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If you live in a humid climate, you’re likely all too familiar with the consequences of excess humidity in your home. It can trigger allergies, aggravate diseases, and disrupt your sleep. Your property isn’t spared, either, as damp environments can damage floors, walls, electrical components, and furniture.
Dehumidifiers are one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to reduce humidity. They extract excess moisture from the air to create a more comfortable living space. In this article, we’ll explore the dangers of high humidity and the signs you need to invest in a dehumidifier. We’ll also outline the different dehumidifier types, key considerations when buying a unit, and the dos and don’ts when using and maintaining one.
The Causes and Dangers of Excess Humidity
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the ideal humidity level indoors should be between 30% and 50% for comfortable and healthy living conditions. Levels that exceed this range could compromise the health of people living in your home and risk damaging your property.
But what causes excess humidity indoors? Contributing factors include:
- Warm weather: Warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air, which is why it’s more humid in summer and in regions with warm climates.
- Prolonged rain: Extended periods of rain mean that the ground stays wet longer, leading to continuous evaporation and a more humid environment.
- Daily home routines: Common household activities, such as showering, cooking, and drying clothes indoors, release water vapor into the home.
- Water leaks: Leaks from pipes, taps, sinks, or roofs will drive up humidity levels.
- Poor ventilation: A home with poor air circulation will trap more moisture, and this is worse in areas like basements and bathrooms.
- Heavy use of humidifiers: A humidifier does the opposite work of a dehumidifier. The former releases water vapor into the air, and its improper use can create an overly damp home.
- Numerous indoor plants: Plants release water into the air through transpiration, making the air more moist. Having a few indoor plants is okay, but housing an indoor jungle can raise humidity levels.
Home Damage and Structural Risks
High humidity can take a serious toll on your home. Spores of mold and mildew are everywhere all year, but homes with high humidity and warm temperatures provide ideal breeding grounds for them. Unchecked mold infestations can result in an unpleasant odor and cause significant damage to wood, paper, and organic materials.
The average mold remediation cost is between $1,373 and $3,325, and you can lose up to 37% of your home value from mold infestations. In 2022, over a quarter (27.6%) of homeowners’ insurance losses were due to water damage, which includes mold damage, according to the Insurance Services Office.
Studies estimated that 47% of homes in the U.S. have dampness issues, including mold problems. In the European Union (EU), 15.5% of residents live in properties with leaky roofs, damp walls, floors, or foundation, or rot in window frames or floors in 2023.
Furthermore, excess humidity can affect the property structure and your personal items. Hardwood floors and drywall can buckle or warp, and paint and wallpaper can bubble or peel, under high humidity.
Excess moisture can also affect electronics by corroding circuit boards and could lead to short circuits. In the long run, excess humidity will lead to rotten wood, corroded metals, and a home with weak structures.
Allergies, Respiratory Diseases, and Other Health Risks
Living in a humid house, especially one with persistent mold growth, can be bad for your health. Humid air makes the body work harder for a number of reasons.
When air is already saturated with moisture, your sweat can’t evaporate as well as it otherwise would, preventing your body from cooling down efficiently. However, you will continue to sweat, which can strain your kidneys (dangerous for people with kidney disease) and make getting a solid night’s rest difficult.
When your body can’t cool off by sweating, your heart will try to pump more blood to cool you down, making humidity worse for those with heart conditions and high blood pressure. And people with breathing disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, may have trouble breathing humid air.
Humid air also causes problems for people with allergies to things like mold and dust mites, which both thrive under humid conditions.
Mold releases microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) into the air. Mold exposure can trigger allergic reactions, such as coughs and sore throats. It can also lead to respiratory problems, including asthma, bronchitis, and allergic rhinitis. A study found that the presence of mold at home increases the chances of children developing asthma by 53%.
Dust mites are microscopic organisms that feed off the dead skin cells found in dust. They thrive in humid conditions, and release feces and urine that settle into carpets, bedding, and other fabrics, but can also be stirred up and become airborne for short periods. Exposure to dust mite allergens can lead to coughing, wheezing, a runny nose, and other allergy-related symptoms.
Even for otherwise healthy people, high humidity combined with hot weather can lead to heat-related symptoms such as dehydration, fatigue, heat rashes, and even heat strokes.
Signs You Need a Dehumidifier
High indoor humidity can sometimes sneak up on you, causing minor property damage and health problems before you even realize the real culprit. If you can spot any of these signs, your house may have too much humidity and need a dehumidifier:
1. You see condensation happening often.
Air that contains a lot of moisture will condense into water vapor when it hits cold surfaces. If you keep seeing water droplets on windows and other surfaces around your house, then the environment may be too damp. While condensation is normal during colder months, it’s less likely to happen during warm months.
2. It takes longer to warm up rooms or dry your clothes.
Damp environments make it harder to heat up rooms and dry clothes. Thus, a high energy bill could be one of the earliest indicators that you have a humidity problem.
3. You start seeing more pests around the house.
If you notice more pests or bugs around the house, such as silverfish, centipedes, or cockroaches, then it could be another sign your home is too humid. These creatures love warm, moist environments.
4. The doors, walls, and floors are creaking more.
Wood will expand when it absorbs moisture from the air, and this will slightly loosen screws, nuts, and bolts. You’ll start to hear more creaks around the house from doors, walls, and floors expanding when there’s too much humidity.
5. Allergy and respiratory issues start to appear.
If you or someone in your household is experiencing persistent congestion or allergy symptoms, then high humidity levels could be a contributing factor. Mold, mildew, and dust mites thrive with excess humidity, and they’re likely triggering or exacerbating your symptoms.
6. You notice minor damage around the house.
Elevated humidity levels can warp your flooring and drywall, and create bubbles in painted walls and wallpapers. Household items such as photos, books, and documents will also absorb excess moisture and warp or curl slightly out of shape.
7. You spot mold growth in your home.
This is an obvious sign of too much humidity, and that you need a dehumidifier. You’re more likely to see mold and mildew infestations in rooms with inadequate ventilation and water sources, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries.
8. There’s a persistent musty smell in your house.
When mold grows, there will be a lingering musty aroma that makes you feel like you’re in an old house. It may be strongest in the basement, as this space tends to have insufficient ventilation with limited sunlight.
While a dehumidifier won’t reverse any damage, it can significantly lower humidity to inhibit mold and mildew growth, helping to maintain your home’s air quality.
How Does a Dehumidifier Work?
A dehumidifier works by drawing warm, moist air in using a fan. The air then goes through a condensation process to remove its water content. The resulting drier air is usually filtered before being released into the room, while the extracted water vapors flow into a tank, which requires regular emptying.
The most popular types of dehumidifiers are compressor/refrigerant and desiccant dehumidifiers. The main difference between them is in the condensation process.
A compressor or refrigerant unit works by running air through a refrigeration circuit, usually a cool coil, to draw out moisture from the air. These units are great for use in large spaces as they are highly efficient, but may not function optimally in cool climates.
Meanwhile, a desiccant dehumidifier uses materials that can absorb moisture. Moist air goes through a rotating desiccant wheel that dries the air out before releasing it back. The desiccants are heated to release the moisture, so they can continue extracting water content. These devices aren’t as loud as refrigerant units and are ideal for use in homes with cooler weather.
A dehumidifier isn’t just for warm months, as some parts of the house with poor ventilation and insulation, such as basements, cellars, and bathrooms, are more prone to dampness during the cold months.
Key Features to Consider When Buying a Dehumidifier
Investing in a dehumidifier will pay off in the long run. Key considerations for buying a dehumidifier include:
1. Form type
Dehumidifiers come in various forms: portable, crawl space, and whole-house. Portable units are more affordable and suitable for rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. Crawl space dehumidifiers are designed for cramped, hard-to-reach places such as a basement or attic. These areas typically have bad air circulation and are susceptible to dampness, so units have more power to handle more humid spaces and come with larger tanks.
Whole-house dehumidifiers are built into centralized systems, and they require a significant investment upfront. This option is ideal for people who live in climates with extreme or high humidity, or those with specific health conditions that require a stable humidity level.
2. Space size and moisture level
It’s not just your room size; you should also consider the moisture level in the room. For example, a main bathroom shared by many people will probably be more damp than your bedroom.
Dehumidifiers have different extraction rates, and “wetter” rooms require a higher rate. The typical measurement is based on area size, humidity level, and extraction capacity in 24 hours. For example, a small unit with a 30-pints extraction level is suitable for a space that’s up to 600 square feet with moderate humidity (up to 70%).
3. Tank capacity
Tank capacity measures the amount of water the reservoir can hold and is different from extraction rates. Both measurements are in liters or pints, making them easy to confuse. When deciding on a dehumidifier, think about how quickly the tank will fill up. Having a bigger tank capacity means you’ll empty the reservoir less often.
4. Water removal
While many units have a tank that has to be emptied manually, some units allow you to connect a drain pump that leads to a sink, floor drain, or even outdoors. Another option is using gravity to drain the tank, so water flows from a higher place to an outlet (such as a sink). You’ll need to elevate your dehumidifier to do this.
5. Noise level
Dehumidifiers can run for hours, so you should also think of the noise level. If you’re a parent or a light sleeper, you know how important it is to opt for quieter units. According to Consumer Reports tests, loud dehumidifiers are around 70 decibels (dB), and quiet ones are around 50 dB.
6. Convenience and Controls
You can find plenty of features in a dehumidifier, offering increased convenience and control. They include:
- Digital controls: Control your unit remotely to adjust humidity levels or to turn the device on or off. Smarter features include voice controls.
- Timer: Set when to turn on the dehumidifier or shut it down, perfect for when you’re sleeping or out of the house. You can set some models to power down automatically when a target humidity level has been reached.
- Energy-saving: Eco modes help you reduce energy bills by setting target humidity levels. For example, you can set the humidity to be 10% below a room’s current level. Certain compressor models allow you to adjust the compressor power and speed based on the humidity.
- Laundry mode: Some models have a “laundry” mode to speed up the drying process of your clothes, furnishings, and other fabrics.
7. Price
Of course, price is always an important factor, and dehumidifier costs can vary from less than $100 to thousands of dollars. When comparing prices, assess your household’s requirements, room sizes, humidity levels, and budget.
Tips for Using and Cleaning Dehumidifiers
While you can place your dehumidifiers anywhere in your house, there are spaces to avoid to ensure your unit works optimally. Dehumidifiers require good airflow and can get hot, so it’s best to place them in open areas. Avoid small enclosed areas or near walls unless the unit releases air from the top.
It’s also a good idea to put dehumidifiers near water sources in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry, while still allowing space for good airflow and heat dissipation. As an extra precaution, avoid placing units near electrical outlets and appliances in case the water tank leaks.
Dust and other particles will also affect the performance of dehumidifiers, as they have to work extra hard to filter them out. You should regularly clean the surrounding areas and remove clutter to minimize dust around your device. Furthermore, the best dehumidifiers won’t work effectively if your windows and doors are constantly open, so keep them closed when you’re running a dehumidifier.
Cleaning your dehumidifier
You should always refer to the user manual for specific step-by-step cleaning and maintenance instructions. The general recommendation is to clean your unit every few weeks when in constant use.
Always unplug the device before cleaning. Filter and water tanks need to be checked and cleaned to avoid the buildup of mold, mildew, dust, and other particles, to help keep the air clean. Compressor or refrigerant dehumidifiers have coils that may need cleaning.
Depending on the brand and model, you’ll also have to replace air filters regularly. Lastly, make sure all parts are completely dry before assembling them for use. Regular cleaning not only extends a dehumidifier’s lifespan but also keeps it operating hygienically, reducing the risk of indoor air contamination.
The Bottom Line
A dehumidifier is an essential appliance during summer or in persistently humid weather, helping to remove moisture from the air. High humidity levels can damage your flooring, walls, furniture, and personal items. It also creates an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow, bringing a host of allergies and respiratory issues, such as asthma.
Warm and damp environments can also exacerbate chronic illnesses, induce heat-related symptoms like fatigue and heat strokes, and make breathing and sleeping more difficult. There are common signs that you need a dehumidifier, including a musty smell, constant condensation on windows or walls, increased indoor pests, and frequent allergic reactions.
A dehumidifier helps create a more comfortable home, inhibits mold growth, reduces allergy symptoms and other illnesses, and protects your home from costly long-term damage.
When buying one, consider the type, extraction rates, tank capacity, room sizes, features, and budget. By regularly cleaning and maintaining your unit, your device can work more efficiently and last longer.
