Many of you ask us how to know if you need a dehumidifier in your home. The short answer is: You need a dehumidifier if you find that your home or business has a problem with moisture. The most common places that we install dehumidifiers are in bathrooms, basements, and crawlspaces.

Having too much moisture in the air in your home can ruin your comfort, as well as worsen your health (allergies or asthma). In addition, too-high humidity can destroy your personal property. Books, clothes, electronics will get ruined over time due to too much moisture being in the air. Wallpaper can start peeling off, wood may rot or warp, and there can be unpleasant odors that are constantly present.

Keep in mind that a dehumidifier not only helps to protect against structure damage and allergies, but it can also supplement your AC unit. The drier the air, the cooler it feels, so a dehumidifier can actually save you money each month on your bill!

A dehumidifier may very likely remedy these situations, but there are a few things to consider before making your final purchase.

How much room do you need to cover?

In order for a dehumidifier to work at top efficiency, you need to choose the correct size. Otherwise, it may not be removing enough moisture in the air and will waste additional energy by overworking itself. Typically, we recommend choosing the size of your dehumidifier based on what square footage you are working with. It’s better to choose a larger size if your room turns out to be on the higher end of the unit’s capacity.

What is the indoor temperature? What is the humidity level?

The existing humidity of your space will affect how your unit performs. It’s also important to keep in mind what temperature your dehumidifier will be staying in. High-temperature spaces (think a garage or basement) need a unit that will operate efficiently at those high temperatures. If you don’t do your research into finding the appropriate size, the coils in your unit will eventually freeze due to condensation forming excessively.

If you’re working with a space that has very high humidity, you will need to narrow your search to units that are built to take on larger moisture loads. For businesses, commercial dehumidifiers are also available.

What special features, if any, will you require?

The good news is that there are many different dehumidifiers on the marker, all of them coming with various features. Are you interested in features that allow for ducting? Many units include this so that you can dehumidify multiple areas in your home at one time. Ducting also allows for the unit to be hidden away in a closet or inconspicuous space.

Additional features may include wheels and handles for easier mobility, digital and remote controls, timers that can be integrated, internal pumps to handle condensation, and humidistats.

For more information on dehumidifiers, their special features, or if you should consider installing one in your home or business, call us today! We love taking all of the confusion out and making the process simple for you. Contact us and start living in a healthier, cleaner environment.