Frequently Asked Dehumidifier Questions

What Is A Dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier is a device that is used to regulate moisture. It removes excess moisture from the atmosphere until a desired relative humidity is achieved.

How does it work?

All dehumidifiers work using two primary working mechanisms. The working principles can either be through refrigeration or desiccation.

Refrigeration dehumidifiers use refrigerants for moisture removal. When air is drawn into the system, it passes over connection pipes. The refrigerant cools the warm moist air below the dew point. As a result, the excess moisture condenses and is later collected to the drainage tank. The now dry air is reheated using heating elements, and released back to the atmosphere.

On the other hand, desiccation dehumidifiers are designed with a rotor that is packed with a hydrophilic material (the desiccant). Often the material used for this purpose is silica gel. When air is drawn into the system, silica gel, which has a high affinity for water, absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. As a result, the air leaving the device will have lower humidity.

What Is Relative Humidity?

The relative humidity is a ratio of the actual amount of moisture a given mass of air can hold and the maximum amount of moisture that the same air can hold when saturated. Air that has a relative humidity of 100% is said to have reached the dew point. At this point, condensation occurs if the air mass comes into contact with any surface.

Another term related to it is absolute humidity. It is a measure of the actual amount of moisture a given mass of air holds at any time.

While discussing a dehumidifier, relative humidity is a preferred measure. That is because it factors in environmental temperature, which affects the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold.

What Is The Ideal Indoor Humidity?

Many scientific studies have reported that relative humidity levels of 50% are ideal for maintaining indoor air quality and creating a comfortable environment. At this humidity level, your home will be protected from mold growth and dust mite infestation.

In support of these findings, other researchers over the years have observed that reducing humidity levels below 50% does not provide any advantage. Contrary to that, it can be counterproductive if it drops to 30% since it increases the probability of static charges to form in electric components, which can result in short-circuitry.

How Long Does It Take To Get Moisture Under Control?

It depends on the capacity of the dehumidifier and the prevailing moisture conditions in the room. However, if there is excess moisture caused by climatic conditions and house chores, it may take anywhere between a week to a month to bring the air moisture in control.

Nonetheless, the timeframe may deviate from the estimated time in cases of flooding, or continuous leakages. In such cases, air movers and air scrubbers may be used in addition to the dehumidifier to speed up the process.

How Much Water Does A Dehumidifier Remove?

While most people may rush to claim that the amount of moisture removable during a specific duration is dependent on the capacity of the device, it is not as straightforward as they may suppose. Other factors that determine water extraction rate include air temperature, air-moisture content, and the power of the device.

It is for this reason that a dehumidifier with a rating of 60PPD (pints per day) on paper may not be able to extract the exact amount of moisture during a 24- hour duration.

Is The Water Collected Potable?

The water that collects during the operation of the dehumidifier, also known as condensate can be used in cleaning the car or even for irrigation. However, in as much as it may appear to be clear, it should not be used for drinking or given to pets, since it may have harmful bacteria that can cause infections.

Where Is The Best Place To Put The Dehumidifier?

Strategically placing a dehumidifier within the house is paramount for effective extraction of moisture. Ideally, it should be placed in the farthest corner of a room, where air circulation is quite low. That will serve to reduce the noise it generates while it is running. However, if you feel that the warm air it releases is heating the room and making it uncomfortable, you can opt to place it facing away from the window.