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Finding an Alternative to Dehumidifiers to deal with Condensation

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Finding an Alternative to Dehumidifiers to deal with Condensation

By Ruth MacEachern

Product Manager

Jan 05, 2022

Many people thing that dehumidifiers are suitable for treating condensation in a home.  Yes, they might remove moisture from the air, but they have a lot of disadvantages, and are not a long-term solution.  A dehumidifier may help in the short term, but there are multiple reasons why you should not rely on them to solve your condensation problems.

  • Dehumidifiers are only effective where they are situated, and they do not provide a solution for the entire house.
  • Dehumidifiers may be noisy, therefore they're normally switched off at night, when humidity levels are at their highest.
  • They are inefficient and costly to operate.
  • By eliminating all of the moisture from the air, the environment might become overly dry, resulting in further health issues.

How dehumidifiers work

Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, which helps to avoid condensation, mould development, and wet on the walls.  You can pick between two types of dehumidifiers: refrigerant (also known as compressor) and desiccant.  They operate in distinct ways and claim to be better suited to certain settings.

Dehumidifiers with refrigerant (or compressor)

Compressor dehumidifiers work by taking in in air and passing it through a filter before allowing it to flow across cold coils where water vapour will condense.  The liquid water then drops into the water tank where it can be stored until removal.

This type of dehumidifier tends to work better in better in higher temperatures and humidity levels, making them more suited to occupied rooms when in use – for example, a bedroom.

Dehumidifiers with desiccant

These remove water from the air using an adsorbent substance such as silica gel.  When the material is heated, it allows the trapped moisture to escape, and this is then captured in a tank for disposal.

Desiccant dehumidifiers typically operate better in colder temperatures, such as those found in a garage, conservatory, or unheated basement (if your basement flat is warmer than 10 degrees, you'll definitely want to go with a refrigerant).

Because of the way desiccant dehumidifiers require heat to warm the adsorbent material, they normally use much more energy than refrigerant dehumidifiers.

When you discover evidence of dampness, such as condensation on your windows, you can use a dehumidifier.  However, because the effect is limited, you will require a ventilation solution if you want a long-term solution.

A cost-effective alternative to dehumidifiers

Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) is a comprehensive whole-house ventilation system that eliminates moisture and mould in your home.  Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) is not only a cost-effective solution to condensation problems and mould issues, but it is also energy efficient, costing less than £6 a year to operate.

How PIV Systems Work

Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) systems send fresh, filtered, and clean air into the home, gently ventilating it with a process known as Positive Input Ventilation (PIV). PIV systems work by drawing fresh, filtered air into your home through a central unit that is normally fitted in the loft.  This fresh air is then gently released throughout your home where it displaces the stale, humid air to prevent condensation and prevent the build up of allergens and chemicals from cleaning products that can affect people with respiratory problems.

So, if you're having difficulties with moisture and black mould, a PIV system could well be a much better, and in the long term, more cost effective and healthy solution than a dehumidifier.

Find out more

If you are concerned about the levels of condensation in your home, it is important to act before condensation leads to problems with damp and mould that can affect health.  Contact us today to book a free home survey.  Our local ventilation specialists can help you find the cause of condensation in your property and provide advice about the best way to resolve it for good.

Need help with condensation, mould or damp problems?

One of our local experts will contact you to learn more about your problems, offer free expert advice and make recommendations for a permanent solution.

During the free survey we will:

  • checkAssess any condensation, damp or mould problems in your property
  • checkTake readings of the relative humidity levels
  • checkIdentify any underlying problems and make recommendations for a permanent solution

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