What’s A Dehumidifier?
Whether you’re looking for ways to remove excess moisture or flooding from our basement or simply wanting to prevent humidity from building up in your basement, a dehumidifier might be just for you. But what does it do, and do you really need it? Here are some important things to know before purchasing a dehumidifier.
What A Dehumidifier Does
A dehumidifier is essentially a device or appliance that removes excess water from the air. They measure a room’s humidity and keep the levels in check to make the air more comfortable. With one operating, you’ll notice fewer signs of damp air—like that sticky feeling, or even physical manifestations like mold on the walls or condensation on windows.
Do I Need One?
A dehumidifier can certainly aid you if you’ve discovered a bit of that damp, moist feeling in your basement, but should not be the only plan of action you take. Ideally, you would call a waterproofer to ensure that excess moisture cannot get into your home and won’t damage your foundation, and then you would use devices like a dehumidifier to take care of any excess moisture that might sneak in. During hot, humid Maryland summers, this can be especially useful in managing indoor moisture.
What To Look For In A Dehumidifier
Before you go out and buy the first one you see, it’s helpful to know what to look for. Not all dehumidifiers are good ones, and not all good ones will be the right one to use in your home. Make sure to consider the size capacity of the one you purchase, ensuring it will be able to cover the square footage you need taken care of. Additionally, a good dehumidifier will have:
- An adjustable humidistat. This basically allows you to control moisture level.
- A built-in hygrometer. A hygrometer is a tool that’s used commonly in labs and storage places to measure humidity. This will help you understand the condensation levels in your basement, allowing you to adjust your humidistat accordingly.
- An auto shut-off. There’s no need to run it when it’s not needed, and one that automatically shuts off will make your life easier and reduce your carbon emissions.
- Automatic defrost. Using your dehumidifier a lot may result in the coils inside freezing, and an auto defrost will prevent this.
- Continuous drainage. It’s a bit of a pain to have to empty out the water, and it can be bad news if you forget to do it. Instead, find one that will drain continuously, and all you have to do is find a place to put the drainage hose.
- Full tank indicator. If the tank does reach capacity, this will make it turn off on its own.
- Portability. If it’s incredibly difficult to carry around, even short distances, consider a lighter, more portable option.
A dehumidifier can certainly aid in reducing the amount of moisture in the air, but it won’t prevent leaks or flooding in your basement. AA Action Waterproofing is happy to help you discuss your options so you can keep your basement nice and dry. Call us today at 888-922-5517.