DEHUMIDIFIERS BUYING GUIDE

They reduce humidity in an enclosed space by extracting excess moisture from the air.

Filters are easy to change but must be cleaned regularly to maintain optimum efficiency; please read your machine’s manual for specific details.

If you often see condensation on windows and mould on walls, you probably need to use a dehumidifier. This moisture can damage wooden structures, as well as wallpaper and fabrics. Moisture typically condenses on the coldest surfaces, i.e. windows or walls in north or east-facing rooms, any rooms with external walls or unheated rooms.

Relative humidity (RH) is the measure of water currently in the air versus how much water the air can hold. It is generally written as a percentage, and 100% RH (also known as ‘dew point’) will condense on any surface.

Position your device in the dampest room, then when it’s reached the desired humidity move it to the next space. When you’ve finished, place it in a central location with all room doors slightly open to capture the remaining moisture. We recommended leaving a six-inch gap between your dehumidifier and any walls or furniture.

No. The desiccant material neither expires nor requires topping up.

50% RH is comfortable for most houses. This will protect properties and belongings from unwanted mould and moisture while controlling dust mites. Reducing humidity below 50% is unnecessary.

If drying washing in a warm room, use a powerful 20-litre compressor unit. If drying laundry in a kitchen, living room or spare bedroom, choose a desiccant machine; these units remove moisture and blow warm, dry air over washing – some even incorporate a laundry function.

A 7-litre desiccant machine is ideal because it works equally well in warm and cold conditions while running unattended for long periods. Most come with a tank as well as a hose for continuous drainage, plus auto-restart in the event of a power cut.

Garages tend to be unheated, making desiccant units ideal. They extract moisture whatever the temperature and can reduce humidity to 40% – below the rusting point of most metals.

Yes they can, some of our dehumidifier are fitted with HEPA filters which can extract mould, dust and bacteria out of the air to help with allergies and irritations.

This all depends on the product. On our site we offer a range of low energy dehumidifiers ensuring it doesn’t cost you a fortune to run. Also do not forget they can reduce your heating bills!

Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, walls and floors, preventing moisture and bacteria from settling and breeding. Mould cannot grow below 60% RH, so set your dehumidifier to maintain 55% or less.

Mould will not grow 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.

This depends on your room size and moisture level – we explain these for each machine on our website.

Providing your dehumidifier is large enough for an area, and there is no damp problem, normal humidity should be achieved within one week. Please note, this may change if a room has been flooded, you may also require additional equipment from water damage specialists.

This depends on the type and size of each dehumidifier. For example, the average 10-litre decompressor extracts 3 to 5 litres in 24 hours; while an 8-litre desiccant extracts 7 to 8 litres in the same conditions.

You may use this water in an iron or to water plants. However, it should not be consumed as it may contain substances that could make you or your pets ill.

All portable dehumidifiers have a water collection container, often called a tank or a bucket, to collect the water extracted from the air. These buckets are quite small, to keep the overall size of the dehumidifier down, and need to be emptied at least once a day. Because it may not be convenient, or possible, to empty the bucket daily almost all portable dehumidifiers for home use are designed to allow the water to be drained directly as it is collected. This is known as continuous drainage. In the casing of the dehumidifier a small hole has been cut to allow a small hose (most of our units come with this hose in the box) to be attached to the dehumidifier through which the water can be drained. The water is drained by gravity alone so for effective continuous drainage the dehumidifier needs to be raised a foot or two above the floor and the hose run to a floor level drain.

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 drying 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.

For example a 10 litres manufacturer rated compressor dehumidifier will extract around 3-5 litres in normal domestic conditions in 24 hours depending of the relative humidity and temperature. A typical 8 litres desiccant will extract 7-8 litres in the same conditions being less sensitive to temperature variations. Once the dehumidifier is regularly used and the humidity has been reduced the amount of water removed daily will stay at a constant level.

We know choosing a dehumidifier isn't an easy decision. Not sure what's best for you? We can take the guesswork out of decision-making. Call us at 0871 984 4416. We want to help make your indoors healthy and comfortable.