In environments getting damper by the day, a dehumidifier unit can be of great use. A dehumidifier removes any excess moisture in your immediate environment, making it more comfortable. It helps keep the environment fresh and air dry and comfortable. Excess humidity can strike anywhere, and by choosing the right dehumidifier for any given place requires information.
Searching for the right fit for your needs requires looking at various factors that determine if you have your eyes on the right one. One of these factors has to be all the different kinds of dehumidifiers available in the market.
But, before you begin, what you should do is, find out the scope of the problem, i.e., the area affected, and the quantity of excess moisture. Based on that, you can skim through various options, and identify your ideal dehumidifier.
Types of dehumidifiers
Based on the Working Mechanism
1. Electronic / Peltier heat pump dehumidifier
Electronic Dehumidifiers with Peltier pumps are often used in warmer areas, especially if the humidity issues aren’t that serious. These devices have a Peltier heat pump, which takes care of the excess humidity present in the air. Other than the heat pump, these devices also have a fan and heat exchange coils that help in the process.
The Peltier heat pump dehumidifier has a simple design and is easy to use and maintain as well. The Peltier heat pump in the device works as a cold- surface for condensation. The fan gets the air inside the room, which then passes by the heat exchange coils. These coils are cold and help in condensing the moisture, which collects inside a container. You can remove the excess water from the device, and the process continues. If you’re living in a colder region, this might not be the right option for you.
Ideal spaces for Placement
There are a lot of great places where you can put your Dehumidifier. These dehumidifiers are usually small and easily portable, and you can use these in your hallways, RV’s, Wardrobes, Baby’s nursery, closets, and so on. Any isolated spot inside your home that attracts the most moisture is ideal for these dehumidifiers. These are usually silent, and you can change their placement with ease.
2. Desiccant Dehumidifiers
Desiccant dehumidifiers are a bit different in the way they remove the moisture from the environment. Any desiccant dehumidifier contains a substance that readily absorbs moisture from the air, and is known as a desiccant. The desiccant can be salt and silica gel, or something else, and is useful in drying the air of moisture.
A desiccant dehumidifier works by absorbing the moisture from the incoming air. Usually, there is a wheel structure that contains a desiccant to extract the humidity from the air. The desiccant passes a stream of warm air that removes the moisture from the inside of the desiccant. That reactivates the desiccant, and the process continues.
The condensed water is either collected in a container or, if you’re using a drain system, it directly leaves the device and exits in a suitable drain.
Ideal spaces for Placement
Desiccant dehumidifiers don’t need to cool the moisture before extracting it, which makes them ideal for sub zero climates. You can place a desiccant in your bedroom, halls, basements, many crawl- spaces, offices, etc. These dehumidifiers come in a variety of sizes as well.
These are generally quieter than compressor type dehumidifiers and can operate in much lower temperatures.
3. Compressor type dehumidifiers
The compressor type units are extensive and work very much like the fridge or air conditioner unit.
These units feature a metal plate that provides a surface for the moisture to condense. The fan draws air from the room, and once it is inside the dehumidifier, the air cools over the metal plates and condenses. The condensate collects into a container, and the dry air then passes over a hot coil and is reheated. Dry air exits the dehumidifier and comes out into the room.
Compressor type dehumidifiers remove considerable amounts per day and can consume a lot of energy. However, they are low maintenance once Installed, and unlike smaller units, these only need seasonal care. For example, you usually need to refill gas for these devices every two years.
Ideal spaces for placement
You can place these dehumidifiers in the most problematic areas in your house. If you have a garage that’s starting to get covered in the mold coating, this is your dehumidifier. You can also place them in the attic, basements, crawl spaces, hallways, and similar areas. These devices can be a little noisy and are of little use in the lower temperatures. However, for a warm climate, these are ideal.
Now, let’s have a look at various Dehumidifiers units in terms of the area covered.
A. Mini Dehumidifiers
Mini dehumidifiers are the smallest dehumidifier units in production. These devices dehumidify smaller areas and are easy to move around. If you have a small closet that’s damp or a corner that has a humidity problem, a mini dehumidifier is an ideal choice for you.
Mini dehumidifiers are of great use in areas that don’t have a pressing humidity problem. Compact spaces that can be overlooked, and fall prey to mold and mildew, are perfect spots for these devices.
Ideal spaces for Placement
If you have a wardrobe that’s slightly problematic due to excess humidity, you can get a mini dehumidifier. For people traveling in Rv’s and other such vehicles, a mini dehumidifier can be of great use. For smaller nurseries and even bedrooms where the humidity is not very high, these smaller units are useful. These devices are usually very quiet and come in a variety of shapes, depending on the manufacturer.
B. Medium- Sized Dehumidifiers
Medium-sized dehumidifiers are ideal in households for entire rooms. These units are slightly bigger than min- dehumidifiers, and also dehumidify more area. These devices vary in shapes, sizes, and in terms of the technology involved. A desiccant dehumidifier is ideal for places that have low temperatures. For warm climates, any other type works well.
A Medium-sized dehumidifier is a useful accessory for any homeowner. Any room that has excess humidity and needs to be dehumidified can benefit from this type.
Ideal spaces for placement
Since they can clear a considerable amount of moisture, they’re ideal for general use around the house. If the problem is with the humidity of the entire home, the appropriate unit for that is the whole-house dehumidifier. But for moderately larger areas, like bedrooms, living rooms, basements, etc., you can use these units safely.
C. Whole- House Dehumidifiers
These units can dehumidify the whole house, removing a considerable amount of moisture. These are the largest units used in households for dehumidification. Depending on the size and moisture content of their home, users can choose from many variants available from several manufacturers. The Whole-house dehumidifiers need a one-time installation and do not require quick maintenance. These units can vary in noise production as well.
Ideal spaces for placement
Houses that are humid for long periods can benefit from the whole- house humidifier units. Even though these cover a lot of ground, if the moisture content in your home is considerable, some spots can get neglected. Users can consider their home and the humidity content and then make the right choices. In cases where there’s a slight gap in coverage by the whole house dehumidifiers, users can fix with a mini- dehumidifier.
4. Industrial Grade Dehumidifiers
These dehumidifiers are not used in households and are ideal for large commercial settings. These units can remove a large amount of moisture from large areas. These units are usually heavy, and one or more units may be needed, based on the total area of the building.
These units usually collect a lot of moisture daily and also consume a lot of energy. For places where the humidity can be a problem for the stored goods, or the machines, and other things, along with the people inside, these machines create a safer and more comfortable environment.
Ideal spaces for placement
Commercial-grade dehumidifiers are well-suited for various industrial buildings that require regular dehumidification. These can be production sites, storage facilities, Restaurants, and other similar places that have to keep the environment free of dampness. These dehumidifiers can remove a lot of moisture and can get noisy.
Conclusion
Excess humidity can be a real problem in some areas, whereas it might be just a slight bother in others. Whatever the case may be, there’s a dehumidifier type that checks all the boxes. Users can choose from a vast selection of dehumidifiers created by various established manufacturers and take their pick.
You can choose the type that fits your requirements the best and buy it from your nearby stores or online.
See Also:
- Types of humidifiers
- Best Humidity setting for dehumidifier