How to Choose the Best Dehumidifier?
Table of Contents
Top Best Dehumidifiers Based on Reviews and Price
Why You Need a Dehumidifier?
Generally placed in a kitchen, a bathroom or even a bedroom, the dehumidifier takes the form of a compact device that reduces humidity by condensation or absorption.
Humidity measuring between 40 and 60% is essential to your home comfort. However, when the number goes above this range, it condenses on the coldest parts of the house and degrades structures. Causing the appearance of molds, it can also be a source of health problems. It can be harmful to people with allergies or asthma or cause cough, rheumatism, sinusitis, etc.
However, thanks to the air dehumidifier, you will be able to have clean and healthy air around you at home!
Therefore, you must buy according to your specific needs. Between different types, water extraction capacity, drainage system or noise level here is how to make the right choice.
Top 9 Factors to Consider When Buying a Dehumidifier
#9 Types of Dehumidifier
There are two main types of dehumidifiers: chemical moisture absorbers and electric dehumidifiers. They can be classified depending on their size, type of operation, chemical or electrical.
Chemical Moisture Absorber
The chemical dehumidifier works by absorption. It is in the form of a tank containing a material such as silica gel. This is usually in aggregate or block form and absorbs moisture from the air, transforming it into water.
It is less expensive to buy than an electric dehumidifier. And working without electricity, it has a relatively limited action. It is, therefore, suitable for a low or medium humidified environment. The absorbed water in the container must be emptied regularly. And also, the absorbent material must be replaced.
Electric Dehumidifier
The electric dehumidifier is more expensive than a chemical dehumidifier. Also, it is available in two types of devices:
- Condensing Dehumidifier or Compressor Dehumidifier
Like the heat pump, it is composed of a fan that sucks in humid air and a compressor that cools it until the humidity condenses. The dried air is blown into the room, and the water is collected in a tank. It is most effective in a hot environment where the temperature exceeds 15 ° C. It can help treat very humid rooms. However, you will have to take into account its noise level.
- Absorption Dehumidifier or Air Dryer
It is equipped with a fan that sends air sucked into an absorbent material such as silica gel. This will retain the water which will be returned to a tank, while the gel will regenerate. It’s more economical and quieter than a condensing model. However, it is more effective in a rather cool environment where the temperature does not exceed 15°C.
Mini Dehumidifier
These are becoming popular in recent years because they are simple to use and easily transportable. Small dehumidifiers have a portable format. However, they’re not as powerful when compared to their bigger counterparts.
This makes them less effective in combating humidity. So don’t expect them to work miracles against your humidity problems. With a very limited dehumidification capacity, they are not the ideal solution for large water infiltration or mold problems. Their water tank is sometimes 500 ml.
The good thing, however, is that they consume very little electricity. Their drying process makes them suitable for small areas such as motorhomes, boats or even cellars.
#8 Identify Your Needs
Now that you know the different types of dehumidifiers on the market, the next step is analyzing your needs. Before choosing a dehumidifier, you will need to assess the airflow and range required by considering:
- The surface of the room to be treated: This is because the dehumidification capacity of the devices is very variable.
- The relative humidity rate expressed as a percentage: This is the quantity of water vapor that the air contains at a given temperature. The ideal rate is between 40 and 60%.
- Room temperature: The cooler the room to be dehumidified, the more efficient the dehumidifier must be. The warmer the air, the higher the efficiency of a dehumidifier.
- The nature of the room: There are dehumidifiers more particularly suited to certain spaces, such as the cellar dehumidifier, the swimming pool dehumidifier, etc.
#7 The Water Extraction Capacity and Power Consumption
The dehumidifying power is the number of liters of water that the machine can extract from the air over a given period. This is measured under reference conditions of 80% humidity for a temperature of 30°C. It can vary from 0.5 liters for a chemical absorber to several hundred liters in 24 hours for professional devices!
If you want to use it for a humid room of medium volume or for domestic use, it is recommended to opt for an extraction or pumping capacity of 5 to 30 liters per day (5 to 30 l/d).
The water extraction capacity of the dehumidifier is to be chosen according to the surface of the room and the volume of air to be treated. Most manufacturers indicate surfaces in square meters, more rarely volumes in cubic meters. These surfaces are defined for standard ceiling heights of 2.50 m. So, when choosing your dehumidifier, select those with a water extraction capacity of at least 10 to 16 liters.
Also, the power consumption is a criterion that will help you avoid unpleasant surprises on your electricity bill. If you don’t want your electricity bill hitting the roof, opt for a device whose power is not too high. There are indeed many dehumidifiers on the market that offer good performance despite consuming low power.
#6 Fan Speed
Some models of dehumidifiers offer several fan speeds. This speed will affect the extraction volume of the device, but also its efficiency. In hot weather, for example, the efficiency of the device increases and the speed can be reduced.
#5 Evacuation System
While many models have a tank for collecting water, others are to be connected to an outside drain. If the installation is more complex and requires the device to be raised relative to the pipe, you wouldn’t need to empty the tank regularly.
There are also dehumidifiers fitted with a lifting pump. This allows the recovered water to be directed to a drain located higher than the appliance. In the case of a tank dehumidifier, pay attention to its capacity and therefore to the maximum amount of water it can contain. Some models stop automatically when the tank is full.
#4 Silent Dehumidifier
The electric condensing dehumidifier is the worst device in this area because of its compressor. But its efficiency needs to be compared with this drawback. There are also models of silent dehumidifiers, equipped with a “sleep” or “low” function. This function helps reduce noise (and therefore the efficiency of the device) during the night, for example.
If you indeed need to use it during the night, it is recommended to choose the device that is as quiet as possible. Expressed in decibels (dB), it is a volume that must not be higher than 40 dB. However, some devices with higher noise levels are fine if used in rooms such as the basement.
#3 Design
Unlike an absorber, you can put your dehumidifier under the bed if you want to hide it. You can also make it visible in a room in your home so that it adds to the overall aesthetics of the room. In this case, opt for an original design made of decorative elements. Either way, the choice is yours!
You can opt for a discreet or original model. If however, you are looking for a beautiful model, opt for mini-dehumidifiers, which are popular when it comes to aesthetics.
#2 The Humidistat/Hygrostat
The presence of a hygrostat allows you to set the desired humidity level. It can be manual or automatic: the dehumidifier will then automatically start when the programmed humidity level is reached.
#1 Important Integrated Features
Depending on the model, ensure that your preferred dehumidifier is equipped with some of the following:
- A timer to choose the time to start and the operating time.
- An ionization function intended to purify the air before sending it back into the room.
- A dryer function which allows you to halve the drying time of your laundry in the room.
- Or a defrosting function that optimizes the performance of the appliance when the temperature is between 5 and 15°C.
However, remember that the more the bells and whistles, the more they’ll cost.
Takeaway
Having a dehumidifier is an effective solution to regulate the amount of humidity in the air of a specific room. Several criteria must be taken into account when choosing your dehumidifier. The air dehumidifier of your choice must not only be efficient and reliable but also intelligent.
Besides, you can now opt for compact, elegant and silent models. If you have rooms with small volumes or low humidity levels, you can opt for mini-humidifiers. Depending on your needs, you can opt for a portable or permanently installed device in your home. You can use it to limit the relative humidity in your home, reduce the risk of allergies and many other respiratory problems.
Overall, buying a dehumidifier will improve the comfort level of your home. So weigh the purchase against these parameters before adding the product to the cart.
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