Dehumidification is the removal of moisture and humidity from the air and a dehumidifier is used for this process.
Weather conditions can wreak havoc with temperature and moisture levels in the air. Excess moisture or humidity can encourage the growth of mould and mildew in the house. It can also be the cause of dust mites. Rust is another common problem caused by excess vapour in the air. Dampness, especially in the basement, garage and small spaces such as those underneath your bed and cupboard can be a breeding ground for pests and bugs, which can pose a potential health hazard. Also, a constant muggy feeling in the air can lead to headaches and cause your clothes to take ages to dry. A dehumidifier is useful in all these situations.
A dehumidifier is an electrical device that squeezes moisture and vapour molecules out of the air and condenses them below condensation point. Similar to an air conditioner, a dehumidifier has hot and cold coils, but in the same encasing. When cold water is poured into a glass on a hot summer’s day, moisture droplets condense on the glass. When the air loses its ability to hold the moisture any longer, a small puddle will be formed below the glass. A dehumidifier works exactly in the same way.
The fan in the dehumidifying unit draws room air onto its cold coil and condenses it. Water drips out of this air and is collected in a small storage tank or container inside the unit. Dry air is then circulated through the hot coils, so that it can be heated up to its previous temperature, and blown out again into the room.
There are four basic types of dehumidifier: compressor-based dehumidifiers, desiccant dehumidifiers, peltier dehumidifiers and silica gel-based dehumidifiers. Compressor-based dehumidifiers, the most common type, work on the principle of a refrigerator and have hot and cold coils in the same box. A desiccant dehumidifier has no coils but a wheel that is filled with moisture-absorbing desiccant material. A peltier dehumidifier uses a cold metal surface to condense air and needs to be adjusted to a temperature of 15 oC. Peltier dehumidifiers are ideal for placing in wardrobes or closets. Silica gel dehumidifiers are small and can be used to control moisture in a drawer or box. Basement and crawlspace dehumidifiers are similar to compressor dehumidifiers but are smaller in size and ideal for placement inside a basement and underneath a bed or cupboard.
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