Dehumidifier Benefits and Side Effects You Need to Know
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A dehumidifier can be a great addition to your home, especially if you live in a humid climate. Dehumidifiers work by removing moisture from the air, which can help make your home more comfortable and also protect your belongings from damage caused by excess humidity.
Most people only think about dehumidifier benefits when they have moisture and humidity problems. Still, there are a lot of benefits to using a dehumidifier that you may not be aware of.
However, you should know a few things about dehumidifiers before purchasing one. For example, dehumidifiers can have both benefits and side effects depending on how they are used, where they are used, and the potential health conditions of people in the house. It is important to understand these before making a purchase.
This article will discuss the benefits of using a dehumidifier in your home and the potential side effects you should be aware of.
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Top Choice  | Kesnos 70 Pint Dehumidifier
| 9.8 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Value  | hOmeLabs Dehumidifier
| 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Honeywell Energy Star Dehumidifier
| 9.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
What Do Dehumidifiers Do and How Do They Work?
Dehumidifiers work by pulling moisture out of the air. This can help make your home more comfortable and reduce the risk of damage to your belongings from excess humidity.
There are two types of dehumidifiers: refrigerant and desiccant. Refrigerant dehumidifiers work by cooling the air and condensing the water vapor on coils, similar to how a refrigerator works.
Desiccant dehumidifiers work by absorbing moisture from the air onto a desiccant, which is a type of material that can absorb water.
With both types, the water is collected in a tank and dumped or drained away through a hose.
Dehumidifier Benefits
There are many potential benefits to using a dehumidifier, including:
1. Reduces Musty Odors
If your home has a musty smell, it could be due to excess moisture in the air. A dehumidifier can help to remove that moisture and improve the smell of your home, which is an excellent dehumidifier benefit.
Musty smells are common in certain parts of the home like basements, laundry rooms, and storage areas. These areas tend to be more damp or humid, which is the cause of the musty smell. Using a dehumidifier can help remove the musty smells caused by excess humidity. Most dehumidifiers allow you to set the target humidity level so that you can adjust it to your preference.
If mold or mildew has already formed and is the cause of the smell, it will need to be addressed to completely eliminate the odor. However, a dehumidifier can help to reduce the chances of the smell coming back by making it harder for mold and mildew to grow.
2. Reduces the Potential for Mold Growth
Mold and mildew need water or moisture to grow. Mold spores are often present in the air, but they only start to grow when they have a source of water.
If your home is too humid, it provides the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Using a dehumidifier can help reduce the humidity in your home and make it less hospitable for mold and mildew growth.
In addition to reducing the potential for mold growth, a dehumidifier can also help prevent mold from spreading. If you have mold in your home, using a dehumidifier can help to dry out the area and make it less likely for the mold to spread to other parts of your home.
Kesnos 70 Pint Dehumidifier
Related: The Best Dehumidifier for the Bathroom
3. Reduces Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny creatures that thrive in humid environments. They are known to cause allergies and asthma attacks in some people.
If you have dust mite allergies, using a dehumidifier can help to reduce the dust mites in your home and make your allergy symptoms more manageable.
In addition to reducing dust mites, a dehumidifier can also help to reduce the amount of dust in the air. When the air is too humid, dust particles are more likely to float around and stay suspended in the air.
Using a dehumidifier can help reduce the dust in your home and make it easier to keep clean.
4. Helps with Allergy Symptoms
If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies, using a dehumidifier can help to reduce allergy symptoms.
Mold and mildew are common allergens and can cause symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes. By reducing the humidity in your home, you can help reduce mold and mildew growth and the allergens they produce.
If you have pets, their dander can also be a source of allergies. Using a dehumidifier can help to remove pet dander from the air and make your home more comfortable for people with allergies.
Anyone with allergies knows that every little improvement helps make life much more comfortable. Using a dehumidifier can help create a cleaner and more allergen-free environment in your home, adding to the list of dehumidifier benefits.
5. Improves Asthma and Other Respiratory Conditions
If you or someone in your family suffers from asthma or another respiratory condition, using a dehumidifier can help to improve symptoms.
Asthma attacks can be triggered by many things, including dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander. All of these allergens thrive in humid environments. Using a dehumidifier can help reduce the humidity in your home and the allergens that can trigger an asthma attack.
Dehumidifiers can also help to improve other respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema. These conditions make breathing difficult, so anything that can help improve breathing is welcomed relief.
6. Makes the Air More Comfortable
If you live in an area with high humidity, you know how uncomfortable it can be. The air can feel thick and muggy, and it can be hard to breathe.
Dehumidifiers help to make the air more comfortable by reducing the humidity. When the air is less humid, it feels cooler and easier to breathe.
hOmeLabs 1,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier
Related: Will a Dehumidifier Cool a Room?
7. Minimize Condensation
If you have ever seen water droplets on the inside of your windows, that is condensation.
Condensation happens when the air is too humid, and the water vapor in the air turns into liquid water. Condensation can damage your windows, walls, and floors. In extreme cases, it can even lead to mold growth.
By using a dehumidifier, you can help to minimize condensation and also reduce the risk of water damage in your home.
8. Reduced Energy Costs
In the summer, air conditioners have to work harder to cool homes that are too humid.
The extra work your air conditioner has to do can lead to higher energy bills. Using a dehumidifier can help reduce the humidity in your home and make your air conditioner work more efficiently. This can lead to lower energy bills and help you save money.
9. Protects Your House and the Things in It
The humidity in your home can damage your possessions and your house.
Pianos, paintings, paper, collectibles, and wood furniture can all be damaged by too much humidity. Excessive moisture can cause damage and promote the growth of mold and mildew.
Very high humidity levels can also damage the house itself. Excessive moisture can cause paint to peel, floors to warp, and ceilings to stain.
Using a dehumidifier can help protect your possessions and your house from the damaging effects of humidity, another one of the many dehumidifier benefits.
10. May Help with Pest Control
Some pests like spiders, cockroaches, and termites thrive in humid environments. By using a dehumidifier, you can create an environment that is less hospitable for these pests.
While a dehumidifier will not eliminate all your pest problems, it can help reduce the likelihood of future issues.
Honeywell Large Energy Star Dehumidifier
Possible Side Effects of Dehumidifiers
There are many benefits to using a dehumidifier in your home. However, there are also some potential side effects and warning signs that you should be aware of.
1. May Irritate Dry Skin or Eyes
If you have dry skin or eyes, using a dehumidifier can worsen these conditions. The dry air from the dehumidifier can exacerbate these conditions and make them more uncomfortable.
People with certain conditions like eczema may be especially susceptible.
2. May Cause Excessive Thirst or Dry Mouth
If you find that you are drinking more water than usual or your mouth feels dry, it could be a sign that the air from the dehumidifier is too dry. If you experience either of these symptoms, you should reduce the humidity level on your dehumidifier.
3. May Worsen Certain Health Issues
If you have a cold or the flu, using a dehumidifier could worsen these conditions. The dry air from the dehumidifier can irritate your nose and throat and make breathing difficult.
People with conditions like pneumonia or bronchitis may also find their symptoms worsening when using a dehumidifier. If you have any health concerns, you should speak to your doctor before using a dehumidifier.
4. May Cause Static Electricity
If you start to notice static electricity in your home, it could be a sign that the air from the dehumidifier is too dry. This is more likely to happen if you have carpeting in your home.
How Do I Know if I Need a Dehumidifier?
If you are not sure whether you need a dehumidifier, there are a few things you can look for.
If you see condensation on your windows or walls, if your house feels stuffy or damp, if you have musty odors in your home, or if you see mold or mildew, these could all be signs that you need a dehumidifier.
If you are unsure, you can use a hygrometer to measure the humidity levels in your home. The ideal range is between 30 and 50 percent. If the humidity levels in your home are higher than this, it could be a good idea to use a dehumidifier.
Related: How Long Do Dehumidifiers Last?
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Top Choice | Kesnos 70 Pint Dehumidifier
| 9.8 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Value | hOmeLabs Dehumidifier
| 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
| Honeywell Energy Star Dehumidifier
| 9.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
Final Thoughts on Dehumidifier Benefits and Side Effects
There are many benefits to using a dehumidifier in your home. By reducing the humidity, you can help to improve allergies and respiratory conditions, make the air more comfortable, minimize condensation, reduce energy costs, and protect your house and possessions.
While there are some potential side effects of dehumidifiers, they are generally temporary (if you’re sick) or only caused if the humidity levels are too low. In this case, you can simply adjust the setting on your unit, and the issues should be resolved. Overall, the dehumidifier benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks.
Using a dehumidifier is a great place to start if you are looking for ways to improve your indoor air quality.