Does Your Home Need a Dehumidifier?
Dehumidifiers can be very beneficial for certain climates. In highly humid parts of the country, the water in the air can cause lots of problems— even inside homes. High levels of humidity can cause dangerous mold growth, allergies, mildew, structural damage, and poor air quality. Humidity can also attract dust mites and other unwanted invaders, not to mention making you and your family feel uncomfortable in your own home.
In this article, you’ll learn about the benefits of installing a dehumidifier, what kind of maintenance to expect. You’ll also discover how dehumidifiers work and what exactly they are. So, if you’re not sure that purchasing a dehumidifier is right for you, you’ll have an answer by the end of this article.
What Exactly Is a Dehumidifier, Anyway?
A dehumidifier is an appliance that reduces humidity in a home, room, or other building. There are several different size options available, from large commercial dehumidifiers to small portable ones. Dehumidifiers work by drawing humid air into the machine and removing that humidity and sending the air back into the room. The air is initially pulled into the dehumidifier via a fan inside the appliance. Once the moist air is in the machine, it passes over refrigerant-cooled coils. This causes the moisture in the air to condense onto the coils, thereby removing the moisture. The air is then sent back into the room, lower in moisture content.
Unfortunately, most portable dehumidifiers don’t work well for large areas in high-humidity climates. Instead, the best option is a whole-home dehumidifier. They cost more than portable units, but only because they are much more effective and require less maintenance. Installation is performed by HVAC professionals. Essentially, the dehumidifier is attached to your home’s existing HVAC system, to help it remove moisture from your whole house. Installation is fairly quick and can work wonders for your comfort and even your wallet.
Amazing Dehumidifier Benefits
The main reason people install dehumidifiers is comfort. They’re sick of being sticky, stuffy, and uncomfortable. Humid homes also like to collect allergens, like mold and dust mites. Installing a dehumidifier can work wonders for any allergic member of your family. If you live in a high-humidity area, the wood in your home could be slowly rotting due to the moisture in the air. A whole-home dehumidifier can help ward off moisture-related destruction, including peeling paint, rotting wood, mold, and mildew. Another big benefit of installing a dehumidifier is the help it gives your wallet. Many people find that they have to run their air conditioner much less often when they have a dehumidifier helping.
They also find that they spend less money on repairing moisture damage around the house. Not to mention the cost of health problems that mold and mildew can cause.
Simple Dehumidifier Maintenance
Unlike portable dehumidifiers, there’s not a whole lot of maintenance required for a whole-home dehumidifier, aside from normal HVAC maintenance. Changing your filters regularly helps HVAC and dehumidifier systems function properly. Plus, scheduling annual maintenance for your whole AC system is a good idea whether you have a whole-home dehumidifier installed or not. Regular maintenance prolongs the system’s life, saves money, and prevents emergencies.
About Boutwell’s Air Masters
Serving Pensacola, Florida, since 1973, Boutwell’s Air Masters have been restoring comfort and quality to homes with pride. All their technicians are trained and up-to-date on the latest advancements. Their customer service is excellent, and their reviews tell the tale of a thoroughly professional company.
