Fan and Dehumidifier: Which is Better for Moisture Control?

A quick search on the internet will quickly reveal how there are numerous ways of getting the dreaded moisture in control, be it in the kitchen, bathroom, crawlspace, or even basements. Nonetheless, closer scrutiny will reveal that most of the products being reviewed as able to remove moisture are just promotional products deliberately made by unscrupulous sellers to advertise what they sell, or in this case what they are unable to sell genuinely.

In this article, a comparison is made between using a dehumidifier and a fan for moisture removal. Keep reading to find out which appliance is more effective and the reasons why.

Fans

Fans have been around for over two centuries now. Since the prototype was made in 1882 by Philip Diehl, its intended purpose has always been to improve air circulation. Nonetheless, being the creative human beings that we always are, it is used for several other purposes in addition to air circulation.

For instance, the Alorair air mover, which is principally designed from the concept of a fan, has been designed for the removal of excess moisture. However, it is primarily used for restoration purposes. The air mover has blades that rotate at very high velocities which cause excess water to evaporate and form moisture. At the same time, while rotating, it significantly lowers the surrounding air, thereby initiating movement of air from outside the room (ventilation process).

Advantages of Fans

Just like a dehumidifier, fans improve air quality. However, it does this by forcing air from outside the room to mix with air in the room. Therefore, in a damp environment, you should expect that the characteristic moldy smell from mold growth will be regulated. However, that does not mean that the mold problem will have been taken care of.

Fans are easy to install. They have simple designs, often with a maximum of two control buttons; one that switches it on and off, and the other which is used to increase the speed of rotation. To get it running, all that is needed is to plug it into the power source.

The overall cost of a fan is relatively cheaper than that of a dehumidifier. The initial cost may be as low as $20. Additionally, since there is no professional input in setting it up, it means that there will be no additional cost incurred.

Disadvantages

A fan cannot remove moisture from a given mass of air. Fans rely on mixing indoor air with that of the outdoor environment. Though to some extent it may reduce the moisture in a room, its potential is limited. Additionally, if the air outside is humid, its usage often backfires, since additional moisture will be drawn into the room.

The simplistic design of the fan makes its electrical components susceptible to damage from prolonged use in moist environments. In extremely damp areas, condensation may occur on the fan components since the air around the blades often has a lower temperature. These condensed water molecules can interfere with electrical components and cause short-circuitry. Prolonged exposure can result in a complete shutdown of the system.

In as much as some people may still argue in favor of the fan, how can one determine when the relative humidity of 50%, which of course is the ambient indoor humidity, has been achieved?

What about Dehumidifiers?

Alorair commercial dehumidifiers are devices that are specifically designed to get rid of excess moisture from a given mass of air. Given that it is explicitly designed for that purpose, it is expected that it will perform exceptionally well in removing excess moisture and thereby regulating the relative humidity at safe levels.

Advantages of Using Dehumidifiers

• Removes moisture from the air.
• The desired humidity can be pre-set.
• Comes with an inbuilt dehumidifier for continuous monitoring of humidity levels.
• Small portable ones run quietly without easily being noticed.
• Has filters that improve air quality.

Disadvantages

It is relatively expensive when compared to a fan. Coming to think of it, since its long-term benefits outweigh its cost in the long run, is it safe to assume that in a real sense it is cheaper than using a fan for moisture removal?

Verdict

The dehumidifier wins in this case. However, if you are still not satisfied and are willing to experiment with the fan, then be my guest.

Further questions

If for any reason you are convinced that a dehumidifier will serve you better but are unsure of how to proceed, feel free to visit our website. There you will find loads of information on different types of dehumidifiers and their uses. Additionally, we have a direct contact line that you can use to reach the experts directly for free consultation services.