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The Science Behind Dehumidifiers

If you are wondering what a dehumidifier is, or how it works, you aren’t alone.  These units come in a variety of shapes, sizes and types. It can be helpful to know how they work and understand what they do, and to know if you need one in your home.

What Do They Do?

A dehumidifier is an appliance or accessory for your living areas that you will use to reduce or maintain the level of humidity in the room you are in.  The experts from https://www.knowitalllearning.com/quiet-dehumidifier-reviews/ reveal a variety of reasons why dehumidifiers are used, including to lower and reduce condensation, prevent mold, and stop your rooms from smelling musty or damp.  Aside from residential uses, you might see or use large commercial humidifiers for businesses and buildings that might have moisture problems or issues like swimming pools and ice rinks.

How Do They Work?

Dehumidifiers basically are used to lower the humidity or balance humidity levels in rooms, homes and buildings.  This is done by removing the water from the air as the air passes through the dehumidifiers.  There are two types of dehumidifiers: 

Condensate Dehumidifiers

Condensate dehumidifiers use a refrigerator to separate and collect the water from the air, with some units being designed to dispose of water through vaporization.  Otherwise you can simply use the water, deemed gray water, for things like watering plants or flushing toilets.  

Absorption Dehumidifiers 

Absorption dehumidifiers on the other hand will remove the water from the air and have it attach to materials like water attracting gels, cartridges, and powders.  These can be more commonly found in smaller, cheaper units you might use in smaller places and rooms in your home.

What is Greywater?

Gray water is the water that has been used but is still considered usable.  Unlike water from your toilet or used to wash dishes, which is labelled “Black Water”, gray water can still be reused.  It is, however, not safe to drink as although the water may have passed through the filtration system in your dehumidifier unit, it is not safe for consumption as the filtration is not as thorough as industrial filtration systems.  

Why Do You Need One?

You might need a dehumidifier if you see frequent condensation building up on your walls or windows.  This condensation can be troublesome structurally, creating weak points in your home. Additionally, that water build up can lead to things like mold.  If not taken care of, that can pose serious health concerns. If you have water build up, you might smell a musty odor which might make your home uncomfortable to live in as well.

What Are The Benefits

 

  • Health Benefits

 

The benefits of using a dehumidifier in your home, place of work, or anywhere that water can build frequently has a lot to do with health.  Some of the issues related to water and condensation build up can lead to problems like the growth of mold, mildew and fungus.  All these growths can release different spores into the air which has been linked to problems involving your breathing, including allergies, asthma, and other long term heart and lung issues.  Mold can be especially dangerous to younger and much older individuals as well as those with respiratory issues. Keep your home and your air safe and consider having a dehumidifier if you have problems with condensation buildup.

 

  • Property Value

 

In addition to health benefits, if you plan on reselling your home, the value of your home will increase or remain strong by preventing these molds, mildews and fungus from building up.  Having to deal with such issues can be troublesome on your time and money. And if you ever wanted to resell it, even in the event you have taken care of the problem, depending on how long ago you had to deal with the issue, you have to disclose that information to the buyers.  This can knock off a lot of value from your home. Even if you don’t want to sell your home, it is a good idea to prevent these problems for the long term maintenance of your home.

 

  • Maintenance

 

In order to ensure that your dehumidifier is working at its peak ability, you want to make sure to clean it frequently.  This means that you need to be removing the water from the collection tank to assure no microorganisms settle and grow in your tank and eventually being harmful to the surrounding areas.  Additionally, you should make sure to change the filters in the dehumidifier unit regularly, and clean any ducts or vents free of dirt and dust. These frequent habits will keep your dehumidifier running at an efficient rate.

Humidifiers are not necessary everywhere and not everyone needs one.  Understanding can be a little piece of interesting knowledge. But also knowing what they do, and how it is done might help you know if you need one or not.

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