Australian Dehumidifier Buying Guide

What happens when there is high humidity in your house?

Humidity refers to the density of water vapor in the air and high humidity means the air has a high moisture content.This causes the following:

Mould and Mildew

Window Condensation

Discomfort

Breathing problems

Allergies Allergies

Allergies

  • Mould and Mildew
    High humidity makes it easier for mould and mildew to take hold. Mould can be just as scary as it sounds. This fungal growth, which can be hiding behind your walls or under your carpet, can cause a myriad of health issues in otherwise healthy people and even prove catastrophic for those with certain illnesses or an allergy to mould.

    Mould is a fungus that can appear as a stain or raised almost “fuzzy” patches on the surfaces in your home. Toxic mould spores can get into the air and cause symptoms as mild as sneezing to severe breathing difficulties for some. Prolonged exposure to mould—specifically the mycotoxins released from mould—can put you and your family at risk for very serious health issues, including neurological problems, and even death. Mould release mould spores into the air which can trigger allergies, asthma attacks, irritate eyes, nose or throat resulting in sinus congestion and other respiratory problems.
  • Window Condensation
    Excessive moisture inside the house causes interior window condensation. When warm, moist air meets the cold windows – especially during cold weather, the moisture condenses. That’s because the cooler air surrounding cooler surfaces can’t hold as much moisture as warmer air.
  • Discomfort
    High levels of moisture make it difficult for the water on your body to evaporate, leaving you feeling sweaty and uncomfortable. People find it difficult to get to sleep and stay asleep when humidity levels are high.
  • Breathing problems
    Some people find it harder to breathe in a hot and humid environment due to the heaviness of moisture in the air – particularly those with asthma or respiratory problems.
  • Allergies
    Dust mites thrive when the humidity is high in blankets, sheets, drapes, rugs and even the air, making it difficult to tackle with normal cleaning. Lowering the humidity level is an effective way to control their activity thus decreasing allergic reactions caused by them.
    So reducing the humidity is a good way to control the spread of mould and mildew, regulate window condensation, alleviate discomfort, and help with some breathing problems and allergies.

A Dehumidifier decreases the humidity (moisture) in a room. By reducing condensation and damp, they help prevent mould, mildew, and dust mite activity - which can help people with being comfortable, breathing, and allergies. Dehumidifier remove moisture from the air removing anywhere from 1 litre upto(in some circumstances) 25 litres of water every day. That moisture and condensation that is taken into the dehumidifier is then released into a removable holding tank inside the device that you empty as needed or via a continuous drainage pipe.

  • To help prevent mould and inhibit dust mites’ activity.
  • Assist those with asthma and breathing difficulties.
  • Comfort in humid/hot sticky climates.
  • Manage damp in homes due to leaks and poor ventilation.
  • Manage moisture in the bathrooms
  • Manage mildew in wardrobes.
  • Dry clothes (in Asia dehumidifiers are frequently used as an alternative to a tumble dryer)

How do Dehumidifiers work ?

There are different types of Dehumidifiers in the market today and it’s essential for you to know what best fits your needs. Dehumidifiers are classified based on the technology used to extract moisture from the air – they may be classified as Desiccant, or Compressor.

Desiccant Dehumidifiers

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Absorb moisture from the air using a desiccant material (similar to silica gel that you are probably familiar with or you find in sachets with electronic goods or vitamin bottles). As air circulates through the dehumidifier, moisture is absorbed by the desiccant material.

The desiccant material is then heated to release the moisture into the dehumidifier’s water tank and the desiccant material is then reactivated. Since it doesn’t use a compressor, many customers prefer the desiccant dehumidifiers because they are lighter and quieter in operation.

They also work better over a wider range of temperature - especially in winter. The desiccant dehumidifiers have a consistent performance regardless of the temperature. So, any application whereby the room air temperature is likely to fall below 15°C then you should be looking at a desiccant dehumidifier.

Compressor Dehumidifiers

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Work similarly to a refrigerator. They use the same technology to create a cold surface. When warm air hits the cool surface, condensation forms and water is removed from the air.

However, to work efficiently, a compressor based dehumidifier relies on their being a large temperature difference between the warm air and cool surface. As a result, compressor based dehumidifiers don’t work well in cooler temperatures or winter conditions and are better suited to warmer climates.

Thermo-electric Dehumidifiers

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Use the thermoelectric effect to convert electricity into a temperature difference across a Peltier module. They then work similarly to a compressor based dehumidifier causing water to be extracted by condensation of warm air on a cool surface.

This created temperature difference is what facilitates dehumidification. Thermo-electric dehumidifiers are energy efficient and suit smaller spaces and work better in warmer climates.

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How much space do I need to dehumidify?

It's important to choose the right size dehumidifier. Otherwise, the unit may not be able to remove enough moisture from the air—to maintain the desired humidity level. For best results, select the right size unit based on the area (in square meters) of the space you need to dehumidify. If your space is at the high end of a dehumidifier's capacity, choose a larger size to ensure efficiency.

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Temperature range in the room you are placing it in?

The technology used in the Dehumidifier will determine which temperature range it will work efficiently in. Desiccant dehumidifiers work over a wide temperature range, working efficiently in both winter and summer. Compressor work best in warmer climates or warmer temperatures.

How will I eliminate collected water?

All dehumidifiers collect the water that they remove from the air, and you should consider how you will eliminate this water. Standard dehumidifiers contain buckets that you must empty regularly. They will automatically shut off when the bucket is full. Some dehumidifiers allow you to connect a drain hose to them, which allows you to empty the water into a floor drain or direct it outdoors.

Do I require any special features?

Different dehumidifiers come with various features, such as Humidistats. Humidistat allows you to set and forget the desired humidity level or range. The dehumidifier then automatically maintains that humidity level so that the air you breathe is comfortable, balancing the percentage of water vapour in the air and maintaining a healthy environment. Some special features include caster wheels or handles for easy mobility, air filters, digital controls, remote controls, integrated timers, and internal condensate pumps.

Not sure about the Humidity Level in your room?

ThermoPro Digtal Thermometer and Humidity Level Hygrometer

This ThermoPro Thermometer hygrometer helps you to manage indoor humidity levels.

  • Features a tabletop stand to place the monitor on your counter or use as a magenetic back to the fridge
  • Simple Humidity Level Indicator
  • Easy setting with High and Low Records

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