Feeling sticky and hot during summer is definitely a familiar feeling. While you cannot change oppressive air outdoors, it is a different story in your home.
Use a dehumidifier in the summer time if you want to eliminate water vapors from the air in order to control humidity. Peeling paint, musty odors, mildew growth, and dampness on the windows are clear signs that you need to run a dehumidifier.
However, even when the effects of humidity are not very obvious, this machine is a crucial summertime addition to your house.
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Do’s and Don’ts
Regardless of where you live in or no matter how new or old your home is, your basement may suffer from severe moisture problems.
Everything from condensation on walls to big floods, whatever the problem is, moisture in the basement and other parts of your home isn’t a laughing matter.
Summer months come with increased humidity and increased moisture in the air.
Rooms are entirely or partially underground and forces including hydrostatic pressure work against the best efforts of prevention, which bring water into the basement.
Water damage affects the possessions you have in your home and the structure of your property.
Below are some of the do’s and don’ts of using dehumidifiers during summer time:
Install Some Dehumidifiers
These get rid of moisture from the air. Try to route dehumidifier’s drain hose to the floor drain if possible. It gets rid of the need to empty dehumidifiers continually.
Utilize Central Air Conditioning To Keep Your Basement Cool
The cold air carries less moisture and could help eliminate excess moisture once used with long running time.
Another option is to combine the central air conditioning with fans to keep air circulating and cool.
If humidity is a problem, try to open any windows and doors in conjunction with cold air for drying out space.
Do Not Use Heat For Limiting Moisture
Heating basement or any space of your home will just increase moisture instead of decreasing it.
Heat enables more humidity to enter the air and since hot air increases, you won’t only warm basements, but your living space upstairs as well.
Heating basements are the worst thing you could do for preventing humidity problems.
Dealing with Moisture Effectively Using Dehumidifier During Summer
If your place has advanced moisture issues, it could be time to contact professionals.
Your basement might have water in it due to clogged floor drains, cracks in walls of your foundation, bowing basement walls, and leaky hose of your washing machine.
Others are easy fixes while some might need more work that only trained professionals must provide.
Basement waterproofing technicians may diagnose the cause of your humidity and moisture and provide solutions including installing dehumidifiers, installing a sump pump, and sealing the foundation cracks.
The Perks of Using Dehumidifiers During Summer
Saves Money
Since dry air feels a bit cooler, dehumidifiers can help you enjoy savings on cooling your bills by enabling you to use air conditioner less.
Based on a study conducted, it was found that whole house dehumidifiers combined with central AC unity can help anyone enjoy savings over a year.
Also read:Â Will A Dehumidifier Help The Air Conditioner?
Improves One’s Health
Inhaling damp air inside your home may result in wheezing, coughing, and some asthma symptoms.
However, keeping the relative humidity in your house between thirty and fifty percent will decrease the growth of the dust mites and some allergens.
Aside from that, EPA says that keeping humidity might decrease the level of the toxins like formaldehyde from the things including carpets, varnishes, paints, cigarette smoke, and so on.
These can be released when the air inside is very humid and hot.
Related article:Â High Humidity In House Can Cause Health Problems?
Prevents Some Damages
Too much humidity may encourage the growth of mold and attract the pests like termites.
In the long run, it can cause corrosion and decay to building materials, which may lead to damage to the wooden support beams, insulation, furniture, paint, and floors.
Too much exposure for a long time may also warp books and can even take a toll on the electronics.
Factors to Note When Buying a Dehumidifier for Summer Use
Features
Majority of portable dehumidifiers have removable water bucket as well as a warning light to alert you once it is full and fitting for hose connection so you do not need to empty water tank.
You might also like to look for the frost sensor to maintain frost from forming on condensing coils once the temperature drops.
If you need a dehumidifier without a bucket then read this review I wrote:Â Bucketless Dehumidifier Review: Frigidaire FFAP7033T1
Size
It does not reference the dehumidifier’s dimensions, yet instead the capacity, which is the number of pints of water it can remove from the air during the whole day.
For homes with low levels of humidity, it is recommended to use 10-16-pint size for a place with a measurement of 500 sq ft. For 2500 sq ft, a dehumidifier with 26-44-pint size is recommended, yet it depends on the dampness level.
Choose Energy Star-Certified Dehumidifiers
These come with more efficient refrigeration coils, fans, and compressors than conventional models and would use thirty percent lesser energy.
Get the Best Deals
In late summer, dehumidifiers are available at affordable prices.
If you want to use a dehumidifier for the next summer season, better buy it in the off-season.
Choose a Whole-House System
The portable units of dehumidifiers cost less upfront. However, the capacity for removing moisture is lower and the running cost tends to be a bit higher.
Through installing custom-built whole house dehumidifiers, you can be assured that you will get better results.
Aside from that, you will be able to lower the operating costs while keeping your environment very comfortable and problem-free.
Just choose the right and best brand of dehumidifiers.
Read the following article if you wonder how much does it cost to install a whole house dehumidifier.
Where You Can Put the Dehumidifier?
Majority of dehumidifiers have air discharge mounted on top and may be placed against the walls, yet side discharge units must be operated away from the furniture and walls so that air may circulate freely.
To boost efficiency, see to it that you close windows and doors to the room while it is running.
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