September 20, 2024
Dehumidifiers are a component of your home’s climate control. A dehumidifier removes moisture by pulling in ambient air, taking out the excess moisture, cooling the air to condense the moisture, and collecting it in a tank or draining it outdoors. Depending on the model, some dehumidifiers have added features that filter out particles like allergens, dust, pollutants, and mold spores.
You may need a dehumidifier in your home if you experience the following:
Allergies that flare up often or a prolonged allergy season in your area
Condensation on windows or doors
Mold or mildew growth in your home
Musty odors in the house
Blistering paint or peeling wallpaper
Muggy-feeling air or persistent dampness on fabrics and clothing
An increase in pests like silverfish, cockroaches, or spiders
San Francisco and the surrounding area are among the top 10 cities in the United States, with an average humidity above 72.5%. According to the World Data Center for Meteorology, the average humidity in the San Francisco area is around 74%.
Service Champions is a local Northern California business, so we understand the challenges of living in this notoriously humid Mediterranean-style climate. We install, repair, and maintain all types of heating systems, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers. We know how to keep Californians comfortable.
Read on to learn about the different dehumidifier types, how they work, and how to choose the right one for your home’s needs.
Your air conditioner is similar to a dehumidifier, although its primary function is to cool the home, not remove moisture. An air conditioner lowers your humidity primarily as a by-product of the cooling process. When warm air hits your cold evaporator coils, liquid condensate drips down to the pan below and gets transferred outside via the condensate drain line. A dehumidifier uses similar principles, but is designed to remove as much moisture from the air as possible, not to cool the space as a primary function.
Your indoor humidity is affected by many things, including outdoor humidity levels, indoor humidity sources (bathroom, kitchen, etc.), ventilation, and more.
To reach your ideal humidity, installing a central humidification system may be best. This system humidifies and dehumidifies your home uniformly, keeping you comfortable no matter the conditions.
Not only is high humidity extremely uncomfortable, but the more humid it is, the harder it is for the body to transfer heat to the air. This is known as relative humidity and is the basis for the “feels like” temperatures often listed beside the actual outdoor air temperatures.
In high humidity, sweat, the primary way we regulate temperature, doesn’t evaporate as fast, which can lead to the following issues:
Fatigue, headache, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke
Poor sleep
Pest and insect risks
Higher blood pressure
Mold, mildew, and moisture
Worse allergies and asthma
Dust mites
Peeling paint and wallpaper
Damaged electronics
Sticky doors and windows
Wilting and smelly plants
Viruses
Respiratory issues
If you have a significant humidity problem, like mold, condensation, or cracking and warping wood, speak with a professional about addressing the issue.
The type of dehumidifier you choose will depend on your budget, home, and preferences. Although we highly recommend a whole-home humidification system to maintain ideal indoor humidity levels, the following are the four different dehumidifiers you can choose from.
1. Heat pump dehumidifiers
A heat pump dehumidifier needs a fan, heat pump, and heat exchange coils to remove moisture from the air. Using a fan, air is sent past the heat exchange coils, which are very cold. Moisture then condenses and collects, and dryer air circulates back into the home.
2. Dehumidifying ventilators
Similar to how it sounds, a dehumidifying ventilator uses a sensor to detect moisture levels and an exhaust fan to expel air outside. They are most often used in basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
3. Chemical absorbent dehumidifiers (desiccant dehumidifiers)
Also known as desiccant dehumidifiers, a chemical absorbent dehumidifier consists of hydrophilic materials, such as silica gel. Many residential units contain single-use desiccant-type cartridges, gel, and powder.
4. Homemade dehumidifiers
If you’re a hands-on and innovative person, there are many ways to build your own dehumidifier. While we don’t recommend a homemade dehumidifier as a permanent solution, it might help in the short term, especially when incorporated with other natural ways to reduce your home’s humidity. Homemade dehumidifiers can be made out of charcoal, road salt, or a special kind of de-icing salt.
The CDC recommends using a dehumidifier to prevent health problems and mold growth in your home, but how do you know which type is best for your needs? Here are some factors to consider when choosing a dehumidifier.
The most important feature to consider is whether the dehumidifier can perform its job and effectively remove moisture from your home. A qualified HVAC tech can help you choose the best size and capacity for your needs. Contact Service Champions for an in-home assessment, and an experienced technician will go over your options with you in detail.
The bigger the tank, the more water the dehumidifier can collect before you need to empty it out. Without a way to carry the water to a drain, a larger tank can lead to an arduous dumping mission. Also, long-standing water is generally not a good idea as it can lead to bacteria, algae, and mold growth.
Some dehumidifiers come with a continuous pump and drain feature to automatically remove water from the home using a connection to a sink or drainage hose.
A dehumidifier with a specific filtration system can convert condensate into potable drinking water. Dehumidifiers with built-in humidistats, allow you to manually select your ideal humidity level and a filter indicator feature will alert you when it’s time to clean the filter.
Some dehumidifiers may be louder than others, which may not matter, but you may not want a noisy buzzing sound in your main living areas.
A desiccant model may be more efficient when temperatures reach below 0°F, but a heat pump works better in hotter areas. A local professional can help you choose the right type.
In most cases, the small cost of adding a dehumidifier to your energy bill is well worth it. It not only improves your comfort and health but reduces long-term property damage due to mold and mildew.
The best method for adding or removing humidity from the home is a whole-home humidification system that monitors the home for proper humidity and turns on the humidifier or dehumidifier as needed to bring your home to an ideal humidity level.
We recommend a central humidification system if you want to protect your furniture, art, and other parts of your home from mold, rust, pests, warping, and cracking. Even though whole-home humidification systems cost more and require regular maintenance, if you want the best, you want whole-home humidification.
Every type of humidifier and dehumidifier has pros and cons, so speak with a Champion first. Our Comfort Advisors are known for their expert advice for in-home climate management throughout the East Bay, South Bay, and Sacramento areas.
With our MVP membership and accessible financing options, we make it easy for Californians to get the home services they need. We’ll help you figure out which system is right for you and your home.