Month: July 2021

Dehumidifier desiccant vs compressor

Dehumidifier desiccant vs compressor

3 Key Takeaways:

🚀 Desiccant dehumidifiers use a drying material to absorb moisture from the air, while compressor dehumidifiers use a refrigerant to condense moisture from the air.

🚀 Desiccant dehumidifiers are more durable, quieter, and more economical than compressor dehumidifiers, but they may not be as effective in high humidity levels.

🚀 Compressor dehumidifiers are highly efficient in removing excess moisture from the air and are recommended for large areas in need of dehumidification.

Know the difference between desiccant and compressor dehumidifier.

High humidity levels are a constant battle in most homes. Keeping an indoor space free from moist air is crucial for several reasons. Reducing humidity is not just about extracting moisture from the air for the sole purpose of creating an ambient temperature. Balancing the relative humidity levels is about protecting your home against the damaging effects that come along with it. Be it mold and mildew, fungal growth, musty smell, dust mites, allergens, structural damage, etc.

All thanks to domestic dehumidifiers that make reducing humidity and keeping damp air away is an easy task.

However, the confusion of which type of dehumidifier is the right choice against battling the humid air in your home does exist.

Could they be Compressor Dehumidifiers or Desiccant Dehumidifiers?

Let us look into detail in this article on how compressor dehumidifiers work and what are the advantages of a desiccant unit and more. Find out which would be the ideal choice for your pocket and for your indoor space. Desiccant unit or Compressor unit?

Before we head to finding out if your home needs a desiccant or compressor unit, let us be clear about how each of these dehumidifiers works.

Compressor Dehumidifier

The popular compressor dehumidifier type is the large plug-in dehumidifier that most people are familiar with. There are different models and technological advancements to the compressor units that make them highly efficient in removing excess moisture from the air.

A typical compressor-based dehumidifier is identified by its audible fan and capacity to easily remove the moisture of about 30 pints from the atmosphere, over a period of 24 hours! If the area in need of the dehumidification process is a fairly large one, most professionals recommend investing in compressor units.

This is how the compressor model works to keep a space free from excess moisture and musty smell- the condensation mechanism. Reducing humidity levels is done by building a cold surface. This cold surface is on the refrigerated coil that is placed within the compressor unit. When warm air passes over the cold surface of the refrigerated coil, via the condensation mechanism, the unit will remove moisture from the air (as water), and collect this water in the reservoir within the compressor unit. This collected water can be drained to the outside by various methods based on your convenience.

Desiccant Dehumidifier

Desiccant units or thermo electric models are equally famous as their compressor counterparts. The thermo electric models are famous for their silent operation. These do not generate fan noise and are hence quieter.

Here is how the drying process or the dehumidification process in a desiccant dehumidifier works. A desiccant unit depends on a ‘Desiccant wheel’ to function. This desiccant wheel will absorb the excess moisture from the humid air. The seamless functioning of the dehumidification process is taken care of by the desiccant wheel, which can be recharged using an electric heater (when the desiccant wheel is saturated).

Having understood the operation of both types of dehumidifiers, let us head to analyze ‘Compressor Vs Desiccant’ by going over the parameters to identify a good performing dehumidifier when it comes to maintaining relative humidity levels.

Comparing Desiccant and Compressor Dehumidifiers:

Regular vs desiccant dehumidifier

Humidity Control

Humid air that hangs around the room is a major problem that both desiccant and compressor dehumidifiers aim to cover. Indefinitely, one is an advantage over the other when it comes to certain conditions. These conditions will entirely depend on what your need is.

Maintaining the ideal ambient temperature sometimes could be possible but just making some changes in your indoor practices. Poor ventilation, laundry indoors, washing indoors, cooking indoors are few major contributors that increase the relative humidity levels in a closed space. This can also be in the case of an RV or travel trailer.

Practising better management of these contributors can help to control the build-up of damp air to an extent. You can avoid these factors that lead to warm air and couple it with the action of desiccant or compressor dehumidifiers. Remember, the choice of dehumidifiers for any space will depend on the room temperature, relative humidity level, area of the space to cover.

For Drying Clothes

Here is how washing indoors can be handled using dehumidifiers. It is a fact that one of the most common reasons why people deal with condensation and mold growth indoors is because of laundry indoors. You can use either a desiccant or compressor dehumidifier to create a dry atmosphere and blow the dry air across the wet washing. This is indeed a brilliant way to dry wet laundry quickly. This method will ensure that all the moisture from the wet clothes will go into the dehumidifier, rather than simply spreading around the home and shooting up the relative humidity level.

It can be noticed that drying washing is very similar to how clothes are line-dried under the hot sun. Once the warm air from the dehumidifier hits the wet clothes, it takes in the excess moisture from the air and the clothes. You get dry clothes and dry air!

To answer the question, ‘Which dehumidifier dries clothes faster in the battle of compressor vs desiccant?’; here is our answer. Desiccant dehumidifiers are found to have faster airflow in comparison to their compressor counterparts. One model, in particular, is found to be highly effective. The Meaco 25L Low Energy Dehumidifier is specially designed to operate as an excellent alternative to the tumble dryer. This unit has a massive top speed on its airflow to hasten the drying process.

Running Costs

You might be surprised to learn that the way in which compressor dehumidifiers work will actually be gentler in your pockets, in comparison to their desiccant counterparts. Although compressor units are large, they are energy efficient and give you a lesser electricity bill than the desiccant models.

Considering that dehumidifiers are used extensively during cold temperatures, they are going to take up a lot of attention from the dehumidifiers you have. Consuming less energy is going to be quite a difficult task. This is where the desiccant units come in with their passive heating process. This might be what you need and even work better for longer hours of use with their slow heating process, despite the fact that you might have a higher electricity bill. Hence in the compressor vs desiccant model battles, as far as the electricity bill is concerned, you can make use of the desiccant model.

Basements are known to run into low temperatures easily. Ensure no matter which model you purchase, the dehumidifier works and is equipped to do so and to withstand the cold temperatures. The strained working shuttling between warmer temperatures and sudden drop to cold temperature might also place a strain on the function of the device, which is a contributing factor to shoot up the electricity bill.

Maintenance

Which one should you pick if you are looking for a dehumidification process with easy maintenance?

Desiccant or compressor dehumidifiers?

The answer is desiccant dehumidifiers. Desiccant units simply need to be recharged when they have reached their full potential. You can recharge them and place them again amidst humid air to get dry air in the room or space they are in.

On the other hand, compressor units are complicated. They are advanced and use refrigerant gas to undertake the dehumidification process. If there is a drop in the maintenance of relative humidity levels by compressor units, the professional might check if the device has run out of refrigerant gas (among the other parts and details of the operation that will be checked).

You might want to remember that refrigerant gas is expensive. Moreover, the internal parts of the compressor dehumidifiers are also complex. Although compressor dehumidifiers work far efficiently in comparison to their desiccant counterparts; especially when it comes to relative humidity control across an indoor space with a large area, these are expensive to maintain. If the area that is filled with humid air is fairly small, you can resort to desiccant dehumidifiers.

Capacity

Undoubtedly, high ambient temperatures with less energy consumption are the perfect deal that only compressor dehumidifiers can give you. If your indoor space is desperately in need of drier air, and having air conditioners does not help, it can only mean you need a high-capacity dehumidifier.
Sometimes, the density of humid air in the room might be less and air conditioning the area for a short while would cause a change in the room temperature which can be good enough. If your intention is to achieve just this small change in room temperature, the capacity of desiccant dehumidifiers would be sufficient.

Desiccant model dehumidifiers will have an absorbent, most like silica gel, which has the capacity to act upon humid air, reducing humidity effectively to give you drier air. However, the capacity is minimal. The area battling high humidity cannot be large, nor can the density of the humidity levels.
On the contrary, compressor dehumidifiers can act upon large areas efficiently. A compressor model dehumidifier can cover even an entire home, say close to 2000 square feet. They can act upon high humidity levels and can remove moisture from the air. Compressor units come in different capacities depending on their moisture absorption ability. 30-pint dehumidifier, 70-pint dehumidifier, etc; based on the number of pints of water they absorb from the air.

Hence, in the capacity criteria if you were wondering about desiccant or compressor units; the answer is reflective of the purpose you aim to meet.

Noise

The noise level that both desiccant dehumidifiers and compressor dehumidifiers generate might be a huge cause of concern if you tend to place the dehumidifier in an area that cannot have loud noise going on. Most homes have dehumidifiers in their bedroom, even letting them run overnight; lounge area, restaurants, offices, etc. These places apart from benefiting from the ambient temperature and a nice cold room can also use some silence. Having a device running with a loud fan noise is definitely going to be disturbing.

When it comes to fan noise generation while operating, the desiccant model or thermo electric models are known to be quieter. Most desiccant models would not even generate more than 40 dB while the dehumidifier works to remove extra moisture from the air. If you opt for an option like the low fan speed mode, you might never notice a dehumidifier running in the room with you. However, when a desiccant dehumidifier works at high fan speed, the fan noise it makes might be equivalent to its compressor counterparts.

In a compressor model, on the other hand, all models would operate in a sound range higher than 40 dB. It is hard to quiet down these models while they work on extracting moisture from the air. However, there are recently available ‘Whisper Quiet’ models that will guarantee you the silent undisturbed operation. The most popular choice among them being the Mitsubishi electric range. This compressor model has a whisper-quiet mode of operation during extracting moisture.
Therefore as far as the noise level is concerned in the desiccant and compressor dehumidifiers battle, the winner is the desiccant dehumidifier.

Low-temperature operation

Checking how a dehumidifier works in environments with low temperatures is important. You must ensure that the unit that you have purchased is eligible and equipped with the capacity to withstand a drop in room temperature. There are certain features that facilitate the easy and seamless working of dehumidifiers in cold spaces. This is essential to maintain the longevity of your unit to help it carry out the drying process even in a cold room.

Let us look at how compressor dehumidifiers work in low temperatures. It is primordial for a compressor unit to maintain its inner portion colder than the air in the room. Say if the device is dealing with cold spaces, where the room temperature is dropping under 15°C, the compressor dehumidifier that you have will have to work harder to maintain a cold surface on the inside that is lesser than the room temperature. This is hard work!

If the room temperature keeps dropping and reaches close to 10°C, this means the inside of the dehumidifier is getting close to freezing point. When a refrigerated coil gets close to freezing point, the chances are high where it may develop ice formation. This mechanism of striving to maintain the cold surface is a similar concept in air conditioners as well.

To combat this ice formation, compressor dehumidifiers are designed with auto-defrost features. This will make the dehumidifier spend two-thirds of its time on defrosting. Ice build-up in a refrigerated coil will hinder the performance of the device. Reducing humidity, filtering dust mites, etc., will become a challenge.

In contrary to this performance, desiccant dehumidifiers are known to maintain a consistent performance at turning damp air into drier air, regardless of the room temperature fluctuations.

Warranty

Most companies offer a certain period of time as the warranty period for different appliances. Accessing how beneficial was the warranty period certainly depends on the product’s worth and performance. Are you wondering; compressor vs desiccant, which among these has a better warranty policy? The answer to your question is; ‘It is relative to the product’.

Our Verdict:

When should you use a desiccant dehumidifier?

If you find your list of requirements within these pointers, then you can use help from desiccant dehumidifiers for your home.

✔ Desiccant dehumidifiers are the best option for cold weather. Although their compressor counterparts are built to be sturdy for high ambient temperatures, the desiccant models are capable of maintaining consistent performance in reducing humidity despite room temperature fluctuations.
✔ You should use a desiccant dehumidifier if you want a low-maintenance dehumidifier since these do not use any refrigerant gas and require just recharging of the silica gel or which desiccant material they contain.
✔ Desiccant dehumidifiers are the most recommended choice for those looking for low noise level dehumidifiers. They operate very quietly.
✔ Desiccant models are the best portable dehumidifiers. While a compressor dehumidifier might weigh anywhere over 10 kgs, a desiccant model would weigh from 5 kgs to 9kgs. If there are other rooms in the house in need of damp air removal, you can move the desiccant dehumidifier to that place easily. A compressor dehumidifier cannot be moved around the house with ease. However, you can get an entire home covered for humid air removal with just one compressor dehumidifier (based on its pint capacity). If you are looking for a portable dehumidifier, desiccant dehumidifiers are the right choice.
✔ Desiccant dehumidifiers are a more durable option in comparison to how compressor dehumidifiers work. A compressor dehumidifier will require internal coil maintenance, refrigerated gas refilling, and more. However, this is not the case with how desiccant dehumidifiers work. Since they are just like a sponge or silica gel that simply absorbs the moisture via the desiccant wheel; it is sufficient if the wheel is regenerated by an inbuilt internal heater for the process to continue. You can expect less energy consumption from desiccant dehumidifiers.

When should you use a compressor dehumidifier?

If the following pointers meet your list, you might have to consider purchasing a compressor dehumidifier.

Compressor dehumidifiers thrive in warmer temperatures. This is mainly because of their internal coil whose cold surface has to remain colder than the room temperature that exists. High ambient temperatures are ideal to run compressor models. If your home is free from the risk of running into low temperatures you might be happy with how compressor dehumidifiers work.

Many compressor models are designed to give customers less energy level consumption. If your home and energy bill can use this, along with getting moisture removal, you can choose this model over the desiccant counterparts.

Which is the best desiccant dehumidifier?

ivation dehumidifier

If you have identified that your home needs a desiccant dehumidifier, you should look into Ivation 19-Pint Small-Area Dehumidifier. This desiccant unit has been designed to effectively remove the musty smell, dust mites, damp air, and mold. It can warm air in ambient temperatures and is indeed the perfect choice for colder weather.

Similar to how most desiccant dehumidifiers work, the Ivation model is also capable of giving whisper-quiet operation and humidity control for small spaces. It can cover an area of up to 410 square feet, be it in your home, laundry room, boat, or RV.

The Ivation desiccant dehumidifier has a high-capacity water tank that can hold 1/2 gallon of water.

The device comes along with a connection hose meant for continuous drainage. Other benefits of using this dehumidifier model are; user-friendly LCD display, a sleek and stylish digital interface with which you can power On/Off, adjust humidity, fan speed, timer and sleep mode, vent swing, and even adjust the screen brightness. The carry handle makes portability better and the washable filter ensures you get rid of dust mites thoroughly. If these features are what your home will need from a desiccant dehumidifier, you ought to look into this unit.

Pros and Cons of Ivation Dehumidifier
✦ Efficiently absorbs excess moisture from the air.
✦ Can keep home free from mold, mildew, musty smell, dust mites, and other allergens.
✦ Guarantees to send back drier air into the room.
✦ User-friendly design.
✦ Continuous drainage facility.
✦ Portability enhanced with easy-to-carry handles.
✦ Quiet operation.
✦ Desiccant units are built to be stable, however, the durability of this model can be improved.

Check latest price

Which is the best compressor dehumidifier?

homelabs-dehumidifier

There are plentiful compressor dehumidifier models available in the market. If you have arrived at the decision to purchase a compressor dehumidifier to meet your home requirements, it is advised to go after the best among them. HOmeLabs 4,500 square feet Dehumidifier is the highly recommended compressor dehumidifier model. Let us learn more about its features and advantages.

This large 50 pints dehumidifier comes with the capacity to hold 1.6 gallons of water and cover an area of 4,500 sq ft. Despite its large size and capacity, this compressor dehumidifier has a stylish design, caster wheels for portability, and even a quiet fan!

The other beneficial features of this compressor dehumidifier are; automatic shut off of the unit when the tank is full, alert when the water take is full, continuous 24-hour cycle, auto restart, drain hose outlet for continuous drainage facility, Turbo mode to increase the fan speed from normal to CFM 188 (for enhanced moisture removal and musty smell removal).

This compressor dehumidifier is Energy Star certified, which means you can be assured of getting a low electricity bill from this energy-conserving design. Are these features for your home? If yes, consult with a certified professional before you make the purchase.

Pros and Cons of HOmeLabs Dehumidifier
✦ Highly efficient moisture absorption; suitable for full home, basements, offices.
✦ Can cover an area of 4,500 square feet.
✦ Continuous drainage facility.
✦ Energy Star model.
✦ User-friendly design.
✦ Caster wheels for portability.
✦ The build quality can be improved.

Check latest price

FAQ Section

1. Do all dehumidifiers have a compressor?

No. Only compressor dehumidifiers have a compressor within them. Desiccant dehumidifiers do not have a compressor. This is why they operate at the lowest noise level.

2. Is a desiccant dehumidifier better?

The advantages and disadvantages of both desiccant and compressor dehumidifiers have been discussed. The way in which compressor dehumidifiers work might or might not suit your requirements. Hence to answer if desiccant or compressor dehumidifier is the best; the answer is both. Each serves a unique purpose.

3. How long do desiccant dehumidifiers last?

Desiccant dehumidifiers have very few moving parts, hence their lifespan is expected to be longer. However, the crucial desiccant material or the absorbent, like Silica gel, might have to be replaced as and when essential. Although the gel can be recharged and used again by an internal heater, the absorbent may wear out.

4. How does a desiccant wheel work?

The desiccant wheel works through two separate out streams. One is the air to be dried and the other one is meant for drying itself, to be capable of absorbing more moisture.

5. Do compressor dehumidifiers cool the air?

Compressor dehumidifiers DO NOT BLOW COOL AIR. They do not function like air conditioners. In air conditioning, you have the device blowing out cool air and altering the room temperature of the area. However, compressor dehumidifiers by the process of reducing the level of high humidity simply might create the impression of cooling the air. The reality is that they remove the excess water content from the air. When the humid air has been lifted off from the room, you will get a cooler environment that is comfortable to stay in.

Wrapping Up

Hope you found the article useful to visit the battle Compressor Vs Desiccant dehumidifiers. We trust you will be able to find the right pick of dehumidifiers for your home after carefully gauging the advantages and disadvantages of both models. Let us know which unit you have at home and how they work for you.

How to use a dehumidifier in the basement

How to use a dehumidifier in the basement?

3 Key Takeaways:

🚀 Excess moisture in the air can cause a range of problems, including health issues, mold growth, and structural damage.

🚀 Choosing the right size and type of dehumidifier for your basement is important. Consider factors such as the humidity level, square footage, ventilation, and temperature.

🚀 It’s important to consult with a professional to analyze your basement’s specific needs and requirements before deciding on the right dehumidifier for your space.

Our expert tips on using dehumidifier correctly.

 Excess moisture content in the air is a hazard. No matter which part of your living space is battling excess moisture content in the air, the problems it brings with it are going to persist if you do not find a way to remove excess moisture at the earliest.

Health problems from asthma and allergies, respiratory illness, dust mites, mold spores accompanied with mold growth, mildew, wood rot, cracked ceilings, separated wood floors, damp walls, structural damage, etc., are some of the many issues that arise with humidity problems.

One must find ways to maintain the relative humidity levels in the environment to keep these issues at bay. More moisture will lead to more trouble, which will result in you shelling out more money than necessary.

Laundry rooms, crawl spaces, and basements are one of the most neglected parts of a home. These isolated dark and moisture-filled places become the house to mold growth quite often. Using basement dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air and keep the indoor humidity balanced is the best solution to this problem. The functions between high and low temperatures in these spaces, often lead to homeowners running a basement dehumidifier year-round.

Let us learn how to use a dehumidifier and how a dehumidifier works in a basement and what to remember while using it.

What kind of dehumidifier do you need for basement?

trying to do dehumidifier fix

Getting the right size dehumidifier is an important step that you cannot overlook. Solving the humidity problem in the basement largely depends on what kind of basement dehumidifier you are getting.

There are different models available in the market, each of them sporting a different feature. Some things to remember when you run a dehumidifier in a basement is that,

What is the basement humidity approximately on a regular basis?
You might not be visiting the area quite often so you must have proper drainage in store?
What are the square feet of the space expected to cover?
Does the basement have room for an exhaust fan, the ventilation of the area?
Is the basement at the risk of running into lower temperatures?
Is there pre-existing structural damage?
Is your home equipped with an HVAC system that can cover the basement and crawl space as well?
Would you benefit from portable dehumidifiers or you want exclusive basement dehumidifiers?

These are a few of the many questions you need to ask yourself and analyze the situation and requirements of your basement with a certified professional. On making a thorough study of the space, the professional will be able to help you decide which would be the right dehumidifier for your basement.

How big of a dehumidifier do you need for my basement?

Getting the right size dehumidifier for any area is crucial. How well a dehumidifier works to remove excess moisture from the air and maintain the basement humidity level is entirely dependent on its capacity. Hence it is important to pay attention to this detail. Here is the most followed estimation when it comes to buying basement dehumidifiers.

In order to dehumidify a basement with an area of 1000 square feet, it is recommended to get a 14-pint capacity dehumidifier. If the area has a high humidity level at all times and is filled with dampness, you can choose a basement dehumidifier that can hold 12 pints of water for a 500 square feet area. To this, add an additional 5 pints for every 500 square feet.

When should you use a dehumidifier in the basement?

homelabs-dehumidifier

The need for a basement dehumidifier arises when the relative humidity level has to be maintained. To get rid of excess humidity in the basement, it is advised to run a dehumidifier in the basement as and when required.

If you notice that the relative humidity levels are above 50 percent and are consistently high, it is important to use a dehumidifier to remove moisture that is accumulated in the basement (or other rooms as well) and balance out the indoor humidity.

Sometimes, there can be obvious signs of damage caused by excess humidity levels in the space. Mold growth, persistent health problems, wood rot and structural damage, poor indoor air quality, are some of the signs that point out that your basement is affected by high humidity and is in need of a dehumidifier.

Where should you put a dehumidifier in the basement?

You cannot underestimate the difference placing the dehumidifier at the right spot would make. Effective dehumidification does not stop with purchasing the right dehumidifier. You have to set it in the correct place to make the best use of the basement dehumidifier work potential.

If the humidity problem in your basement is minimal and you own a portable dehumidifier, it is best advised to place the device on the floor. It has been proved that dehumidifiers work to the best of their efficiency when they are in close proximity to the source of moisture. Being close to the ground is certainly going to have a huge impact on how they remove excess moisture from the area.

Keeping the dehumidifier on an elevated surface reduces the convection circulation of air. When the unit is placed on the floor, it was seen that the dehumidifier released warmer air than what it took in. We know that the unit will draw air that is laden with moisture, run it over its frozen coils, extract the moisture from the air and send back drier air into the room.

The moisture collected via condensation is turned into water and collected in the tank below. This collected water can be emptied out using a drain hose or condensate pump, or sump pump (depending on the dehumidifier model).

For this air absorption to take place effectively, the unit must be placed in a position that does not hinder the device to draw air into it. Keeping the dehumidifier at a convenient distance from the wall, removing all furniture or other objects that are near the air filter, and block the movement of air must be removed. Placing the dehumidifier close to the sump pump or outlet for proper drainage is another aspect to consider to avoid spills.

What temperature should a basement dehumidifier be set at?

perfect humidity

Most dehumidifiers have settings that permit you to set the temperature and relative humidity that you prefer the unit to be operating upon. Setting the dehumidifier to a basement humidity of 60% or below might be comfortable. However, it is widely agreed upon that 45% to 50% is comfortable and good settings to maintain the room at.

How much does it cost to install a basement dehumidifier?

The cost of installing basement dehumidifiers will vary depending on different factors. The type of dehumidifier, the number of dehumidifiers to be installed, etc. Moreover, your local area might have certain fixed rates within which the companies or professionals might operate. Here is an average range of costs for installing a basement dehumidifier.

A whole-house dehumidifier installation can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $2,800. Likewise installing a dehumidifier in your crawl space can cost from $1,500 to $2,000. Installing basement dehumidifiers can cost you from $1,300 to $1,800.

These rates might vary between professionals.

How do you lower the humidity in an unfinished basement?

humid weather

High humidity levels can be lowered in an unfinished basement by following some simple tips.

1. Open out some windows
Promoting air circulation in the space will help to reduce high humidity. Opening up the windows is a great way to ensure there is some air circulation happening within the area. If your basement has windows or vents in it, open them out whenever possible. This will help to bring down high humidity.

2. Increase the temperature
Did you know that maintaining the relative humidity level in the air can be done by just heating up space? This increases the temperature in the room by just a tad bit and can help to reduce the existing humidity levels. Low temperatures become the ideal place for dampness and moisture accumulation. Next time you notice humidity building up and want some quick relief in your basement when you cannot or do not use a dehumidifier at that moment, just turn up the thermostat by a little bit.

3. Remember to keep the area clean and free from clutter
Darkness. Mold and mildew thrive in dark and damp areas. Having too many things around the house or basement that are difficult to clean will become the breeding grounds for mold and mildew or even other allergens.

Mold growth can be prevented by keeping the space clutter-free and clean. Humidity can be kept under control by keeping the basement and other rooms of the house free from clutter.

4. Seal the gaps
Humid air escaping into the house is a silent source of high humidity. Identify the small gaps, holes, or cracks through which humid air from the outside can slip easily into the basement and other rooms in the home.

5. Invest in a dehumidifier
The right basement dehumidifier works for your benefit. The powerful water extraction that a basement dehumidifier can give you is going to balance the humidity levels in your place like nothing else.

Basement dehumidifiers come with a wide range of advanced features that will make maintaining relative humidity simple. The recent updates to models include Energy Star certification (in line with Environmental Protection Agency), Automatic Shut Down and Shut Off, Automatic Defrost, Auto Restart, etc. You can also make the pick between different types and models; be it portable dehumidifiers or units installed into your HVAC system.

FAQ Section

1. Do most basements need a dehumidifier?

Yes. Basements are areas that are naturally damp and filled with moisture, which leads to high humidity. The rise in humidity levels is the main reason for fungal activities and drop-in indoor air quality. Preventing mold growth, mildew, structural damage, and one of the best resorts to improve indoor air quality (with an air filter) in your basement is by investing in a good and suitable basement dehumidifier.

When you run a dehumidifier in crawl spaces or basements (or even other rooms), you can be assured that these devices will monitor the fluctuating humidity levels. The unit will draw air that is moisture-filled from your basement’s environment and property. It will absorb the excess water and send back drier air. Since most basements struggle at maintaining humidity levels, dehumidifiers are the ideal choice to achieve the need.

2. Will a dehumidifier dry out my basement?

Yes! You can study thorough research on how dehumidifiers work and their impact on the existing humidity levels in a space before you purchase a unit. Your basement dehumidifier is equipped to not just dry out the basement and get rid of the dampness, rather it comes with several benefits. You can remove mold growth, ensure that mold spores are dormant, improve indoor air quality with the help of the air filters within the unit, prevent structural damage, etc., when you use a dehumidifier.

3. How long should you run a dehumidifier in the basement?

Experts recommend that crawl spaces and basements could benefit a large extent when you run a dehumidifier for 12 hours. This time length can assure you to keep the humidity levels under control.

Wrapping Up

Hope you found the article helpful in understanding how to use a dehumidifier in the basement. Share with us your experience in using basement dehumidifiers and how they have worked for you in maintaining humidity levels in your basement area.

author-image

About The Author

Olivia — a self-confessed air quality addict — is a home climate enthusiast, fresh air advocate, and someone with deep personal experience and knowledge about mold extermination. Her work was mentioned in countless notable humidity publications. Previously she was an editor at Mold Remediation.

Will a dehumidifier remove standing water

Will a dehumidifier remove standing water?

3 Key Takeaways:

🚀 A dehumidifier can help remove moisture from damp walls and floors, but it cannot completely remove standing water that is several inches deep.

🚀 Dehumidifiers are equipped with the power to remove moisture from the air, surrounding, damp walls, floors, ceiling, etc. Their fans will blow air across the condensing coils, which will pull out moisture from the air and space.

🚀 To mention two of the best dehumidifiers: Dri-EAZ F413 Revolution LGR Compact Dehumidifier and Perfect Aire Damp2Dry 65 Liter/150 Pint Dehumidifier.

Flood, this is a huge cause of worry no matter where it is or how far the water damage is. A flooded basement or flooded home is every homeowners’ nightmare. When there is a flood in your home, it is going to cause a whole deal of damage to property and money. The drying process is strenuous, it is expensive, and it is slow.

Thankfully, our hope lies in the latest technological advancements that help to handle floods and their resulting damage better. Removing standing water or flood can be done with the help of professional equipment and dehumidifiers. Remember, if you notice signs of wet basements or crawl spaces; act upon them at the earliest. You have to remove water as soon as possible to save your personal items from water damage (and mold!)

Water problem in the basement, crawl space or place in a home or room has a long list of problems that it brings with it. Damp floors or ground that are prone to rotting, wet walls, furniture, and other personal items, etc; removing water from these properties and keeping them dry is essential. If not, you will have to deal with mold growth and other issues that arise with moisture coming into the play. Mold and mildew remediation is also going to cost money and time.

Hence, it is important to deal with water damage without delay and find the best ways and methods to pull moisture or water away from the wall, floor, ground, and property. When you fail to fix moist air, you will have to deal with a home in need of constant cleaning and battling with increased relative humidity.

Let us look into the water damage that comes with water standing or flood in space and how a dehumidifier running in a room helps to get rid of standing water and works to remove moisture.

Will a dehumidifier get rid of standing water?

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Getting rid of water damage is going to take time and effort, there is no doubt about that. If you were to ask if dehumidifiers can remove water from a space; well the answer is relative.

Can a dehumidifier remove or pull moisture from damp walls and floors?

Yes! Can it remove water that is standing for several inches deep in a flooded basement? No, it cannot completely remove that. You have to hire professional service and equipment to drain the water, fix the leak, and the dehumidifier can then help you out.

As the water drains out, you can have a dehumidifier running to deal with excess moisture and water vapour removal and to control the high humidity level.

The dehumidifier can give you dry air, dry floor, and drywall. Although it can pull out the dampness extensively and ensure your home is no longer wet; a dehumidifier cannot drain water that is standing for inches deep. It does help to accelerate the drying process but has little role to play to drain the water from the space.

If you are going to solely rely on dehumidifiers to drain the water accumulation, you must be well aware that it is not going to be able to fix the problem entirely and it is going to take a lot of time. The speed at which dehumidifiers pump out water could extend to several weeks.

Common reasons for standing water

The source of water stagnation in your house could be anything – surface water, groundwater, indoor humidity from fluctuating temperature, outdoor humidity seeping in through windows, rain or storm that caused a leak, etc. Let us look into these reasons in detail and how to cover the problems they bring.

a) Surface water intrusion:

When water runs towards the foundation and finds an entry it is called surface water intrusion. When the surrounding soil is saturated or the water table is high, groundwater will enter via the walls or floor through hydro static pressure.

Moist and warm summer air entering a house through the windows or doors could condense on the basement floor and walls.

Increased humidity can be created and settle in the basement, making the floor and walls damp through indoor activities. For example, poor ventilation for the laundry room.

Damp or wet furniture that one is yet to get rid of.

Issues with roof drain system. When there is a clogged gutter or downspout, (via which the rainwater has to flow through during a storm), there will be overflows into the gutter. Make sure to spend time cleaning the gutter when needed; and also install a cover or seal that will prevent debris accumulation in the gutter. This cover can be an easy fix to the problem.

Wet basements could also be from window wells and stairwells that collect water that could leak into the room or basement. You could fix a clear plastic cover on the window well, and a roof to cover or seal the area over the stairwell.

Ground surrounding the basement becomes saturated with rainwater or underground spring. If your foundation has tiny cracks in them, the water pressure from the saturated soil will push water through them. Water will begin to leak in if the groundwater level is higher than the basement floor.
When you fix an interior crack, it does not mean that you can shut off the water from entering the exterior portion of the wall. Contact a basement specialist to check into your house thoroughly to fix the problem.

b) Humidity from inside the house:

Basement walls and floors can show condensation of moist air. As a fix, you can install energy-efficient windows, use dehumidifiers, air conditioners, and promote air movement or air circulation within the house to prevent moisture buildup and high relative humidity.

Working sump pump can lead to high humidity indoors. To fix this, use a tight seal cover on the sump pump, install a floor drain; this will help water to get to the sump.

Crawl space or dirt floor is the reason for moisture coming in. To handle this, use a sealed polythene moisture barrier on the floor and pour concrete over it. Ground cover will inhibit moisture seeping through the earth for crawl spaces.

If you have heat ducts or water pipes in the perimeter walls around your house, you could insulate them. Try to vent basement showers outside directly. This will also help to lower the humidity level and keep your basement safe from mold and mildew.

Drying standing water with a dehumidifier?

Dehumidifiers can certainly be used to assist the drying process in water damage or water restoration. Dehumidifiers are equipped with the power to remove moisture from the air, surrounding, damp walls, floors, ceiling, etc. Their fans will blow air across the condensing coils, which will pull out moisture from the air and space.

Will a dehumidifier help with water damage?

Yes! When dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the space, you can save as much of the property as possible. You can also have a space that is dry and free from water damage.

How to dry water damage using a dehumidifier

After the stagnated water has been removed, shift the dehumidifier to the centre of the space. A central position will enable the dehumidifier to function effectively.

Household Vs Water Restoration Dehumidifiers for water damage

Household Vs Water Damage Dehumidifier

Whole-House dehumidifiers are slightly different from Water Restoration dehumidifiers. The latter has special features and designed to have more power-filled action when it comes to the restoration process. It certainly can cover a large space with ease and can finish the work quicker; which can take a regular household dehumidifier weeks together.

How to avoid water damage?

1. Have leaks fixed as and when you find them; do not postpone.
2. Set aside time for cleaning the gutters and downspouts.
3. Look into sewer backup.
4. Install water detection services and know your piping.

What type of dehumidifier is best for water damage?

There are plentiful water damage restoration dehumidifiers in the market. You can select one based on the need you have.

To mention two among the best dehumidifiers: Dri-EAZ F413 Revolution LGR Compact Dehumidifier and Perfect Aire Damp2Dry 65 Liter/150 Pint Dehumidifier.

How to fix a damp basement?

As aforementioned, the only solution to put a full stop to dampness in the basement or crawl space or any space for that matter is to find a permanent solution.

Isolate the source of dampness and resolve it. Always dehumidify internal causes of humidity like cooking, clothes dryers, and bathrooms. Have portable or small dehumidifiers wherever required in the basement (even if not a whole-house dehumidifier).

Remember not to ventilate the basement with humid warm air. You can have ventilation via an air conditioning system or with a desiccant-type heat exchanger.

Will a dehumidifier help damp walls?

Yes. Dehumidifiers will help to extract dampness from the walls in any space. Crawl space, bathroom, basement, kitchen; no matter where you place your dehumidifier, it will help you to remove dampness from the walls there.

Dehumidifiers vs Fans: which is better for water damage?

Although both fans and dehumidifiers can help to dry the space quicker, having a dehumidifier running is always more efficient. Fans will have an influence on the temperature, air movement, or air circulation, but unlike dehumidifiers, they cannot extract moisture from the environment.

How long does it take for a dehumidifier to dry out a room?

It depends on the amount of water stagnated in the area. If it just a few ml it will take hardly 20 minutes to dry out the area. If it is many liters of water that have to be dealt with, it could take weeks together. It is recommended that you have the water pumped out first.

Wrapping Up

Hope you found the article helpful in understanding the role of dehumidifiers in standing water removal. Share with us your experience with water removal using dehumidifiers and how much property you managed to save.

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About The Author

Olivia — a self-confessed air quality addict — is a home climate enthusiast, fresh air advocate, and someone with deep personal experience and knowledge about mold extermination. Her work was mentioned in countless notable humidity publications. Previously she was an editor at Mold Remediation.

How quickly should a dehumidifier fill up

How quickly should a dehumidifier fill up?

3 Key Takeaways:

🚀 A dehumidifier should fill up its basin within 6 to 7 hours. How fast it fills up depends on several related factors like humidity in your room, temperature, motor capacity.

🚀 A dehumidifier fills quickly when there is a high moisture level in the air. When the humidity is higher and the temperature is more than 16 degrees Celsius, the dehumidifiers fill real quick.

🚀 The reason your dehumidifier keeps filling up is that you keep it running. No dehumidifier will keep filling up when it shut off except for the portable electric dehumidifier.

High relative humidity levels are trouble in any living space. Whether it is a home, office, warehouse, or basement; excess moisture in the air is not healthy. To handle this high moisture level we have wonder devices called dehumidifiers. When you run a dehumidifier in any area, it will extract moisture from the environment and give back drier air. Typically dehumidifiers also have the capacity to filter allergens and dust mites from the air, improve the air quality and circulate fresh and clean air.

A dehumidifier capacity will differ based on its model. When you run your dehumidifier unit, the excess moisture from the air is removed to bring about humidity control and you will notice the dehumidifier collect the extracted water into a bucket. How quickly dehumidifiers’ bucket fills up is going to depend on various factors.

They are, relative humidity level or RH levels, water tank capacity, surface area, how many hours a day you have the dehumidifier running, power level, dampness level in the room, how much moisture that particular room contains at that moment of time, etc.

Let us read more about how quickly the most commonly used capacities of dehumidifier works.

How long does it take for a dehumidifier to fill up?

When you have a new dehumidifier sitting in your living space, of course, you are eager for the unit to start working and draw air that is moist and damp into it. You are waiting for that water tank to fill up and to check when the RH falls. Unlike a refrigeration system or an air conditioner in which you can notice an immediate effect and change in room temperature, it is perfectly fine and normal for dehumidifiers to take some time before they begin operating correctly.

To notice a change in the relative humidity level existing in the room, you would have to allow the new dehumidifier run continuously for 12 hours before you can find a difference. Any average unit will take this time length to function for the first time, even if they run on full power. The device will have to assess the dampness level per sq ft room, surface area, current RH levels, and other criteria before it starts.

It is a common understanding that if there is more moisture in the air, for example in a laundry room, then the water collected will be relative to the moisture content in the air. Most commonly used capacities might take anywhere between 6 to 8 hours to fill their water tank. Remember, all these factors are relative. There is a lot of difference in unit capacity between portable dehumidifiers and a whole-house dehumidifier.

The time taken for these to fill their buckets will depend on how long and how often you run your dehumidifier and the humidity levels that the unit has to function in.

How long should you run a dehumidifier?

How quickly a dehumidifier fills up

Although many homes battle high humidity levels and let their dehumidifier run constantly, that might not be the case always. You can either choose to run the dehumidifier continuously twice a day for 6 hours span each or at a straight for 12 hours. An average unit that is operating properly can run for 12 hours a day to bring about humidity control.

Most dehumidifiers may end up extracting the same amount of moisture as those that run continuously as opposed to those that run only twice a day. To bring down the relative humidity level to 50 to 55%, you can run a minimum required capacity unit for 12 hours.

Know why your dehumidifier is filling so fast?

Man Removing dehumidifier water

Not all dehumidifiers will fill up at the same time or with the same amount of water. If you think that your dehumidifier is filling up fast there are some reasons that can explain it. How much moisture is present in the area and where the dehumidifier is located in the first place. If there is a lot of moist air in the environment, there might be an extra burden on the dehumidifier work potential.

If you have larger dehumidifiers and multiple rooms connected or more than one room to attend to but only one device working, then your device might be filling up fast again.

Laundry room with washing machines, kitchen with dryer or dishwasher are other areas in the house where the relative humidity level will be on the higher side,

Cracked pipes and water leaks in the basements or crawl spaces are other common reasons for the shoot in the humidity level in the air. In such cases, dehumidifiers will extract moisture quickly.

What to do if your dehumidifier fills up quickly?

If the dehumidifiers’ bucket fills up quickly and you are looking for ways to bring it down, check if these tips help.

Isolate the cause for the dehumidifier filling up the water bucket quickly. It is most probably too much moisture content in the air or in the surrounding. If it is leaks or cracks that can be fixed, it is best advised that you get to it. If it is the dampness that has to be handled by the dehumidifier only, then you need not worry since your unit is doing its work.

Check the manual if you have set the device on the right settings. Sleep mode might help to give the unit a break when not necessary and your dehumidifier will not collect water then. The lowest fan speed might also help the dehumidifier work slower than usual.

Consult with a professional if the internal parts need to be checked for any replacements or repair.
If everything is well and still you are not happy with the speed at which your dehumidifier collects water, you must check if the size of the room and the dehumidifier is proportional.

Larger dehumidifiers or a whole house dehumidifier is not necessary for small spaces. If you have either of these and you run a dehumidifier continually, there are good chances that the water tank is going to fill up quickly and you will end up with drier air than required. Make sure that you get dehumidifiers to suit your requirements correctly.

FAQ Section

1. Which is the best time of the day to use a dehumidifier?

It is quite natural to wonder which might be the best time of the day to run a dehumidifier. This question mostly stems from the concern over having to deal with a high electricity bill. If you are worried about consuming energy as the dehumidifier works for several hours a day, you can certainly figure a way to cut down the cost.

It is recommended that you run your dehumidifier between 10 pm and 7 am. Between these hours, an energy company will charge people less, since most of them do not consume higher levels of energy. You can find a way to run your dehumidifier in short intervals ranging from 4 hours during the day, and 4 hours during the night.

You can get control over the humidity level and still manage to conserve energy when you run your dehumidifier as suggested in intervals ranging for shorter periods.

2. How big a dehumidifier should you buy?

Dehumidifiers come in different sizes with varied features, The size of the dehumidifier you require for your home will depend on the minimum required capacity that your home is aiming at. The humidity levels that exist in your home, the expected dampness level capacity, the size of the room or home, etc., will decide if you need portable dehumidifiers or whole-house dehumidifiers.

Apart from regulating humidity levels, when you run a dehumidifier you also get better air quality. You have to take into account all aspects of dehumidifiers before you make the purchase. Consult with a qualified professional who will be able to access your home and then advise you on the dehumidifier size you need.

3. What happens if your dehumidifier runs non-stop?

Well, the truth is it is quite normal if you decide to run your dehumidifier continuously. Some environments have high humidity levels that are in want of constant dehumidification. It is essential to keep a close watch on the device since dehumidifiers lose effectiveness when not maintained properly.

Most modern dehumidifiers are equipped with a humidistat that will keep track of the humidity level in the area and decide its pattern of working. When the moisture content in the air is taken care of the unit will automatically slip into sleeping mode.

When you let your dehumidifier run constantly, you might have to get used to the noise level. It is, therefore best to go in for models that make less noise. Ensure to invest in a sturdy model that is equipped to control the humidity levels efficiently even while carrying an extra burden.

4. Why doesn’t your dehumidifier shut off?

If your dehumidifier does not turn off even when the bucket is full, there might be a problem with the unit. You could try to disconnect the dehumidifier from the power supply for 30 seconds and then turn it on again. If the problem persists, have a technician or professional check on it.

5. How often to run dehumidifier in basement?

Basements and crawl spaces are areas that are filled with moisture and need attention constantly to keep away mold and mildew. The high levels of humidity in basements might demand that your dehumidifiers should run all the time.

It is fine to let your dehumidifier run longer than 12 hours a day. However, make sure that the temperature and humidity are being monitored. Demanding too much from the device beyond its capacity might lead to a breakdown. This is how most dehumidifiers lose effectiveness.

6. How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?

On average, it might cost you anywhere around $153.30 per year or 42 cents/day, assuming that your unit runs for 10 hours a day.

7. How long should you run a dehumidifier after water leak?

Drying out a flood-damaged area can take anywhere between two days to several weeks, depending on the sq ft room and the extent of the damage. It is recommended to keep the dehumidifier running until the porous surfaces in the area have dried.

Wrapping Up

Knowing about dehumidifiers in depth can make you better in improving their performance and efficiency. Hope we have covered all the important aspects of how quickly a dehumidifier fills up in this article. Please let us know your feedback in contact form.

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