A Guide to How Dehumidifiers WorkYou may not be able to accurately explain it, but chances are you've certainly felt excessive humidity at some point in your life. When humidity levels are high, the air feels heavy, and it almost feels like you can swim through it if you wanted to. In areas of high temperatures with high humidity levels, it can feel like you're wearing a sweater even if you're not even wearing a shirt. This heavy and soggy feeling is due to the high level of moisture currently in the air - or the high level of humidity. What is Humidity?
The air can hold a fixed amount of water vapor depending on its temperature. The ratio of actual water vapor in the air compared to the amount it can hold is called relative humidity. Relative humidity is often what you mean when talking about the level of humidity in the air. Most people don't really care about the reason for heightened humidity levels, but are more concerned with its effects. Excessive humidity does more than just make you feel uncomfortable and make your hair frizzy. High levels of humidity can make you feel sick to your stomach, especially when combined with high temperatures. High humidity disrupts your body's ability to cool itself, which can lead to various health problems, including heat stroke. It can also trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. If you suffer from allergies, asthma, or any heart conditions, be especially careful in humid conditions. Humid rooms feel stuffy and will feel overcrowded regardless of how many people are actually in them. Places where humidity is high can even start to smell musty. Additionally, heightened levels of humidity can have a detrimental effect on your home. High humidity levels can affect the structural integrity of your home, and can lead to an increase in mold and dust mites. Excessive humidity can also attract unwanted pests, including various bugs and centipedes. Dehumidifiers are the perfect solution if you're suffering from unwanted or excessive humidity in your home or office. What is a Dehumidifier?Dehumidifiers are simple appliances that essentially remove excessive moisture and humidity in the air. Each dehumidifier is comprised of the same basic components:
While some more modern dehumidifiers have different variations of these components, they still work to the same end - removing excessive moisture from the air. Some additional components that your dehumidifier may have include:
How do Dehumidifiers Work?
While some units have different features and effects, all dehumidifiers work in the same basic manner. In short, dehumidifiers pull moisture from the air in your room, lowering humidity levels and making your home safer and more pleasant. The process works as follows:
Many dehumidifiers come equipped with a humidistat, which can detect the level of humidity in the room. This allows you to program the dehumidifier to run until the air hits a certain moisture level, and then automatically shut off. The only other thing to worry about is removing water from the reservoir. Typically, dehumidifiers will come with a plastic bucket - or something of a similar nature - that will collect moisture as it is pulled from the air by the dehumidifier. Some units will also come equipped with a hose hookup. These units allow you to run a hose from the dehumidifier directly to a water drain, ensuring that you never have to worry about emptying the collected moisture. Most dehumidifiers also have an auto shut-off system that will detect the water level in the reservoir and shut the process down before it overflows. For more information about dehumidifiers, be sure to check out the following guides: |
