Looking for a solution to damp or mould in your home? This article will help you to find out how to choose a dehumidifier - a cost-effective and instant-results solution for homes that suffer from excess moisture, humid air and damp or mould problems.
What is a dehumidifier?
The first thing you need is just a brief background on what a dehumidifier does. This will help you to choose the best type of dehumidifier for your home and your lifestyle.
Dehumidifiers are designed to remove moisture from the air. There are two types of dehumidifier: Refrigerant dehumidifiers and dessicant dehumidifiers. The most common types are refrigerant or condenser dehumidifiers. These draw in air which then passes over cold coils. When the air touches the coils, the excessive moisture in the air condenses and the water droplets fall into a built-in water tank. You can also buy drainage dehumidifiers, where you can attach a drainage pipe to the dehumidifier and put it in a sink or drain so that you can keep the unit running without needing to empty a tank.
A good quality dehumidifier can remove litres of moisture from the air in your home every day. It costs less than £3* a day to run in most circumstances, and modern designs mean you can put a unit in any room in your home without worrying about how it looks or how much noise it makes.
Our top tips for how to choose a dehumidifier for your home
Based on our experience and the feedback from thousands of customers, we've put together a handy guide to help you pick the best dehumidifier for your needs. If you have any questions or concerns, we're always here to help you make a decision - just contact us on 01483 234900.
Tip #1 - Know why you need a dehumidifier
There are quick a few ways you can remove moisture from the air in your home before you invest in a dehumidifier. Often, this moisture occurs because there is inadequate ventilation in your home. So make sure you use extractor fans in your bathroom and kitchen, open windows to let humid air out, avoid drying washing indoors if you can, and check that appliances like showers, washing machines and tumble dryers are draining properly.
Tip #2 - Decide which type of dehumidifier you need
As we said above, there are two main types of dehumidifier. The refrigerant dehumidifier is the most commonly used, but homeowners do also choose the dessicant version, which passes the air over material, which absorbs the moisture. Dessicant dehumidifiers are often chosen by people who have cooler homes, so need less moisture removing from the air. They are also often quieter because they don't have the cold coil operation. If your home is warm and you have problems with condensation and mould, we would recommend a refrigerant model.
Tip #3 - What size dehumidifier can you afford?
Dehumidifiers are cheaper than you think to buy and run. Prices usually depend on the size of the dehumidifier, and that is driven by how much water it can extract over a given period of time. Dehumidifiers come with different sized water tanks, suitable for a variety of sizes of rooms in your home. For example, the Meaco home dehumidifier range starts at an eight litre water tank, rising to a 25 litre tank. This gives homeowners plenty of choice in terms of size and budget.
Tip #4 - Portable or fixed dehumidifiers?
If you have problems with humidity levels in a particular room in your home, you may want a larger unit that sits in that one room. If, however, your home suffers from high humidity in general, you should choose a portable dehumidifier that's easy to move from room to room. Make sure you look at the portability of the dehumidifiers you consider so that you can make the most of your investment.
Tip #5 - Must-have dehumidifier features
Do you want a timer on your dehumidifier? Would it be helpful to have a unit that turns off automatically so that it is energy efficient? Do you want to set target humidity levels so that your unit is working hard for you? Take the time to check the various features available on the types of dehumidifier you are considering so that it can do all the things you need it to.
Tip #6 - Does the dehumidifier improve air quality?
Some dehumidifiers include HEPA filters which help to purify the air. This is particularly important if you have anyone in your home who suffers from allergies or is prone to asthma. Check if the dehumidifier you are considering also improves the air quality in your home.
Tip #6 - Can the dehumidifier remove dust mites?
Dust mites are a problem in many homes, living in fabrics, carpets and bedding and often causing allergy and breathing problems. Modern dehumidifiers are designed to help remove dust mites from your home, helping to improve the health of you and your family.
Making the best choice for your home
Depending on the square footage of your home, you can choose a compact or slightly more heavyweight dehumidifer to help rid your home of excessive moisture, reduce damp and prevent mould. For example, our 25 litre Ultra Low Energy dehumidifier is designed to work in a variety of conditions - from five-bedroom houses to commercial operations. In a flat or smaller space, it's actually more economic than a tumble dryer for handling your washing.
When you're choosing your dehumidifier, do think about the size of your rooms and the size of your home. Consider how much you suffer from high humidity, and think about how energy efficient you need the dehumidifier to be. All these variables will help you to decide on the best model for your home.
And we are always here to help - there's plenty of advice and reviews on our dehumidifier pages, and you can contact us on 01483 234900 with any questions that you have.
*Accurate as of October 2022 from Energy Saving Trust
Products featured: 25 litre Ultra Low Energy dehumidifier ,Meaco home dehumidifier range