Are Dehumidifiers effective for Condensation

Condensation is a common issue in many homes, especially during colder months. If it is not dealt with condensation can lead to dampness, mould growth, and even structural damage.

Many people turn to dehumidifiers as a solution to condensation, and while these can help in small areas, they are not an effective way of dealing with the wider issue of condensation forming in your home.

Dehumidifiers have a limited coverage area

Dehumidifiers are designed to remove moisture from the air, but they are limited in the area they can cover.

Typically, a single dehumidifier can only effectively dehumidify a specific room or space. This means that to tackle condensation problems throughout the entire home, multiple dehumidifiers would be required, which is neither practical nor cost-effective.

In addition to this, the limited size of the tank where a dehumidifier collects water from the air means that if it was placed in a larger room or close to the sources of water vapour in your home, it might need to be emptied multiple times each day

Energy use and maintenance

While there are passive dehumidifiers which use silica gel or another desiccant to absorb moisture from the air, these are typically not suited to use in an environment where water vapour is being produced regularly. As such, in most cases, electric dehumidifiers are the normal choice in the home.

Dehumidifiers need to run 24 hours per day, and this means that the energy costs can quickly add up. Especially if you have multiple units running at the same time.

In addition to their high energy use, dehumidifiers also require regular maintenance and cleaning. Water that is captured from the air is collected in a tank, and this must be emptied and cleaned regularly to prevent it from overflowing or developing mould that could make it a health risk.

Why extractor fans and ventilation are more effective

The simplest way to manage humidity in your home is with extractor fans in your kitchen and bathroom. Positioned close to the main sources of water vapour, extractor fans draw the moist air out of the room and create slight negative air pressure which means that the steam does not escape into other parts of the house where it could form condensation.

Modern extractor fans such as the EnviroVent Cyclone 8 feature a humidity sensor that detects the levels of water vapour in the air and automatically adapts the power levels to bring down humidity as quickly as possible which prevents condensation from forming.

Whole-home solution to condensation

While dehumidifiers only operate in a single room, improved ventilation can benefit your whole house.

Extractor fans are highly effective at removing the water vapour at the source and reducing the amount that can escape into other rooms, but it is also possible to install a whole house ventilation system that will improve air circulation in all rooms which can help to prevent mould growth.

Positive Input Ventilation Systems (PIV) such as the EnviroVent ATMOS range work by drawing air into the house from outside and then dispersing it indoors to displace humid or stale air through the natural ventilation of your home.

By improving the flow of air, humidity levels are reduced, and air no longer has the chance to build up in cold spots where condensation is more likely to form.

Get help with condensation today

Don’t rely on ineffective, noisy, or expensive dehumidifiers to prevent condensation in your home. Book a free home survey from your local ventilation specialist who can visit your property to identify the causes of condensation and provide advice about how best to stop it. Enter your postcode below to find an expert in your area.

 

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