Considering a dehumidifier is a good idea, especially if you live in a humid area. These devices take air from their surroundings and pass it through cold coils to condense moisture. Condensed water is collected in a container or discharged outside the house via a hose.
A good dehumidifier can go a long way in drying the air in your home or in rooms that are prone to excess moisture, such as your bedroom, basements or crawl spaces.
1. Odor Buster
An excessively moist environment can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew. These organisms can not only look unsightly, but they can give off an unpleasant smell that can trigger asthma flare-ups and other reactions in sensitive individuals.
2. Stuff Protector
Mold and mildew can grow on walls, curtains, rugs, furniture and other household staples and easily ruin them. By keeping the environment too dry to encourage this growth, dehumidifiers help keep the items in your home free from damage.
3. Health Helper
Speaking of damage, mold and mildew can wreak havoc on certain people's health. Allergies to the spores these substances produce can be as mild as watery eyes and running noses, to as severe as serious breathing difficulties. And even though a moist environment can keep dust particles from flying around the air, it can also help dust mites thrive, which can, again, lead to serious allergy complications.
4. Pest Repeller
In addition to keeping dust mites at bay, a dehumidifier can keep away other pests like termites, earwigs, centipedes and roaches. Like all life, these insects need moisture to survive, and if they can't find it in your home, they'll move on to search for it elsewhere.
5. Lower Energy Costs
When your air conditioners run, they work by removing moisture from the air before they can deliver their cooling currents. If your home is excessively humid, the AC units will have to work even harder to get the job done and, as a result, can run up your electric bill. Letting an AC system and dehumidifier work in tandem and cut power costs over the long run.