As the temperatures cool during winter, you’ve probably noticed condensation forming on windows and glass panes. Condensation is also common in kitchens and bathrooms. You’ll see tiny water droplets on appliances when you cook or on the shower door after running hot water.
Excess moisture in the home can be harmful. If you start to notice a lot of condensation, consider installing a window condensation absorber to mitigate potential harm. The last thing you want is for mould to start infiltrating your house. These absorbers can be plugged in and cost as little as 8 pence an hour to run. Plus, they make the room easier to heat as the moisture in the air has been removed.
The Importance of Dealing with Condensation
Condensation may not seem like a big deal, especially when it’s just a few droplets on a shower door. However, if you let moisture build up, it will lead to mould, which can be highly toxic.
Furthermore, mould is unsightly, creating large dark blotches on walls and ceilings. These ugly markings can also damage your property, causing rot and decay in door and window frames, as well as furniture and floorboards.
However, the long-term isn’t your only concern. Efficient energy use, particularly in relation to your central heating, is one of the leading solutions for reducing condensation. By addressing the moisture in your home, you can also reduce your electricity bill.
But first, you’ve got to find more direct solutions. If you have moisture issues in your home, the heating or ventilation system may not be enough to prevent severe damage. In this case, you’ll need to consider tools like dehumidifiers to address the air quality.
Condensation Solutions
Ultimately, the most critical factors in preventing adverse effects from condensation include controlling your home’s humidity, improving its ventilation, and enhancing its insulation. Doing so will help regulate the temperature of the indoor space, reducing regular collisions of warm and cold air.
Moreover, having adequate ventilation ensures that when condensation does occur, the air and moisture have a place to escape. However, despite your best efforts, condensation may persist.
Dehumidifiers are excellent solutions in these instances. They’re beneficial appliances in all homes as they can improve the air quality of your home, provide allergy relief, and decrease odours.
How Do Dehumidifiers Work?
Most dehumidifiers consist of four key components that work together to draw unwanted moisture from the air. Here are the most important parts to know about:
- Compressor: This is used to cool the compressor coils. It generally does this by compressing and expanding refrigerant gases.
- Reheater: This component collects and stores the heat generated during the cooling process by the compressor.
- Compressor cooling coils: These components help regulate the device’s temperature and prevent damage from overheating.
- Reservoir: This collects the drips of moisture created by the dehumidifying process.
Essentially, a fan pulls air from the room into the dehumidifier, allowing the air to pass through the device and reach the cooling coils. These coils cool down the air, causing condensation to develop.
The water from the condensation eventually drips into the reservoir. The dehumidifier then heats the air to a desired temperature and emits it back into the room.
Alternatively, some dehumidifiers use a desiccant method to remove moisture from the air. The primary difference with this type of device is that it features a desiccant wheel, a water-absorbing material, rather than cooling coils.
Depending on the size of the room and the amount of moisture, a dehumidifier will significantly reduce moisture levels within a few days. However, for larger spaces, it may take several weeks to complete. Devices are usually labelled by a specific litre capacity, representing the amount of moisture they remove from a room in 24 hours (theoretically).
It’s recommended that you empty the reservoir daily to track the amount of moisture your device is collecting. The water collected from a dehumidifier can be repurposed and used to water your plants or to fill your iron. However, it is not recommended to drink or feed it to pets.
Perhaps the most crucial consideration with dehumidifiers is their low operating cost, which can be as little as two to three pounds for 24 hours of operation. Modern appliances are easy to use and come with handles and wheels, making them easy to move around and plug in.
The Pro Breeze Dehumidifier
The Pro Breeze dehumidifier is an ideal choice for homes that need effective dehumidification. Its discreet and compact design means it won’t look out of place and ugly in your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room. Plus, it operates quietly, so it won’t distract you if you’re sleeping or working from home.
With up to 20 litres of moisture extraction per day, the Pro Breeze is capable of improving the air quality of large rooms. It contains smart technology that detects the current humidity levels of a room. This allows you to select your desired humidity and track it as the moisture is extracted.
If you don’t have time to monitor the device continuously, you can set it to your desired humidity level, and it will turn off once the target is reached. The Pro Breeze features a built-in timer, allowing you to schedule dehumidifying cycles throughout the day. It also has four modes:
- Clothes drying mode (perfect for keeping your laundry room moisture-free)
- Child lock
- Auto defrost
- Sleep mode
With a 5.5-litre water tank, you don’t need to empty the device every hour. However, you’ll need to keep an eye on the levels. Perhaps the best feature of this device is its usability. Its LED display and touch panel make it extremely easy to set up, use, and program.
The Pro Breeze’s capacity makes it a viable long-term option for your home. It’s a powerful dehumidifier that’s capable of drying laundry. Keep an eye out for our upcoming full review of the Pro Breeze.
Meaco Low-Energy Dehumidifier
The Meaco low-energy dehumidifier is a smaller, energy-efficient alternative to the Pro Breeze. It’s a compact device that removes up to 12 litres of water from the air daily. It’s not quite as powerful as the Pro Breeze, so if you’re looking for a device to dry clothes, there are better options available.
However, for reducing mould, mildew, and musty odours, the Meaco is a cost-effective option. It’s an excellent dehumidifier for bedrooms, as it effectively removes dust mites and alleviates seasonal allergies. The Meaco is a popular device for individuals with asthma. Its energy efficiency means you don’t have to worry about leaving it plugged in for long periods.
Like the Pro Breeze, the Meaco features several modern conveniences, including a timer and innovative technology. However, the standout feature is its air purifier. It’s built with a medical-grade HEPA filter, meaning it can effectively clean the air of nanoparticles, such as dust, pet dander, allergens, and other airborne contaminants.
Alternative Ventilation Solutions
Dehumidifiers are highly effective at improving the air quality in a space. However, there is another option available for more comprehensive ventilation needs. That other alternative is called a positive input ventilation(PIV) system.
These systems improve ventilation by recycling stale air with fresh, filtered air.
Rather than removing moisture from the existing air, a PIV uses ventilation to address the root of the problem. It eliminates pollutants, allergens, and excess humidity through efficient ventilation. Read more about how PIV units solve condensation problems in the home here.
Conclusion
It’s essential to address condensation issues promptly. Otherwise, you may be left with costly repair work shortly. Furthermore, mould development can trigger adverse health reactions, which you’ll also want to avoid.
Depending on the extent of your problem, either of the dehumidifiers mentioned above may be a good solution. Both are modern, energy-efficient devices that are easy to use and programmable. They operate quietly, ensuring they can be used frequently in your home without disturbance. Keep an eye out for our blog on using dehumidifiers for drying laundry.
However, in homes that lack ventilation, positive input ventilation (PIV) systems may be a better option. Consider all solutions and contact Cool Runnings Ltd if you require expert assistance. Send your query through this link.
