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See, on these issues:
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Condition without Dehumidification |
Area (Sq. Feet) |
||||
|
500 |
1 |
1,5 |
2 |
2,5 |
|
|
Moderately Damp (space feels damp and has musty odor only in humid weather) |
10 |
14 |
18 |
22 |
26 |
|
Very Damp (space always feels damp and has musty odor. Damp spots show on walls and floor.) |
12 |
17 |
22 |
27 |
32 |
|
Wet (space feels and smells wet. Walls or floor sweat, or seepage is present.) |
14 |
20 |
26 |
32 |
38 |
|
Extremely Wet (laundry drying, wet floor, high load conditions.) |
16 |
23 |
30 |
37 |
44 |
Chart source: Energy Star and AHAM (Association of Home
Appliance Manufacturers)
Energy Star
Dehumidifiers and qualified brands
Considerer
qualified dehumidifiers models using
UE eco-labelling (European
countries) and Energy Star ratings (for USA,
Canada or New Zealand and Australia).
Qualified models are good options, even if they are initially more
expensive. They will assure good performances and high energy
efficiency.
Manufacturers and brand names
as
Amana, Amcor, Comfort Aire, Danby, Dayton,
De'Longhi, Fedders, Friedrich, Frigidaire, GE, GoldStar, Haier,
Home Hardware, Kenmore, LG, Maytag, Therma-Stor, Therma-Stor,
Whirlpool, Woods have excellent qualified models.
Dehumidifiers and Water Removal
Typical dehumidifiers use a removable plastic bucket and an automatic shutoff when the bucket is full of water. You won’t have to worry about the bucket overflowing.
To avoid the need of empting the bucket, typical dehumidifiers allow hooking a hose to the bucket and direct it into a floor drain (or sump pump).
Cares you should take regarding dehumidifiers
Be aware with electrical issues. Make sure the dehumidifier is
connected to a properly grounded outlet. Keep drain hoses and
water drainage away from electrical circuits, connections and
devices.
For better operations, the dehumidifier should be located in a way
that air can circulate freely around it.
To ensure that the space is dehumidified efficiently, your
home’s doors and windows should be closed while the dehumidifier
is running.
Sources of dust and dirt can clog dehumidifiers: so,
place it away from those sources.
Operating Temperature of Dehumidifiers
The dehumidifier removes
moisture from the air and that operation slightly warms the
space around the device. So, do not be alarmed if the air
temperature around the humidifier is a little warmer than
temperatures in surrounding areas.
If temperatures drop below 65 degrees F (18ºC) the performance
of many models of humidifiers can be affected due to frost
formed on the condensing coils, which will demand the unit to be
switched off and allowed to defrost before turned back on again.
The solution for this problem is in models capable of working at
very low temperatures and with
antifrost sensors
(which will
automatically turn off if the air temperature drops below a
certain point).
Humidity, Humidistats and Hygrometers
Many dehumidifiers include a built-in device (a humidistat) that allows to set the desired humidity level. The dehumidifier will cycle on and off automatically to maintain that level.
If your dehumidifier does not have a built-in humidistat, you may purchase a hygrometer. Hygrometers measure humidity levels and enable people to monitor when to turn the dehumidifier on and off.
See also:
Basics on Humidity
Dry home air and Humidifiers
Controlling home's high
levels of humidity
Moisture and
insulation
Mechanical ventilation: HEV and HRV
Natural
Ventilation: cross and stack
Back to top Home Air Sealing
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