Alternative to Dehumidifiers for Condensation Problems

Alternative to Dehumidifiers for Condensation Problems

It is a common thought that dehumidifiers are a cure for condensation in a property. Yes they do take the moisture out of the air, but there are a number of drawbacks. 

• Dehumidifiers are only effective where they are placed and do not offer a whole house solution.
• Dehumidifiers can be very noisy and they are usually turned off at night - when humidity levels rise.
• They are expensive to run and uneconomical.
• By removing all the moisture out of the air, the room can be left too dry causing further health problems.

How do dehumidifiers work? 

Dehumidifiers draw excess moisture from the air, helping to combat condensation, prevent mould growth and reduce damp on walls. There are two main types of dehumidifier to choose from – refrigerant (also known as compressor) and desiccant. They work in different ways and claim to be better suited to different environments.

Refrigerant (or compressor) dehumidifiers

• These draw in air through a filter and over cold coils. 
• Water then condenses on the coils and drips into the water tank. 
• It’s often claimed that they work better at higher temperatures and humidities, and so are the better choice for most occupied homes in the country.

Desiccant dehumidifiers 

• These use an adsorbent material to extract water from the air.
• The material is then heated so that the moisture drips into the water tank. 
• Desiccant dehumidifiers are designed to work more effectively in lower temperatures – the sort of environment you might expect in your typical garage or a conservatory or an unheated basement (if you've got a basement flat, and it's usually warmer than 10 degrees, you'd probably go for a refrigerant). 
• It’s often claimed that desiccant dehumidifiers tend to use more energy than refrigerant dehumidifiers because of the way they use heat to warm the adsorbent material.

You can use a dehumidifier when you notice signs of damp, such as condensation on your windows. However the effect is limited, if your property suffers with severe condensation you need a ventilation solution.  

An alternative to uneconomical dehumidifiers

Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) is a complete whole house ventilation solution which combats condensation and mould problems within your home. Not only does Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) provide an effective solution to condensation and mould problems but they are also energy efficient too - costing less that £6 a year to run.

How does Positive Input Ventilation work? 

PIV units work by delivering fresh, filtered and clean air into the home, gently ventilating it using a technique called Positive Input Ventilation (PIV). This method dilutes high levels of humidity and harmful household contaminates which include Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs),  created by the use of aerosols and formaldehydes which are found in furniture and carpets, chemicals from cleaning products and allergens from house dust mites. Furthermore, PIV units can be beneficial to people who suffer from asthma and allergies. High levels of relative humidity create a perfect breeding ground for the household dust mite, a known trigger for asthma and allergies.

So why not consider a PIV unit to control problems with condensation and black mould? 

Enjoy the autumn and winter months in a healthier home.