls–are the best places for both mildew and mold to grow. These organisms do not only create musty odors and damage in your home, but they can also affect your health negatively. There are a number of health problems mold and mildew can cause that include allergies, asthma, cough, breathing problem, infections, and more. The use of a dehumidifier can help lower moisture levels in the home and work towards completely abolishing mold and mildew. However, to get the best results using this device, you must maintain indoor humidity levels between 45 and 50 percent.
2. Use it to remove dust mites
Dust mites are tiny creatures that commonly live in your pillows, mattresses, bedclothes, rugs, upholstery, and your home air. Although they don’t bite, they can irritate allergy and asthma symptoms. If anyone in your home is experiencing signs and symptoms of dust mites’ allergy, such as itchy skin, runny nose, sneezing, or watery or red eyes, it’s time you buy a dehumidifier to tackle these issues. It will withdraw all the excess humidity so that these bugs can no longer develop and thrive.
3. Stop condensation
Are you noticing condensation in some area of your home such as in the kitchen, laundry, or bathroom? If so, it is time to get a dehumidifier. It will help you get rid of dampness and mold growth that can cause wall paint to bubble and blister. A dehumidifier that comes with caster wheels will help to reduce condensation and can be easily transported from one problem area to another.
4. Live healthier
Too much humidity can worsen your health and is one of the leading cause of skin irritations, allergies, and asthma. It can block your nasal opening, cause unusual colds, and lead to difficulty breathing. Adding a dehumidifier to your home can help you breathe better in a cleaner and fresher atmosphere, which can effectively lower your risk of illness.
5. Get rid of millipedes, insects, and other pests
Small insects like silverfish and mosquitoes mostly survive in damp and warm environments. Your crawl space, laundry room, and basement are ideal breeding grounds for millipedes and other pests. They are unsightly and can cause other problems. When buying a dehumidifier for one of these areas, pay attention to the dehumidifier size and type. For your basement area and crawl space, a basement dehumidifier is suitable.
6. Prevent metal rust and warped wood
Moist places can cause metals to rust and wood to warp. Excessive moisture in the home will not only create warped door frames that are difficult to open and close, but also make hinges and other metals rusty.
If your warehouse, garage, tools, or vehicles are exposed to too much moisture, they will quickly turn rusty. To prevent and reduce all of these, add a dehumidifier wherever it is needed.
7. Protect your belongings
High moisture has been discovered to be a common cause of mold and smelly odor on your clothes, books, and bedding accessories. They will feel damp to the touch. Running a dehumidifier machine at home can help to prevent these issues and keep your home items in good condition.
How to know when you need a dehumidifier?
When you start seeing any of the signs below, you should buy a dehumidifier for your home.
- When you or family members start suffering allergies.
- Noticing frequent condensation around your windows, and other properties.
- Appearance of marks or stains on your walls or ceilings.
- When you see clusters of small mold spores and black spots. They usually grow in areas of high humidity like your bathrooms and bathtubs.
- You notice a strong musty or mildew smell in your home.
You can also purchase a hygrometer to measure the moisture in your home. A hygrometer is used to measure the level of indoor humidity. If you put the device into use and you find that your home humidity level is above 50 percent, consider using a dehumidifier.
How to choose the right dehumidifier?
Before choosing the right dehumidifier, consider the amount of moisture it can remove per day. Some machines may not work as efficiently as others. Furthermore, check the dehumidifier tank size. A large dehumidifier tank will collect more moisture and also will require more time to empty and replace. Remember to care for your dehumidifier filter properly by cleaning it or changing it once a year to enhance its performance. Do not forget to check filter prices as well.
Choosing an energy efficient dehumidifier will save you cost on electricity bills. Know that dehumidifiers create noise because of the fan that runs them. If you are buying offline from a physical store, see if you can run the dehumidifier to evaluate its noise level. If buying online, check customer reviews for their noise ratings.
Bottom line
If you are living in an environment of high humidity, investing in a good dehumidifier will be a wise step. This useful machine works effectively to provide you a healthy home atmosphere with a controlled moisture level.