Dehumidifiers 10 Legit Reasons to get one

You’ve probably heard that indoor relative humidity levels need to be kept at a certain range, but do you know why? Sure, humidity can help keep our skin nice and supple, but going overboard is just as dangerous as going slightly under. Below, you’ll see 9 legitimate reasons why your family needs a dehumidifier.

1. Helps Control Asthma

When moisture particles go airborne, the air becomes heavier and thus harder for us to breathe in. This can exacerbate the symptoms of asthma patients who already have enough to deal with. A dehumidifier snatches those particles out of the air and makes it easier on our lungs. The mugginess in the air dissipates slowly but surely while running a dehumidifier.

Even though more research is needed to draw a definite line between the effects of dehumidifier on asthma, we know that excess moisture can lead to a range of respiratory problems—all of which will not do any favors for asthma patients.

2. Reduces Mold and Mildew Growth

Mold and mildew thrive in humid environments. This is most likely why basements, after floods or heavy rains, typically have brown or green spots growing all over their walls and ceilings. Mold spores are a common allergen that induces sneezing and wheezing episodes, but by removing moisture from a room, mold spores have less of a reason to hang around.

If you don’t know why you’ve been coughing, sneezing, wheezing, have itchy eyes, or experience nasal ingestion too often, high indoor humidity levels may be the culprit. Getting a dehumidifier is a quick and inexpensive solution to combating the various effects of mold on human and household health.

3. Reduce Dust Mites

While we’re on the topic of allergies, another common household allergen in dust mites. Environments with 50 percent relative humidity or higher can become the perfect breeding grounds for these microscopic pests from inhabiting our beds, upholstery, carpets, and anywhere in between. The problem of dust mites is so urgent that some manufacturers produce dehumidifiers to suppress dust mites’ growth.

4. Saves Furniture and Floorboards from Warping

Excess moisture and wood are sworn enemies. Whatever wooden item you have at home—TV stand, dinner table, bookshelves, etc.—is prone to becoming waterlogged and rotting from the inside out.

Don’t think for a second that microscopic moisture particles in the air won’t settle and accumulate in wooden furniture. Consider using a dehumidifier and a waterproof sealant on your floorboards and furniture to prevent moisture damage.

5. Saves Drywall from Disintegrating

Drywall is especially susceptible to water damage. Excess indoor humidity caused by rain or summertime heat can end up on and inside drywall. The effects of moisture on drywall include rotting, discoloration, and/or mold growth. Unlike concrete walls, removing mold from drywall isn’t as simple as scrubbing the surface clean; you’ll need to replace the panel entirely.

If your house was constructed in the last 120 years, or if you recently replaced concrete walls for a more versatile drywall, a dehumidifier can save you the heartache of having to replace water-logged panels on a regular basis.

6. Reduces Musty Odors

This is a side-effect of having hidden splotches of mold and mildew growing behind bookshelves or inside of drywall. Higher relative humidity levels invite mold to grow, which can remain hidden for months at a time, allowing them to release foul smells until you’ve tackled the problem.

For most homes, “tackling the problem” means replacing entire drywall panels, but with a dehumidifier, you could have avoided the headache and wallet-ache completely. If you catch a whiff of musty odors in your living room but don’t know where it’s coming from, odds are your home is too humid.

7. Removes Condensation

Those droplets of moisture running down windows aren’t as innocent as they may seem. As moisture particles accumulate, they deteriorate wooden window frames, leave hard-to-remove stains on drywall and porcelain, and cause wallpaper to peel.

And, as we already know, when moisture gets trapped in wood or drywall, it can lead to devastating effects—both on your health and on your wallet. By getting a dehumidifier, condensation droplets don’t have much time to linger and settle in for the long haul.

8. Improves Air Purifier Performance

Many air purifiers and air filtration systems come with an activated carbon filter. This filter serves to remove odors and volatile organic compounds from the air, leaving your home’s indoor air less musty and easier on the lungs.

However, heightened relative humidity levels can hamper the overall performance of the activated carbon filter by saturating the mesh with water and clogging the porous material. A wet filter doesn’t just reduce filtration capacities but also becomes a breeding ground for mold, dust mites, and bacteria, which the air purifier shoots back into a room.

9. Helps Dry Clothes Quicker

We know that dehumidifiers dehumidify the air, but what good does dry air do for our laundry? Plenty, apparently. During the cooler months when sun-drying your laundry outdoors is no longer feasible, you most likely end up hanging your clothes in the basement or your laundry room.

Excess moisture from the washing machine and dryer in confined spaces can make it harder for clothes to dry. By removing moisture from the air, your sopping-wet laundry can dry out more quickly and with a reduced risk of attracting mildew and dust mites.

10. Lowers Cooling Bills

Here’s something homeowners across the world should know about humidity. A humid home is a lot harder to cool. Denser moisture particles displace warm air at lower heights, and your air conditioner will have to work overtime in order to cool these waterlogged molecules to a comfortable temperature. The longer your air conditioner is on, especially during peak hours in the summer, the higher your utility bill.

The simple solution is getting an energy-efficient dehumidifier to take over most of the air conditioners’ job. By removing water vapor from the air, your air conditioner can focus solely on cooling the air. The end result is reduced temperatures to a comfortable level in less time.

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Krystal Morrison
 

I create this blog to share my daily tips about home improvement, children, pets, food, health, and ways to be frugal while maintaining a natural lifestyle. Interested to be a Guest Blogger on my website? Please email me at: [email protected]

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