Do You Have a Household Moisture Problem? If you notice creaking floors, condensation developing on windows, or exacerbated allergy symptoms, your home's humidity levels may be out of whack. Low humidity levels can cause problems such as increased static electricity; respiratory problems; and cracking and peeling of furniture and paint, but purchasing an cheap humidifier for your home is an easy solution. However, high humidity levels are often a more interesting problem. If your home is too wet, it can be a breeding ground for mildew growth; stained ceilings and walls; and excess condensation on windows and mirrors. Those living in hot, humid climates may also find that their homes supply the optimal environment for pests such as termites.
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All About Humidity Levels - We hear about humidity daily in weather reports, and humidity is often likened to that muggy, steam-room feeling you perceive on a summer day. Humidity is usually expressed in ways such as absolute humidity and relative humidity. Absolute humidity refers to the mass of water vapor divided by the mass of dry air in a volume of air at a given temperature. As such, the hotter the air, the more water it contains.
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On the other hand, relatively humidity refers to the ratio of the current absolute humidity to the highest potential absolute humidity. If an environment has 100 percent relative humidity, this means the air is saturated with water vapor and can hold no more moisture. As a result, this creates the possibility of rain. Overall, humans are quite sensitive to humidity because the skin relies on air to get rid of moisture. Sweating is your body's way of holding cooling and maintaining its current temperature. This is why you feel much hotter than the actual temperature when humidity levels are high. Conversely, when there is low relatively humidity, you feel much cooler than the actual temperature because sweat is fast evaporating and cooling us off. In other words, if the air temperature is 75° F with zero relative humidity, the temperature will feel like it's 69° F. However, if the relative humidity is 100 percent at the same air temperature, it will feel like it's 80° F.
With that in mind, agreeing to the American community of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (Ashrae) appropriate Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, it is recommended that relative humidity be kept in the middle of 30% to 50% in the summer, and 30% to 40% in the winter. In order to portion humidity levels, you can buy a small, cheap hygrometer (often called a humidity sensor or relative humidity indicator). This device measures the humidity level in your home and will confirm whether there is too little or too much humidity. Once you are aware of the humidity levels in your home, you can then decide if you need to take action.
Again, if your air is too dry, you can regulate moisture levels with a humidifier. However, if your air is too moist, a dehumidifier can help speak the indoor relative humidity at the desired level, control musty odors, and safe furniture from water damage.
What is a Dehumidifier? Dehumidifiers are household appliances that help sacrifice the humidity levels in the air. There are primarily two types of humidifiers - desiccant and mechanical.
Desiccant dehumidifiers (or passive dehumidifiers) are named for their use of a desiccative substance to dehumidify the air. This substance has an affinity for water vapor, and the dehumidifying process involves exposing the desiccant matter to an air stream with high relative humidity. These dehumidifiers do not apply compressors and are best used in areas with low temperatures and relatively low humidity levels. Desiccant dehumidifiers can also be used instead of mechanical units or in compound with them. Although not as productive as mechanical models, they are usually very cheap to purchase. Examples of desiccant dehumidifiers would be the Eva-Dry Eh-500F and the Eva-Dry Edv300.
Mechanical dehumidifiers (or active dehumidifiers), however, are much more common, efficient, and are simply air conditioners with both the hot and cold coils in the same box. A fan draws the room's air over the cold coil of the Ac to dry the moisture, and this is often collected into a bucket. Dry air will then pass through the hot coil to heat it back up to its primary temperature. Therefore, mechanical dehumidifiers will slightly raise the air temperature, as opposed to air conditioners, which will cool the air as it dehumidifies it. Examples of mechanical dehumidifiers would be the NewAir Ad-400 and the Soleus Cfm40.
How to Buy a Dehumidifier When shopping for a dehumidifier, there are any factors to reconsider such as the size of the unit, dehumidification capacity, and protection features. Below is a list of some of the most coarse things to look for when selecting a dehumidifier and what they mean to you:
Size: The size of a dehumidifier is generally based on the estimate of moisture extracted from the air in 24 hours, which is usually measured in pints. buy a larger capacity model over a smaller one because larger units can dehumidify more area in a shorter estimate of time. Furthermore, a dehumidifier with a smaller capacity may run continuously and still not lower the humidity to proper levels.
Portability: If you're looking to move your dehumidifier from room to room, look for a unit that is compact, lightweight, and includes a carrying cope or rolling casters.
Built-In Humidistat: If you'd like to be able to adjust separate humidity levels, looking a dehumidifier with a humidistat is key. This highlight will automatically turn the unit on/off depending on the humidity setting.
Automatic Shut-Off: This function will allow you to turn the unit on or off without having to unplug it, and it also prevents overfilling when the storehouse tank is full.
Low temperature performance / automatic Defrost: If you may be using the dehumidifier in temperatures colder than 65° F, look for a unit that has an anti-frost sensor and can control in cold temperatures. This prevents quick cycling and frost from accumulating on the sensor.
Storage Tank Capacity: almost all dehumidifiers have storehouse tanks for the collected water. If you're not planning to buy a model with a continuous drainage port, you'll have to empty the tank periodically. If the dehumidifier is to be settled in an area where you may not be able to empty it frequently, look for a tank size of at least 15 pints.
Continuous Drainage: Dehumidifiers with a continuous drainage port will eliminate the hassle of emptying a condensation tank. simply attach a hose to the dehumidifier, and the moisture will drain out through the hose.
Washable / movable Air Filter: Dehumidifiers that have washable filters trap airborne dust and particles. If the filter is washable, this makes maintenance a breeze: simply pull out the filter; rinse it with mild soap and water; and replace it back within the unit.
How to Buy a Dehumidifier For Your Home
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