There are certain factors that one must take into consideration before you actually spend any money on getting this type of appliance for your home. In this article we look at a few of the factors that must be taken into consideration before money is then spent on a dehumidifier.

1. First off you would be wise to spend a little time discovering more about the various types of dehumidifiers that you can purchase these days. This is vital because it will help you to better understand how they reduce the humidity levels within the rooms where placed. The kinds of dehumidifiers available today are known as desiccative, refridgerative and mechanical ones. Although work very well some require more energy to power them than others.

2. Another factor that one needs to take into consideration when it comes to buying this type of equipment for the home is the cost and how much you are willing to spend. Although you may think large units are a good investment the cost to initially purchase will be high and they will need far more energy to run. So rather look for those units which are of size that meet with your rooms measurements.

3. Another thing that is going to determine what sort of dehumidifier you purchase for your home is which rooms it is going to be placed in. For those who intend to place one in the basement to remove humidity and moisture make sure that it has the facility to cope with limited fresh air circulating around the space. This is also the kind of unit you need to buy if you are placing it in a closet or car.

4. If you are considering purchasing dehumidifiers then you must take into account the levels of noise that the unit makes when it is running. Unfortunately the models designed to remove moisture and humidity from a room quickly require great large amount of energy to power them and this results in them producing lots more noise. To tell whether the noise of the unit is going to be too high then get the dealer to turn them on.

5. Prior to you purchasing a dehumidifier think about how much the unit will cost to power once you have it installed and up and running in a room. In most cases these units will need considerable amounts of energy to power them so that the moisture to be removed effectively keeping the levels of humidity down. What you should in fact doing is go for models that run at high speeds as this will help to ensure that the moisture is taken out of the room quickly and so reducing the costs of powering them.

6. Finally when it comes to thinking of purchasing any dehumidifiers you need to think about what extra features they come with. If you can choose those that come with a feature that allows you too quickly and easily defrost the unit as well as one that has a control that allows you to regulate the temperature within a room. The benefit to purchasing such units as these is that they remove moisture from a room not only effectively but quickly, but also it helps to ensure the costs to run them are kept low.

The NewAir ADS-500 Mini Dehumidifier is an appliance that can help you control excess humidity. There are certain features you should look for in a dehumidifier. One is that it automatically shuts off when the water storage tray is full. The NewAir ADS-500 Mini Dehumidifier has this feature so that when the spill-proof tank is full it will shut off by itself. Another thing to look for on a dehumidifier is a visual indicator that the water tray is full. The ADS-500 has a red indicator light to alert you when the tray is full.

An on/off switch is important so that you don’t need access to the main socket (which can be inconvenient). The NewAir ADS-500 Has a large on/off switch for easy control. There are indicator lights to tell you whether the unit is on or off as well.

An air filter can be useful to allergy sufferers. The ADS-500 has a built-in ionizer to get rid of particulates in the air. The anionic function discharges negative ions to freshen while eliminating mildews and odors. It also has an activated carbon filter to adsorb odors and pollutants. There are also thermo-electric peltiers instead of a compressor. This means that this unit is whisper quiet and can be used in bedrooms, nurseries, small offices and other small areas. In fact, on the low setting, the noise level of the NewAir ADS-500 is only 41 decibels.

Mold has been linked to a myriad of health problems. According to a 1999 Mayo Clinic study, nearly all chronic sinus infections are a result of exposure to mold. Mold is a type of fungi that grows on the surfaces of objects and in deteriorated materials. It will flourish in moist, humid environments that have a constant supply of moisture. Mold reproduces by spores that grow when they land on damp indoor surfaces.

Mold is a biological airborne contaminant that is classified as a bioaerosol. Bioaerosols are extremely tiny living organisms suspended in the air. Exposure to mold can lead to minor problems like mild allergies to severe problems like bacteria and viruses that cause infection. Mold spores can cause allergic reaction symptoms such as sinus congestion, difficulty breathing, headaches, watery/burning eyes and nose and throat irritation.

Many mold species produce mycotoxins (fungus poisons) which may cause toxicosis. Toxicosis from mold symptoms include headache, fatigue, memory loss, nosebleeds and immune system suppression. Another serious health problem introduced by mold is hypersensitivity pneummontis. This disease causes the air sacs in the lungs to become inflamed when certain mold spores are inhaled by individuals who are sensitive or allergic to the spores.

How your health is affected by mold is dependant on the amount of exposure and your individual susceptibility. People most at risk are those with allergies, asthmatics, infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

Controlling the moisture in your home is the key to successful mold remediation. If you have a crawlspace, this is a likely culprit for mold growth. Using a vapor barrier and a high quality crawlspace dehumidifier will dry the air, making your crawl space an unfriendly environment for mold and other bioaerosols that can make you sick.

Mold spores are everywhere, there is nothing that you can do about that. They are in the air. If they happen to land on something wet or moist, then they can turn into a mold problem. Without a Soleus dehumidifier you could have that problem. Mold is not a good thing for both your health and your home.

If you are allergic to mold, the mold can land in your nasal lining and cause hayfever symptoms. This is sneezing, watery itchy eyes, runny nose and scratchy throat. If a person breathes in the mold it can cause worse symptoms such as asthma or a bacterial infection. Using the Soleus Dehumidifier can help to eliminate this problem.

You may not even realize that you have a mold problem at first. If the problem is in a part of the house where you do not usually go such as a crawl space or behind a wall it can take a while to notice it. You will notice through the smell of mold and mildew. If it gets to that level you need to call in a professional to come in and get rid of the problem. This can be very costly. Having a Soleus dehumidifier in your home can stop put a stop to this problem before it starts.

Without the Soleus Dehumidifier, you may have to call someone to get rid of the money. They not only have to clean the mold out but most of the time they need to clean out all of air ducts in the house to keep the mold from spreading . This is not even guaranteed to work the first time. It may take a second time to get all of the mold removed. This can be very costly by the time you have removed all of the mold. It is much smarter to purchase a Soleus dehumidifier.

Once you have convinced yourself you need a basement dehumidifier you wil then have to decide whether you want an installed or portable unit. The installed unit is going to be much more powerful and more pricier, it will also have to be installed by a qualified technician. A portable one will get you up and running staraight away, but will be less effective and probably take up more room.

Purchasing basement dehumidifiers is not something that is all that complicated. The most important thing you need to know going in, though, is the size, in cubic square feet, of your basement. That will ensure that the basement dehumidifiers you consider are going to be able to do the job you need them to do.

The most important part is the maintenance. Just because they are sat there busily working away all day and not requiring much assistance it doesnt mean that they dont need some care. You will need to regularly empty the water it collects from the air. Depending on the size of your device will depend on how regularly you have to empty it. There are basement dehumidifiers which link in with your drainage system so that the process is fairly automated but again you will need to as about this.

You have probably realised by now that basement dehumidifiers are very straigh forward and as long as you bear in mind all the factors mentioned about you wont go far wrong. Do yourself a big favour and get some advice before deciding to buy one. Check the moisture in your basement and get some proffessional advice regarding the construction.

Instead of drying the crawl space, outside ventilation actually increases the moisture load. Once present, moisture migrates to the colder floor framing surfaces where the wood moisture content elevates to a point ideal for fungal growth and wood damage. Temperature stability makes crawlspaces an excellent location for air conditioning equipment, ductwork and plumbing, however; high crawl space humidity during summer months may lead to condensation on ductwork and equipment damage. Additionally, high humidity provides an ideal environment for insect growth.

Long term abatement of these problems must focus on eliminating the source, not treating the symptoms (i.e. spraying insecticides and re-insulating ductwork). Research and experience has shown that unvented and conditioned crawl spaces provide better moisture control than vented crawl spaces and behave similarly to houses constructed with basements. Outlined below are techniques for unvented and conditioned crawlspace construction.

Unvented Crawl Space

Unvented crawl space retrofits are usually made in response to high moisture conditions in existing homes. This technique is not in full compliance with local and national building codes and should not be specified for new construction. However, extensive field experience indicates that it does provide exceptional environmental control for a safe and healthy crawl space environment. Before any efforts are made to control ground or air born moisture, all bulk moisture entering the crawlspace (i.e. rain water, underground springs) must be eliminated. Then, the following steps must be followed in
their entirety or desired results may prove elusive.

1. Install gutters and slope grade away from the foundation at least 5 %( 6 inches per 10 feet) to direct rain and surface water away from the house. Empty downspouts 8 to 10 feet from the foundation

2. Cover the crawl space with a 20 mil polyethylene vapor barrier called CleanSpace. Overlap all seams and seal with CleanSpace vapour bond tape tape. Extend the outside edge of the CleanSpace up the foundation wall to a few inches below the top plate. Seal the CleanSpace to the foundation wall by using construction adhesive. The goal of this step is to provide 100% ground coverage and eliminate as much outside air as possible being pulled through the block walls.

3. Close and seal all foundation vents with CleanSpace vent covers or spray foam cavity to eliminate warm, moist outdoor air from entering the crawl space. Cut blocks of

Many offices and businesses offer pre-installed desiccant dehumidifiers to help reduce the amount of humidity in the air by up to 50%. This is done using a refrigerant with cool coils to collect the moisture. People will shop much longer in such an environment and workers will be more productive.

Now there are desiccant dehumidifiers for small offices and homes so people can reap the same benefits. These are portable models that you can buy at retail stores or online. Make sure you look for one designed for the size of home or office you want to remove moisture from. In some instances you may need to purchase more than one of the desiccant dehumidifiers to successfully cover the square footage.

Many people enjoy the results from desiccant dehumifiers because they also perform as an air condition on hot days due to the refrigerant. The higher the humidity level in the area though the better a desiccant dehumidifier works. In most locations there is more humidity on summer days and rainy periods than in the colder months.

With desiccant dehumidifiers you have the opportunity to balance the amount of humidity in the home during both high and low level times. You no longer have to simply deal with the humidity as it fluxates during various times of the year. Most desiccant dehumidifiers automatically detect the amount of moisture in the air and they work with it. This means you don’t have to continually change programming.

Some of the desiccant dehumidifiers feature gas instead of electricity. This is a good option for anyone who wants to save money because electricity is expensive. You can also take them along when you go hiking. Even in a tent you will sleep better if you don’t have to content with the issue of humidity. Many of these gas desiccant dehumidifiers use the same fuel as for cooking.

There a good deal of varieties of mould but all of them tend to flourish in surroundings that contain moisture, this can come from humid air and anyplace that moisture can stay on such as carpets, cardboard boxes, stored fabrics, drywall, papers and so on. It may be that the area you live in is particularly prone to humid air for example certain climates or locations are clearly going to affect the humidity level of your home.

Mould can cause allergic reactions in some people and also trigger lung irritability in people who aren’t normally allergic to these things. It can damage whatever it is attached to and creates an unpleasant smell which can be persistent and difficult to get rid of. It could be a symptom of a drainage problem inside your house or even an air moisture problem.

To combat mould first arm yourself with a mask and eye shield so that you can remove as much as you can physically without getting to heavy a dose of the spores whilst doing so. After removing as much as possible wash to area several times with first soap and water and then either a commercial mildew remover/cleaner and/or one gallon of water mixed with 1/4 of a cup of chlorine bleach.

Obviously depending upon the level of damage any damaged materials will have to be replaced and unless you solve the original moisture problem it will most likely need replacing again from further damage.

It may well be worth purchasing a humidity meter ($15) which if it shows a reading of more than 50 then you should really look into buying a dehumidifier. There are a wide range of home dehumidifiers available suitable for home use and they usually range from the $100 and upwards mark. Here are a few pointers to remember when selecting a dehumidifier: If you require a dehumidifier in more than one room then consider buying a whole house dehumidifier rather than a single room dehumidifier. It will do the job more efficiently and last longer than running several smaller dehumidifiers
continuously which will incur more maintenance costs.

Also don’t forget that if you will be running your dehumidifier in particularly cold places that it has an auto-switch off when it starts to freeze. If it doesn’t have one then it will become damaged if you run it and it starts to freeze. Also check that the noise level is not too high in the shop before you make a purchase particularly if it is to be used near your bedroom.

Further more it may well be worth getting a trusted builder/contractor to take a look at the area to check for possible causes and remedies of the moisture problem. Also having a word with your family doctor about any allergic symptoms and further dangers it may pose should also be done in order to consider how seriously you need to take into account the mold problem.

Despite the cost of doing the above in the long run the value of your house and the health of your family should be your priority and taking a few simple steps such as buying a home dehumidifier would be well worthwhile in the long run.

There are many health benefits to both types of units. A dehumidifier removes excess humidity and prevents moisture from accumulating in your home. A humidifier adds moisture to dry winter air to restore moisture to your skin, lips, throat, and nose. Anyone who suffers from sinusitis in the winter knows how dry air can be irritating and painful to the nasal membranes. I find the same problem when I leave S. Florida and go to places like Las Vegas, Nevada in the summer time due to the dry climate there.The first few days, all I do is drink a lot of water but then my nose and lips start to crack
from the dryness.

Great health benefits are available from both types of units. They must be cared for and cleaned properly. If not, you might experience some serious, unwanted side effects from using them. If you don’t clean your dehumidifier or humidifier on a monthly basis, you risk contaminating the air with mold, algae and bacteria.The difference between these units and an A/C Unit is that the A/C Unit drains the water outside away from the unit. The Dehumidifier and Humidifier both have standing water in them at all times.

There are many types of these units out there, some have built-in UV Lights to help keep microorganisms under control. Most require the good old fashion cleaning method of washing out the tank with soap and water. The best method is to follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions for cleaning your dehumidifier or humidifier. Follow the instruction manual carefully or you can void your guarantee if you do it the wrong way or use the wrong cleaning solution. If you do not have the manual, call the manufacturer and see if the manual is available online to download. Most do have it available now. There
are some companies that offer cleaning services for these types of units. You will find them in the Yellow Pages.

In conclusion, keep both types of units clean at all times and you will experience improved health benefits in the dry winter time and humid summer time. Be sure to keep both units out of the reach of children. Lastly, watch out for possible leaks from both types of units. I have seen many dehumidifiers leak and cause more mold problems than they had before; because they were not be taken care of properly. Inspect both units on a daily basis, never leave them running when you leave the house. Run them only when you are there to prevent any type of unwanted leak. Lastly, keep these units away
furniture, drapes, or walls.

Instead of asking “What is the best sized unit?”, the better question to ask is “How much moisture that needs to be removed from the room?”

If the answer is “not many”, then a smaller unit will be sufficient. However, if there is a continuous source of dampness in the room and need continuous help or if the room is rather large, buy the most powerful dehumidifier you can afford.

When choosing the right dehumidifier it is important to know the size of the room, how much moisture to be removed, the air temperature and the humidity level. On each unit’s box, manufacturers will usually give you the idea of the room size it was made for or how many litres of water it can absorb.

As useful as these guidelines are, the level of humidity vary greatly in real situation and not as simple.

Even though it is not important to consider the dehumidifier’s size (you can always purchase a large one with variable speed control with a built in humidistat that will cope in any situation), it will affect you if you’re running on a budget. The larger and fancier it is, the more it will cost you.

The same goes if you buy a too small unit for a large room as it will run continuously without fixing the problem.