Which Dehumidifier is Right for Your Home?
When it's time to choose the right dehumidifier for your home, you’ll find plenty of options on the market. As with any product, there are many features to consider before making a purchase.
Read this guide to find out which type of dehumidifier is best for you and your home.
All dehumidifiers work to remove moisture from the air by capturing it as liquid that can be safely disposed of. Simple, non-electrical moisture absorbers are only suitable for mild damp in small spaces, while condensing dehumidifiers perform better in warmer indoor rooms. Desiccant dehumidifiers are more efficient in colder environments.
Willis Carrier invented the first dehumidifier in 1902 to control moisture at a printing plant in New York City. His design, featuring water-cooled metal coils and a complex system of fans, ducts, and heaters, successfully maintained 50% relative humidity in a demanding environment throughout the year. His invention paved the way for the portable air conditioning and dehumidification systems we use all around the world today.
But things have become a little more complicated since then…
Here’s your handy guide to the main types of modern household dehumidifiers:
Any dehumidifier that uses an electric fan to draw air in is generally classed as an ‘active dehumidifier’. This is because it is 'actively' circulating air throughout the environment.
Compressor dehumidifiers use a fan to draw in humid air through refrigeration coils, causing moisture to instantly condense. The remaining dry air then recirculates into your home.
They work best in medium to large rooms at standard room temperature. Their high moisture extraction rates are perfect for getting damp areas back under control, or just for general moisture management in busy households. Just one unit can dehumidify a small flat or living room.
However, condensing dehumidifiers don’t perform well in permanently cold areas. When cold air contacts the coils, it can freeze instead of condense. If your dehumidifier spends too long in defrost mode, it won’t optimally dehumidify your space. For that reason, compressor models aren’t the best option for unheated locations such as basements, lofts, or garages.
In terms of electricity usage, compressor dehumidifiers tend to be more energy efficient than desiccant dehumidifiers (but always consult the manufacturer’s information). Many also include a continuous drainage option for convenient water disposal.
Some types of condensing dehumidifiers also include an air purification function. The level of purification matters, as it determines whether fine particles are effectively filtered or not. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are special types of filter that are capable of filtering tiny particles such as dust, bacteria and pollen from the air.
H13 HEPA filters are capable of capturing around 99.95% of particles up to 0.2 microns. HEPA filters are made of mats of randomly arranged fibres that act like a sieve to trap tiny particles. Always check the manufacturer’s information to make sure your air purifier is equipped with a HEPA-grade filter. Some high grades of HEPA filter can even remove viruses from the air.
Peltier dehumidifiers (also known as Thermoelectric Dehumidifiers) are often smaller, portable devices that are designed for single-room humidity control. Externally, they look similar to small condensing dehumidifiers, although their internal mechanisms are very different.
Two heat sinks sit either side of a Peltier element. When electric current runs through this module, one side becomes warm while the other side turns cold. In combination with a fan, moist air is drawn in, condensed and collected in a drip tray. Thanks to their relative lack of moving parts, thermoelectric dehumidifiers tend to be quiet. Remember, they can only remove a small amount of moisture from the environment per day.
Electrical desiccant dehumidifiers draw humid air in with a fan that runs the collected humid air over a moisture absorbing material. Desiccant models excel in cold spaces like unheated conservatories or garages. This makes them great for holiday caravans and boats in storage. Desiccant dehumidifiers are generally slower at removing lots of moisture, so they’re poor choices for really big spaces or very humid environments.
As there’s no refrigerant system, desiccant dehumidifiers are pretty reliable, and they often run quiet too. They tend not to include air purifiers, so go for a condensing dehumidifier with a HEPA filter if this is an important feature for your household (such as if you have pets). They are typically quite expensive to run compared to condensing dehumidifiers, so keep that in mind too.
Simpler desiccant-based dehumidifiers (also called absorbent dehumidifiers) usually come in the form of plastic containers, available in a variety of shapes and sizes, which contain a moisture absorbing material (often calcium chloride). When the material has dissolved, simply pour away the water and discard the empty container.
Another common type of absorbent dehumidifier is a fabric bag, generally filled with silica gel. Some types can be reused once they reached their maximum moisture capacity, typically by drying them in the microwave. Since they don't require power, these types of dehumidifier are useful for small spaces like wardrobes, cabinets or cars. They can also be used in wet rooms like bathrooms where electric dehumidifiers are not suitable, but be aware that because they remove water very slowly.
You can find the smallest absorbent dehumidifiers in everyday products like beef jerky packs, shoes and handbags: they're those little silica gel packets labelled “DO NOT EAT.”
In general, absorbent dehumidifiers aren’t suitable for tackling large damp areas, but they function in any temperature and operate silently.
After weighing the pros and cons of each type of dehumidifier, we recommend a combination condensing dehumidifier and air purifier for most households.
These models balance energy efficiency with effective moisture-capturing performance for excellent results in homes with persistent damp problems or occasional seasonal humidity imbalances.
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