Air dehumidifiers: why and when to install one?
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According to the Indoor Air Quality Observatory, the enclosed spaces where we spend most of our time are between 5 and 10 times more polluted than the air outside.
Furniture, paint, floor coverings, appliances, and even cleaning products release many chemical molecules into the air in our homes. Pets, dust mites and mold produce allergens, not to mention bacteria and viruses that spread infections.
At home, dehumidifiers are necessary above 60% humidity, because the growth of bacteria, mites or mold makes the environment unhealthy. Since we spend 85% of our time indoors, how can we improve our indoor air quality? Tips from Bruno Tudal, medical advisor on indoor environment.
Why dehumidify the air in a room in a house or apartment?
The interior of our home contains hundreds of pollutants. The ideal level of air humidity is between 40% and 60%. Above 60%, humidity favors the development of dust mites, bacteria and the formation of molds that cause irritation, allergies and even respiratory problems.
In the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, condensation is the main cause of moisture problems. Everyday activities like cooking, showering, or even breathing create steam, which raises the humidity in the air.
Fortunately, moisture problems are easy to spot (hard-to-remove condensation after showering, black marks on joints or peeling wallpaper, etc.) and improve.
Appliance brands thus offer air dehumidifiers, which are supposed to filter and recover the water contained in the air. But what are these devices worth? How do you know if you need a dehumidifier? Our tips for choosing the right dehumidifier.
If you find that condensation builds up on your walls, or if you live in a humid climate, installing a dehumidifier in your home may help.
Typically installed in humid rooms such as the bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom, dehumidifiers use a heat pump (such as air conditioners) or chemical absorbers to reduce the water content of the air.
Before buying a dehumidifier, it is important to determine what type of air dehumidifier you need (warm or cold climate, consumption of the device, automatic shutdown function, etc.).
However, be careful: for some humidity problems, the installation of a dehumidifier is not enough and the intervention of a professional is necessary. This is the case, for example, if you have leaks coming from the ceiling or the floor.
The so-called electric dehumidifiers suck, filter and cool the humidity in the air through a condenser. The water is stored in the tank or discharged through a permanent drainage system. The extraction power and capacity depends on the humidity problem and the size of the room or dwelling: 20 to 25 liters per day for an average house, 10 to 15 liters for a bathroom.
What advantages and disadvantages?
The advantages: Condensing air dehumidifiers are more powerful and efficient than adsorption dehumidifiers.
Cons: These electric dehumidifiers can be noisy at full speed (25dB to 50dB, which is equivalent to the noise of a modern washing machine). Furthermore, these appliances are less efficient from 15°C, which makes them less interesting for cold rooms such as cellars and garages.
The so-called absorption or chemical dehumidifiers consist of a fan that draws air, which passes through an impeller equipped with silica gel that absorbs moisture. It is transformed into water and collected in a tank. They clear the air after about 24 hours.
What advantages and disadvantages?
The advantages: absorption air dehumidifiers are quieter (about 30 dB) and work when it's cold, with or without electricity.
Cons: These dehumidifiers are generally less powerful than condensing models. And these devices can increase your electricity bill: they have a high energy consumption (450 to 550 watts). Therefore, they are more suitable for small areas, such as a bathroom or closet.
3 effective tips to fight humidity:
Check the air extractors: that they work and that they are not obstructed. This is usually the main cause of dampness;
Ventilate: open the windows of each room twice a day for 15 minutes, more if the clothes are dried indoors;
Limit potted plants: Because they give off moisture, Bruno Tudal advises limiting yourself to four or five small plants per house or apartment. Two or three if they are big.
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