WHY DEHUMIDIFY THE AIR?
The main goal of air dehumidification is to reduce the humidity level in a room to make it more comfortable to live in.
When the humidity level in a room exceeds 60%, the air is humid, which promotes the growth of mold, fungi, and dust mites. Beyond 70% humidity, the air is considered too humid, which can cause long-term damage, both to health and the home.
To counteract excess humidity, there are specific devices: air dehumidifiers.
Some homes, like cave houses, houses near rivers or by the sea, are naturally humid. Therefore, they require the installation of such equipment.
Maximum
60%
humidity in the air
indoors at home
WHAT CAUSES AIR TO BE TOO HUMID?
An excessively high humidity level in a home can result from several factors:
- Poor insulation
- Lack of natural ventilation and aeration
- Water damage: overflows, infiltrations, poor drainage, thermal bridges...
- Our daily activities: breathing, showering, cooking, drying laundry...
- One or more open aquariums (without a lid)
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH AND HOUSING CONSEQUENCES?
In a home, when the air is too humid, certain signs are unmistakable:
- Moldy and musty odors
- Mold or mildew stains on the walls
- Swelling woodwork and parquet
- Peeling paint
- Peeling wallpaper
- Condensation on windows, on the inside
It should also be noted that excess humidity in the air can be harmful to health and cause:
- Chronic coughs, respiratory issues, asthma attacks, or even respiratory infections
- Muscle disorders: osteoarthritis, rheumatism...
- Eye disorders: conjunctivitis, eye irritation...
- Chronic fatigue and insomnia
- Headaches, migraines, nausea...
HOW TO CHOOSE AN AIR DEHUMIDIFIER?
To choose the right dehumidifier for your needs, you must consider several factors:
DEHUMIDIFICATION POWER
The dehumidification or extraction capacity - therefore the power - represents the number of liters of water that the dehumidifier can extract from the air over a given period. It is often indicated in liters per day (L/D). Combined with the room's surface area, this information will affect the time required to dehumidify.
NUMBER OF SPEEDS
The device may have several speeds, allowing the air flow to be adjusted according to need. The more speeds there are, the more powerful the fan integrated into the device, and the faster the air circulation. Note: at high speed, dehumidifiers can be noisy.
WIFI CONNECTION
Today, more and more household appliances offer this option. In the case of an air dehumidifier, this is very practical, especially if it is installed in a vacation home or an unheated secondary residence. Through a dedicated app, you can interact remotely: turn the device on or off, change the dehumidification speed...
ROOM SIZE
Manufacturers indicate a recommended room size for their air dehumidifiers. This information is purely indicative, as you also need to consider the initial humidity level, the cause of the excess humidity, as well as the floor and wall coverings.
THE HYGROSTAT
This is an option that allows you to set the humidity level to a target value. In this way, the dehumidifier operates autonomously: it turns on when the humidity level exceeds the desired level and goes into standby as soon as the humidity level drops below the desired threshold.
WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM
There are 3 systems to drain the water extracted from the air by the dehumidifier: the integrated tank, the continuous drainage hose, and the lift pump. Choose the drainage system based on the location of the dehumidifier and its accessibility.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT DEHUMIDIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES?
COMPRESSOR DEHUMIDIFIER
This is the most common technology. These dehumidifiers operate similarly to a refrigerator. Air is drawn in by a fan, then passes through an internal grid in the device, which is pre-cooled by the compressor. The temperature difference between the drawn air and the compressor creates a thermal shock: water condenses, and the droplets trickle into the tank.
- Powerful
- Ideal for large rooms
- Effective from 15°C
- Noisy: above 50 dB
DESICCANT DEHUMIDIFIER
This is the second technology available on the market. These devices are equipped with a material that can absorb moisture from the air, like silica gel. The water-laden air passes through a rotating wheel containing this material. The absorbed water is then transferred to a central condenser, which releases the air once dehumidified.
- Effective even at low temperatures
- Quiet
- Less powerful than a compressor dehumidifier
- High energy consumption
PETRARCH EFFECT DEHUMIDIFIER
This lesser-known technology is based on the principle of the Peltier effect, which consists of creating a thermal difference between two electrical conductors through the passage of an electric current. The water in the air is condensed in this way, but the power of such devices remains relatively low.
- Compact
- Energy efficient
- Very low power
- Effective only in very small rooms (closets, cabinets...)
MOISTURE ABSORBER
In this type of device, humid air is captured using a bag of calcium chloride crystals placed on a plastic sieve. In this way, water in gas form is extracted from the air and liquefied. It then flows into a collection tray. This process is not very eco-friendly and costly because it requires regular replacement of refills: it’s better to use a Peltier-effect dehumidifier.
- Quiet
- Does not require electricity
- Not very efficient
- Costly
- Polluting
HOW TO DRAIN WATER AND CONDENSATE FROM MY DEHUMIDIFIER?
There are 3 solutions for draining the water collected by your dehumidifier. Generally, the price of the device varies accordingly.
Tank
All dehumidifiers have a tank – or container – intended to collect water. The tank's capacity varies depending on the size of the device.
Continuous Drainage
This is a gravity-based drainage – from top to bottom – which involves connecting a hose to the back of the device and directing it to a wastewater outlet. This solution is ideal if you cannot empty the tank when it's full. Be careful not to twist or pinch the hose.
Lifting Pump
There are two types of lifting pumps: external pumps and integrated pumps. This system is ideal when the wastewater outlet is higher than the device. Simply connect the hose to the back of the device or place the small pump in the tank: it can lift water up to 3 meters!
HOW TO MAINTAIN MY DEHUMIDIFIER?
The dehumidifier's tank must be emptied regularly to prevent the growth of algae and bacteria. Avoid letting water stagnate inside. Remember to unplug the device before performing this operation. To clean the tank, pour white vinegar and hot water into it, then leave it for a few minutes. Rinse with clean water. You can also use dish soap and a soft sponge.
The air filter, or pre-filter, should be cleaned at least 1 to 2 times a year. It helps maintain the dehumidifier’s efficiency by preventing internal components from getting dirty too quickly. To clean it, use a vacuum or a soft cloth to remove large dust particles.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT USES OF A DEHUMIDIFIER?
While the primary function of a dehumidifier is to reduce the humidity level in a room, it can also serve specific purposes:
After Water Damage
Depending on the size and damage caused by the water, feel free to use an “oversized” dehumidifier to thoroughly dry the materials and extract water. Maintain a room temperature above 20°C and ensure good air circulation to optimize the dehumidifier's efficiency.
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For Drying Clothes
Feel free to use your dehumidifier in your laundry room to dry your clothes. In addition to preventing damage to your clothes, these devices consume significantly less energy than a traditional dryer and are more compact. Perfect for small apartments!
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In a Wine Cellar
Just like temperature, humidity is a crucial factor for the proper aging of wine and the preservation of corks and labels. Ideally, to store your fine wines under optimal conditions, your cellar's humidity level should be between 70% and 80%.
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In an Indoor Pool
If you have an indoor pool or spa in your home, you are likely aware that humidity levels in that room can be very high. Consider installing a dehumidifier to prevent material deterioration.
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