7 Tips on How to Get the Most Out of Your Dehumidifier

High indoor humidity is known to interfere with air quality in a home. Furthermore, it can create ambient conditions for mold and dust mites to thrive. That should not be taken lightly considering that exposure to mold and dust mites is known to cause several respiratory complications and trigger an allergic reaction.

It is for this reason that those who are affected by moisture problems should consider acquiring a dehumidifier. Nonetheless, the problem doesn’t end at getting one. The maximum utility of the device is primarily based on how it is installed and operated. How then can you ensure that you get the most out of your dehumidifier?

Positioning

The dehumidifier should face away from walls, furniture, curtains, or any other obstruction. It works best when placed centrally in a room. But since it can interfere with the normal operation in the room, the other option is to place it on a corner, but facing the room space.

One reason why you should opt to place it in the corner of a room is to minimize noise interference produced by the device.

Room Preparation

Another important, yet overlooked aspect is ensuring the room is clean. It is advisable to vacuum the floor and remove any litter before switching it on. That is because when the dehumidifier is operating, it disperses dust into the air.

However, if your dehumidifier has filters, this step may not be necessary.

Setting the Appropriate Humidity

It is pointless to own a dehumidifier if you do not intend to control your indoor moisture within a specific range. Most studies have proved that a relative humidity of 50% is optimal for indoor air. Moreover, the studies are backed up by findings that demonstrate that setting moisture content below 50% may not have any significant benefits.

While setting your dehumidifier, ensure the target humidity is 45% to 55%. It is also worth noting that very low humidity can interfere with electrical appliances since it increases the risk of creating static charges and consequently short-circuitry.

Regular Emptying Of Condensate Bucket

It is vital to ensure that the condensate bucket is emptied as frequently as possible, especially in a desiccant dehumidifier. Unknown to many users, taking long before emptying makes the moisture removal process to be relatively slow. That is because the condensed water evaporates again, and form moisture back in the air.

Frost Control

Ordinarily, the efficiency of a dehumidifier decreases in areas that have extremely low temperatures. If it is during the winter season, you can use room heaters to heat a room while removing moisture simultaneously.

Another option is to buy a dehumidifier with an automatic defrost function. This function ensures that the dehumidifier can work normally even at low temperatures.

Proper Timing

You should adopt the habit of using the dehumidifier when the moisture is relatively high. A classic example is after taking a shower, or if you are washing clothes in the laundry room. Apart from that, you can use it in the kitchen, while steaming food, or using a pressure cooker.

That way, you will be able to maximize its usage, since the speed of extraction is highest when air has an excess moisture content, but gradually reduces with a decrease in humidity.

Managing Costs

A few running hours are required for a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture content of a given volume of air to the desired level. Therefore, if you are on a lean budget, being prudent can save you a dime, more so in electricity bills.

If you live in a state where the tariffs have varying electricity charges, you can switch it on when the tariffs are lowest.

Similarly, you should use a dehumidifier with automatic humidity control which can turn off when the desired humidity level is achieved rather than running throughout the day.

Bottom line

The first step in ensuring that you get the most out of any dehumidifier is to select the right model. It would be absurd to go for an ordinary residential dehumidifier and expect it to work in a large industrial setup or an expansive basement. If you want to know more about dehumidifiers, you can check our dehumidifier product information list to make an informed decision.

Another essential factor to consider is the technology used in making the dehumidifier. There are recent models such as the SLGR Dehumidifiers (Super Low Grain Refrigerant). While it uses refrigerant to remove moisture, it is specially designed with a unique air-to-air heat exchanger that makes it fast and effective at moisture removal irrespective of the environmental temperature and humidity.