Tips For Purchasing Dehumidifiers

If you live in a very humid or moist environment, such as in the south or in areas that do not receive much sunlight because of high trees, it may be necessary to have a dehumidifier. High humidity results in the growth of mold and mildew, and this will not be a good thing for your house or your health. Following is a guide to getting the best dehumidifier for your needs.

Types of Dehumidifiers

There are dehumidifiers specifically for basements and other areas of the home. The perfect dehumidifier should take in a lot of moisture. There are two main types of dehumidifiers: refrigerative types work by sucking moist air over a refrigerated coil by a small fan. The other type is dessicantive. This type of dehumidifier uses a dessicant material to make the air to dehumidify.

There are a few things to contemplate when you are ready to purchase a dehumidifier. You will want it to have a container that is easy to empty; a washable air filter for cleaning with ease; an on/off switch; understandable controls; a adequate capacity; and be energy efficient. The most important consideration, however, is capacity. You will want to be sure the dehumidifier you buy has the capacity to remove as much moisture as possible.

Price

Dehumidifiers may be quite costly, depending on the size of your space. You will need a standing model in a basement, and possibly in a crawlspace. Most standing dehumidifiers will cost in excess of $200 and up to over $3,000. This is because they are made to remove a certain quantity of moisture from the air. On the other side of the spectrum, you can buy a $69.00 portable dehumidifier that can be used for the office, or placed in a bathroom. It is not meant to remove a substantial amount of moisture, but it can be good in a small space. Visit wize.com/dehumidifiers for further information on models and prices

Designs

Designs of dehumidifiers are quite similar. Most that will be placed in a basement or room at home are going to be standing models. Some will be rounder, and others rectangular. Some may have some odd shapes. You can see the variety of dehumidifier models at wize.com/dehumidifiers.

Ratings

You can find ratings and reviews of dehumidifers. The consumer website wize.com/dehumidifiers is a nice place to start. The site provides an overall score to each item based on numerous reviews, so you will get a good sense of what product is recommended highly.

Technical Specifications

Technical specifications will differ according to the capacity of the dehumidifier. A $350 machine will remove about 65 pints of water in 24 hours. It dehumidifies a room of about 1,300 square feet. A model in this price range is believed to have a high capacity and high performance rating. It will also have touchpad controls, with a digital display of temperature and humidity. It will have a washable filter and easy access for water removal.

Where to Shop

Dehumidifiers can be purchased in major home supply stores, such as Home Depot or Lowe’s. You can first see the full line of dehumidifiers on the internet, which often offers the best pricing. You can see price, model and capacities so that you know which model is optimal for your home needs.