Keep Your Home Dry With a Dehumidifier This Spring
Dehumidifiers are becoming increasingly popular these days, as homeowners try to save on energy costs by minimizing the moisture content in their homes, thereby reducing the strain on their AC systems. This is one benefit a dehumidifier brings, mainly if the unit is a high-efficiency EnergyStar-certified model. By pulling moisture out of the air, a dehumidifier also helps improve indoor air quality. With all these benefits, it’s no wonder they’re so popular.
But for those who live in humid regions, a dehumidifier may be downright essential - and it doesn’t get much more humid than Louisiana. The extreme humidity can damage the home, lower the indoor air quality, and allow mold, mildew, and bacteria to thrive. The air conditioner may help lower indoor humidity to some extent, but it’s ultimately a losing battle, especially in the spring and summer.
What a Dehumidifier Is, and How It Prevents Mold Growth
Most modern dehumidifiers use virtually the same process used by air conditioners and refrigerators, except instead of using the process to cool the air, they use it to capture airborne moisture. The process involves using a fan to draw in moist air and blow it across evaporator coils filled with refrigerant. As the refrigerant absorbs the air’s heat, the moisture condenses into liquid and sticks to the coils. The air then blows out the other side of the unit, stripped of its moisture content.
Dehumidifiers help prevent mold and mildew growth by depriving them of the moist environment they need to survive. If the home’s air is dry, the home’s surfaces will stay dry, and mold won’t gain a foothold.
What Types of Dehumidifier Are There?
Portable dehumidifiers are perfect for dehumidifying just one room or space, such as a basement. Still, some are large enough to be somewhat effective in a small home - at least in climates that only experience moderate humidity. They feature a condensation receptacle that needs to be periodically emptied and cleaned.
Since they use a home’s existing ductwork to deliver dehumidified air, whole-home dehumidifiers are typically a more permanent solution. These usually feature a condensate drain tube to carry liquid condensation outside, much like an AC.
Choosing the Right Dehumidifier
When it comes to buying a dehumidifier, making the right choice involves a few key factors. The main thing to consider is necessity. If only a basement, crawlspace, or attic needs to be made less humid, a portable unit should work just fine. But if the whole house is too humid and the homeowners are concerned about mold growth and indoor air quality, a whole-home system is the way to go.
Another thing to consider is the cost. Portable units are fairly inexpensive, depending on the brand and size. Whole-home units do cost more, but they tend to last longer and are more comprehensive. They also need to be correctly sized and installed by a professional to ensure proper function and efficiency.
About LenAire, Inc.
The HVAC experts at LenAire, Inc. have over 30 years of experience serving the Bossier City, LA community. Their friendly professionals always show up promptly in a fully-stocked truck, provide up-front prices, and leave every home cleaner and more comfortable than they found it. LenAire, Inc. offers financing, membership perks, free estimates, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call now for dehumidifier services!
