If you live in an area with humid, muggy weather, having a dehumidifier is a good idea. While a modern AC system can improve air quality, it’s a common question to be asked if a dehumidifier can improve indoor air quality?
Your indoor air quality depends on the level of humid air present inside. For this reason, you can take advantage of a dehumidifier. A home dehumidifier decreases the moisture levels in your room which in turn leads to improved air quality.
Ideal humidity levels are somewhere between 35% to 50%. When rising above 50%, it will aid mold and mildew growth and let the dust mites thrive, which is a common aspect related to allergic conditions in many individuals.
How does a home dehumidifier function to improve air quality indoors?Â
A dehumidifier works similarly to modern AC systems, but there is one marked difference between these two.
Review How an AC works
First, an AC drives the air inside and blows it in the set of cooling coils where the moisture in the air condenses and drops off into a drip pan. Later on, the water obtained by condensation carries to a drain that becomes a part of our home’s sewerage system.
The AC system fills your room with cold air. So by pulling the moisture from the air, i.e. dehumidifying, this is how an AC system cools your rooms.
A large amount of heat is being produced during this process which is taken care of outside the house where a fan pulls air outdoors.
The one significant difference that separates home dehumidifiers from air conditioners is that the cooled air is blown across another set of coils that heats the air again before it is expelled.
The heat production should be controlled inside. That is why the cooled air passes through another set of coils which cools the system but warms up the air.
An air filter purifies the air before it reaches each of the coils to prevent dust build-up on the coil. The water obtained from the air is collected in a tank present in a coil that needs emptying.
Where do you Need a Dehumidifier?
If you are prone to catching allergies, then you must consider installing a dehumidifier in specific areas in your house.
- Areas like bathrooms with no windows usually have high humidity with very little ventilation or sometimes zero ventilation.
- If you point out water stains on your ceilings or walls.
- When you are witnessing condensation on some of your windows.
- Search for small black spots on walls or ceilings or areas with high moisture content, such as bathtubs or showers. These black spots are mold spores, which are a major cause of many types of allergies.
- If you encounter must or mildew odors.
It is essential to get a dehumidifier if you live in an apartment. The must and mildews accumulate between the walls of the apartment through ventilation. These allergens are still harmful to you and your family’s health even if you keep your place clean all the time.
Does a dehumidifier improve air quality?
High humidity levels in your house are the cause of many allergic conditions and health problems. The more you can control the moisture levels, the better the indoor air quality will be.
Several air pollutants are responsible for substandard air quality. Humid air helps not only the molds, mildews, and certain viruses or bacteria to thrive but also VOCs, i.e. volatile organic compounds that have adverse effects on our body, tend to increase in the presence of high humidity.
Higher humidity promotes insect growth, musty odor and makes the room feel unpleasant and stuffy. This may lead to insomnia, headache, and fatigue.
A dehumidifier works to reduce moisture content and bring it where it should be, thus improving the indoor air quality and providing protections against allergens.
Other benefits of a home dehumidifier:
Among several benefits a dehumidifier provides, there are a few more that will convince you to buy it as soon as you can.
1. They Save Energy
In the presence of a dehumidifier, AC systems work more efficiently. It pulls the moisture out of the air, proving to be a helping hand to the AC system, whose function is exactly the same. In this way, the workload on the AC system is reduced, which in turn saves energy.
2. Prevent Metal from Rusting
In the presence of humid air, metal rusts rapidly. So the reduction in moisture content saves metal tools or other equipment.
3. Prevents wood swelling
High moisture content can lead to warping of your wood products because wood tends to swell in the presence of humidity.
4. Effect on paint and wallpaper
When humidity levels increase, the paints and wallpapers in your house can come loose and peel off. This is because the paint cannot hold onto damp wood, and the damp conditions lead to the degradation of glue that was supposed to hold the wallpaper.
5. Enhances comfort levels in rooms
At lower humidity levels, the rooms become extra comfortable and cozy, especially in tropical or muggy climates. The room is filled with improved air quality and cool air because of a dehumidifier.
6. Controls dust
People suffering from allergies need to keep their houses clean all the time. A dehumidifier will help reduce dust in your house, so you don’t have to clean as frequently as you usually do.
7. Pest control
Dehumidifiers can help to control pests indoors. Roaming cockroaches and spiders are an unpleasant presence in homes. These organisms have a high growth rate when humidity levels increase.
Indoor Air Quality Solutions
Improve your indoor air quality by adopting suitable schemes to eliminate pollutants from your house.
Always keep the plants outdoors as plants can help molds and mildews to grow. Change your filters often and keep your area clean as much as you can. Let the fresh air enter your rooms.
Besides these, you can also call indoor air quality services. These services provide you with a whole-house air purification system, dehumidifiers, thermostats, and all.
Call Sky Heating
A dehumidifier is worth the investment if you want to prevent allergic reactions and other problems that worsen your health. Keeping the humidity levels in check is essential for the good health of you and your family
Contact Sky Heating at (541) 275-2918 and schedule your indoor air quality service now. Our top-class services provide you with ideal solutions to keep your air quality at its best.
Call (541) 275-2918 and book our services now. From whole-house air purification service to installing a suitable thermostat in your house, we are here to give any kind of help you need.