Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the room, leaving your space with drier, more comfortable air. A fan draws moist air inside the dehumidifier and across refrigerant coils that cause water to condense, letting dry air flow through the other side and back into the room.

What Are the Benefits of a Dehumidifier?

Whether you're looking to relieve your allergies or prevent mold from growing in damp spaces, here are some key benefits of a humidifier.

1. Allergy Relief:  Allergens in the air can cause symptoms like coughing, wheezing, sneezing, or itching. A dehumidifier dries out the air, which can help inhibit the amount of irritants that thrive in damp conditions.

2. Mold Prevention:  Mold and mildew are prone to growing in damp spaces, such as basements and bathrooms, and can spread easily across carpet, windows, fabric, or wood. The growth of mold and mildew can lead to symptoms like irritation, illness, and congestion. Because mold and mildew can be tricky to treat, a dehumidifier is a great way to prevent it from growing entirely.

3. Musty Smell Prevention:  In damp spaces like a bathroom, basement, or laundry room, excess condensation from moisture in the air can lead to a musty odor that permeates the carpet, upholstery, or other fabrics. A dehumidifier removes the excess moisture to keep your space dry and fresh-smelling.

4. Prevention of Dust Mites and Insects:  Dust mites and insects thrive in humid environments, so using a dehumidifier can effectively cut down on the amount of pests in your home. A dehumidifier will ensure your home's humidity stays at a comfortable level and keeps your space pest-free.

5. Protection Against Water Damage:  If you deal with flooding or leaks, a dehumidifier can help remove excess water by absorbing the moisture in the air. This is great for climates that experience frequent rainfall or floods, or if your plumbing and appliances are prone to leaking.

WHEN SHOULD YOU USE A DEHUMIDIFIER?

There are many specific problems within a home that a dehumidifier can improve. Excess moisture in the air can affect paint quality, allergies, musty smells, and more. Keep reading to identify the situations where a dehumidifier may be needed to nip house maintenance problems in the bud.

1. Mold on Walls & Surfaces:  Moist, warm air creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Certain kinds of mold can be harmful to breathe in and can cause negative long-term health effects such as asthma and allergy sensitivity. Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air, making your home less habitable for mold. Dehumidifiers do not kill mold, but they do prevent it from spreading and taking hold in the first place.

2. A Musty Smell:  Mold can also introduce funky, musty smells to your home as a result of the moist environment. This smell can unpleasantly stick to walls, furniture, and even your clothes. When dehumidifiers remove moisture and prevent the growth of mold, they also remove the musty smells that accompany mold. If you’ve been noticing a strange smell in your home, try a dehumidifier to remove it from your space.

3. Signs of Dust Mites:  Dust mites, like mold, thrive in a moist environment and can trigger asthma and allergies in humans. Dust mites feed off of shed human skin cells and tend to live in couches, mattresses, or rugs. If you have been experiencing increased asthma symptoms at night, including sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, or facial pressure, you may have a dust mite allergy. Using a dehumidifier will create a dry and inhospitable environment for dust mites, preventing growth of dust mite colonies.

4. Asthma or Respiratory Issues:  Since a dehumidifier prevents mold, dust mites, and other allergens, by effect it may improve symptoms of asthma or respiratory issues. Consider trying a dehumidifier in your bedroom or other commonly used space and observe the effects on your symptoms.

5. Peeling Paint & Water Stains:  If you are trying to prevent minor water damage in a bathroom, running a household dehumidifier after a shower should help keep condensation off the walls and protect paint. Using a high-capacity household dehumidifier in your basement can also help regulate humidity levels and prevent water damage. Try running a fan and dehumidifier together to get some of the moisture out of the air and walls. If you have noticed water stains or peeling paint on your ceilings or walls, particularly in humid spaces like your bathroom or basement, you may want to try pairing professional help with your own dehumidifier (advanced water damage should be treated solely by a professional).

6. Moldy Food:  If food items in your kitchen cabinets or pantry seem to be developing mold quickly, using a dehumidifier can remove moisture and help keep mold at bay. Try putting mini dehumidifiers in your cabinets to address the problem – many are wireless and easy to use in cabinets.

7. Insect Problems:  If you have an insect problem, particularly in damp areas of the house, a dehumidifier may help. Insects usually have exoskeletons that dry out easily – moist environments help protect their exoskeleton. By lowering moisture levels in your home, you may chase out unwanted insects.

Source: Wayfair