Here you can find our most Frequently Asked Questions on how to choose the right dehumidifier to suit a wide variety of needs and requirements.
General FAQ's:
- How do I stop mould from growing or mildew from forming?
Mould will not grown in humidity below 60% RH (Relative Humidity). By running a dehumidifier set to maintain humidity at 55% or lower so mould will not grow. Easy solution, buy a dehumidifier and keep mould at bay!
Take a look at our best selling domestic dehumidifier units and see which is the right one for you.
- Why am I only getting a lot of condensation / damp appearing in certain rooms?
Moisture condenses on the coldest surfaces: therefore although the humidity level may be high throughout your property, it will tend to condense on cold surfaces, typically windows or on the walls in rooms that are either North or East facing, rarely used unheated rooms, or rooms that are the only ones to have external walls. A dessicant dehumidifier is ideal for these conditions as they extract moisture at a constant irrespective of temperature whereas compressor dehumidifiers work best in warmer temperatures.
Our best selling dehumidifiers are:
- How long do I need to leave my dehumidifier running?
If your dehumidifier has a humidistat installed (most of our units do) ideally set the humidity level and leave the unit running. It will cut in and cut out as it needs to in order to maintain the desired humidity. Alternatively, you may prefer to switch your machine on and off as required or run it on the timer if it has one.
- Are dehumidifiers expensive to run?
Most domestic dehumidifiers will consume between 180 and 660 watts per hour – this equates to between 2 and 7 pence per hour at 2015 domestic energy prices. Bear in mind that the drier the air, the quicker the air will warm up when your heating is on. Therefore during the winter months the running cost of your dehumidifier will tend to be more than offset by the saving on your heating bill.
Used correctly, dehumidifiers can be a much more economical option for dying laundry than a tumble dryer. The latest energy efficient tumble dryers use at least 2500 watts per 120 minute cycle compared to an average of 880 watts for a desiccant dehumidifier for the same amount of time.
Consider that a desiccant dehumidifier positioned next to or below a clothes maiden will not only draw the moisture from the clothes but also blow warm, dry air over your clothes, drying them quickly – and there is no chance of your clothes being damaged in the process.
- Where is the best place to position my dehumidifier?
Although a build up of moisture, condensation or damp (due to high humidity) may be more apparent in certain rooms (see Point 2 above), the cause of the humidity will normally be routed in other rooms: eg drying washing, running showers and baths, boiling kettles and pans of water when cooking etc.
Therefore it is best to try and position your dehumidifier at a mid point in your property for the most part. Some people like to move their unit as and when required – e.g. if drying laundry in one room or if there is one room that is suffering the worst from condensation / damp.
- What are the Pros and Cons of a desiccant dehumidifier over a compressor dehumidifier?
Desiccant dehumidifiers tend to be smaller, lighter and a little bit quieter when operating, are more robust if you are movning the unit from location to location and are better in cooler conditions. Although desiccant units use more electricity per hour than compressor units they tend to extract moisture more quickly than compressor units. We recently tested a 7 litre desiccant against a 20 litre compressor in a domestic environment around 19 degrees centigrade temperature and the desiccant removed almost twice the amount of moisture in the same period of time.
We would only really recommend you use a compressor unit in temperatures of 20 degrees centigrade or higher. So in a fairly warm domestic, office or retail etc environment a compressor unit is ideal, In cooler environments like garages, sheds, storage areas, caravans and boats desiccant units are best.
- Does the desiccant material in desiccant dehumidifiers need to be topped up / replaced?
No. The desiccant material does not expire and does not need to be topped up or replaced: desiccant dehumidifiers use a desiccant material, typically Zeolite, which absorbs water vapour from the air in a similar way to silica gel. A fan draws air into the dehumidifier and passes it through a section of a slowly rotating wheel which holds desiccant which dries the air.
The moisture is extracted from the desiccant unit by heating a portion of the wheel not being used to dry the air. At this point the moisture immediately drips out of the Zeolite and the process starts again.
Domestic Dehumidifiers: Accomodation Suitability - Flats and Houses
| Two bed flat / apartment |
2 - 3 bedroom house |
4 - 5 bedroom house |
5 (+) bedroom house |
2 - 3 bedroom bungalow |
4 - 5 bedroom bungalow |
| 7 Litre Desiccant or 10 – 12 Litre Compressor Dehumidifier |
7 Litre Desiccant or 12 Litre Compressor Dehumidifier |
7 - 10 Litre Desiccant or 20 Litre Compressor Dehumidifier |
10 Litre Desiccant or 20 litre Compressor Dehumidifier
|
7 Litre Desiccant or 12 Litre Compressor Dehumidifier |
10 Litre Desiccant or 20 Litre Compressor Dehumidifier |
Our best selling domestic dehumidifiers are:
Click here to view our full range of domestic dehumidifiers to find the one that's right for you.
Domestic: Laundry Drying
- What is the best dehumidifier unit for drying laundry?
If you dry your laundry in a very warm room, a powerful 20 litre compressor unit will be suitable. If you dry laundry in your kitchen, living room or spare bedroom then a desiccant unit will be a much better choice. Some desiccant units have a laundry function on them and remember that a desiccant unit will be blowing warm, dry air over your laundry as well as sucking the moisture out of your laundry.
Our best selling laundry dryers are:
Read more about laundry drying with a dehumidifier here.
Domestic: Cellar
- What is the best dehumidifier unit for a cellar?
Cellars tend to be quite cold therefore a desiccant unit is best as they extract moisture at a constant irrespective of temperature whereas compressor dehumidifiers only work well in warm (20+ degrees centigrade) temperatures. Desiccant units are designed to run unattended for long periods of time in remote areas. They are supplied with a continuous drain option, as well as being able to collect in the tank, and are fitted with auto restart which means they do not need to be reset after a power cut, and can be left running on a plug timer if desired.
Domestic: Garage
- What is the best dehumidifier unit for a garage?
Garages tend to be unheated therefore a desiccant unit is best as they extract moisture at a constant irrespective of temperature whereas compressor dehumidifiers only work well in warm (20+ degrees centigrade) temperatures. Furthermore, a desiccant can reduce humidity to as low as 40% which is below the rusting point of metal – making them ideal for storing machinery or tools. Desiccant units are designed to run unattended for long periods of time in remote areas. They are supplied with a continuous drain option, as well as being able to collect in the tank, and are fitted with auto restart which means they do not need to be reset after a power cut, and can be left running on a plug timer if desired.
Domestic: Leisure
- What is the best dehumidifier unit for use in a motorhome / caravan?
A desiccant unit rated at around 7 litres per day will be best as is it will work as well in cool conditions as well as warm. Desiccant units are designed to run unattended for long periods of time in remote areas. They are supplied with a continuous drain option, as well as being able to collect in the tank, and are fitted with auto restart which means they do not need to be reset after a power cut, and can be left running on a plug timer if desired.
Our best selling caravan dehumidifiers are:
Read more about Caravan dehumidifiers here.
- What is the best dehumidifier unit for use on a boat?
A desiccant unit rated at around 7 litres per day will be best as is it will work as well in cool conditions as well as warm.
Desiccant units are designed to run unattended for long periods of time in remote areas. They are supplied with a continuous drain option, as well as being able to collect in the tank, and are fitted with auto restart which means they do not need to be reset after a power cut, and can be left running on a plug timer.
.png)
.jpg)
