The experts from EcoAir explain how dehumidifiers work and why they are a healthy, environmentally friendly and energy saving way to reach ideal moisture levels for a healthy home
The Problem with Moisture in Your Home
Damp and condensation are common issues in UK homes. UK Government estimates of the number of homes in England with damp and mould range widely from 4% to 27% of homes, or 962,000 to 6.5 million households. Humidity, damp, and condensation causes musty smells, mould and mildew. This is a problem for many homes, offices, and industrial properties. Excess moisture can cause various health problems and damage to property and belongings if left untreated.
UK Government Guidance in 2023 noted that excessive moisture can promote the growth of microorganisms such as mould and other fungi, certain species of house dust mites, bacteria, or viruses. The more serious the damp and mould problem and the longer it is left untreated, the worse the health impacts and risks are likely to be. Damp and mould can cause disease and ill health in anyone, but people with underlying health conditions and weakened immune systems are at greater risk. The optimal relative humidity is within 50% to 60% RH. Ambient relative humidity above 60% can encourage bacterial growth and Bed Mites to reproduce).
High humidity indoors can be caused by a number of natural factors, in particular the weather. However, poor ventilation, modern insulation, double glazing, central heating, dishwashers, washing machines, kitchens and bathrooms can increase humidity. Moisture can damage clothes, furniture, property and also cause drywall and wood to rot, resulting in structural damage to a property.
However, if the percentage of water vapour in the air is too low it causes excess drying which can trigger skin irritations such as a dry nose, eczema and chapped skin. It can also damage possessions, such as wooden furniture, by drying it out too much.
What do Dehumidifiers do and How do They Work?
Dehumidifiers control humidity levels in the home, workplace, and other indoor areas.
A dehumidifier is usually used for comfort or health reasons – they can help to reduce the symptoms of asthma, allergies, and other respiratory health conditions. In addition, they can help in protecting cars, caravans and other equipment from mould, rust, and deterioration due to excess humidity.
Drier air warms more quickly than damp air, so home heating costs may also be reduced with the use of a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier can also help laundry dry quicker.
What Size and Type of Dehumidifier do I go For? Desiccant vs Compressor Dehumidifiers
When choosing the right dehumidifier for you, confusion might arise from deciding between the two different types of dehumidifiers: compressor and desiccant. While both fulfil the same purpose by extracting moisture from the air, they achieve this via different methods.
Desiccant dehumidifiers draw air into the machine before passing it over a desiccant chemical to absorb the moisture from the air.
Compressor dehumidifiers use a fan to draw in air and run it over a cold coil (much like a refrigerator) so that the water condenses and is collected by the water tank.
When is a desiccant dehumidifier better than a compressor unit?
- For any application where the ambient room temperature is likely to fall below 15 degrees Celsius – as room temperature falls, a compressor dehumidifier will become ineffective.
- If you want your home to be kept drier than normal.
- The unit emits warmer air (approx. 3-5 degrees Celsius warmer than the ambient air), so you are likely to be using less energy on heating for your home.
- Better generally for drying laundry as it extracts moisture at a faster speed.
- Often has a Turbo mode for rapid drying such as after a flood (or fast drying delicates in laundry).
- Effective in the range 1 to 40 degrees Celsius.
- Much lighter.
- Slightly quieter.
When is a compressor dehumidifier better?
- For warmer spaces.
- Effective in the range 15-40 degrees Celsius.
- Maintaining a normal household moisture level of 50-55%RH.
- Slightly lower energy consumption but note that it doesn’t emit warmer air into the room (and bear in mind if the temperature is low, the time to get to your required humidity takes longer).
What size to go for?
- The larger the space, the larger the water tank and more powerful the unit needed.
- If you have a unit with a continuous drainage option and a nearby sink or outflow, the tank size does not matter.
Dehumidifiers can also have other features such as different antibacterial or carbon filters, laundry or turbo modes, digital displays or rotary dials, timers and auto-restart after a power cut.
Cost of a dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers stand out as an answer to rising energy costs. Dehumidifiers with a laundry mode act as cheaper alternatives to tumble dryers, as a dehumidifier has much lower power usage. In addition, due to the extraction of energy-sapping water particles from the air, lower humidity levels allow for significantly cheaper home heating.
The cost of purchasing a dehumidifier varies depending on the size and the type of dehumidifier that you want. EcoAir models range from around £200-300 and when considering the money that you will save on energy bills and tumble dryer usage, it is a fantastic long-term investment.
The cost of running your dehumidifier depends on its wattage and how long you need to run it. 1kWh of electricity can cost up to 34p (depending on your energy contract). Most standard dehumidifiers run between 200-300W, although the wattage on larger models can go up to 400W (excluding high power settings). Therefore, on average your dehumidifier is likely to cost approximately 7p-10p per hour. Tumble dryers can cost up to £1 an hour to run.
Other uses of Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers have already been noted as a very efficient way to reach ideal moisture levels and dry laundry in your home, but they have many potential uses. EcoAir supply units to ensure optimal conditions for special clothes storage, food storage, warehouses, boats, and garages. They are a very flexible and adaptable technology.
Time to get a Dehumidifier?
The health, comfort and financial benefits of dehumidifiers are clear, and the UK market is growing rapidly. However, making a choice of the right model can be challenging. Trusted advice from the right supplier can really help. Make sure to visit the EcoAir website www.ecoair.org for helpful advice and to view their Which? award-winning range of units.
