Adding a dehumidifier to your home rather it be a portable or a centrally based system can not only clean your air but also help those who are suffering from allergies and asthma. If you are a sufferer from asthma then you know how touchy things can be. The air in your home has to be as clean as possible or else you may have a flare up.
As an example, a former co-worker of mine had twins, a boy and a girl. Both of them suffered with extreme asthma symptoms from an early age. There were multiple hospitalizations over the year. They’re teenagers now and they still struggle.
In order to ensure that their home had the cleanest air possible their father installed a centralized dehumidifier. Along with this he bought a highly rated MERV air conditioner filter to ensure that all possible allergens were removed. The combination of these two improved the air quality in their home substantially.
What does a dehumidifier do?
You see a dehumidifier does just that, it removes humidity from the home. A home with excess humidity can have a host of problems including dust mites, mildew, fungi, and even mold. The mold can get really bad if it is untreated. It can grow on the floor, walls, and curtains. In some cases it can get so bad that mold begins to grow on your bedspread and even on your clothes. As you can imagine, this wreaks havoc for people who have allergies or who have trouble breathing.
Installing and running a dehumidifier will remove the humidity from the room and prevent these types of allergens from taking hold in your home. Along with removing these agitants a dehumidifier will also reduce the dust accumulation throughout your home and will actually extend the life of perishable foods such as cereals or bread.
In most cases the dehumidifier is very quiet when it is running. The majority of the time you won’t even notice the appliance running in the background. Along with all of that improved air while running a dehumidifier you also get increased comfort. I’m sure you have all heard that a dry heat is much better than a wet heat. The same applies within your home. Seventy-four degrees will feel a lot nicer if the humidity is low.
Lastly, running a dehumidifier in your home will take some of the strain and workload away from your central air conditioner. Your air conditioner does it’s best to remove humidity from your home as well and by adding your own dehumidifier you are saving work for your air conditioner. This will result in a longer last central air system and cheaper monthly energy bills.
Do I Need One?
All of the above being said, you may not need a dehumidifier especially if you are not suffering from any allergies. Yes, dehumidifiers have a lot of benefits but many homeowners never end up not getting one. It is really a choice up to you.
There are however instances where you should purchase a dehumidifier. If you do not purchase when you see these kinds of symptoms then you are actively hurting the quality and the longevity of your home. You should keep an eye out for areas of your house that show water stains on the ceilings or wall. Look for areas that have small black spots growing on walls or in other places such as bathtubs or showers. Also look for signs of frequent condensation on windows in specific areas of your home. All of these can be signs of excess humidity in your home. By running a dehumidifier in a room or in your whole home you can resolve these symptoms and prevent them from getting any worse.
If they are left unchecked then the mold, mildew, and even just the dampness from the water in the air can collect into the wood of your home. Overtime the wetness from the excess humidity will began to degrade the wood… yes even the support beams. This is obviously a cumulative effect over many years, but the possibility is still there.
If you are living in an apartment or condominium you may also consider getting a dehumidifier. This is because in most cases your air conditioner and ductwork are interconnected to your neighbors. You may have a perfectly clean apartment, but they may not. Adding a dehumidifier will help prevent mold or other allergens from taking root in your apartment.
Conclusion
Well, what do you think? Are dehumidifiers for you, or will you continue without one? If you have decided to move forward with a dehumidifier purchase you will need to know how to purchase the right system for you.
Dehumidifiers come in all different kinds of sizes and it can be confusing to navigate between all of these options. Earlier today I wrote an article that covers just this topic that was titled, ‘What Size Dehumidifier Do I Need?’. This article breaks down the exact sizing requirements that you will need based on the room size and the overall dampness of the room.
Once you have read that article you can then make an educated pick at which dehumidifier is the right option for you and your family.