Dehumidifier

November 19, 2012 - 12:52 am No Comments

When constructed properly and with the air conditioning and ventilation, a basement should be dry. But many basements are particularly prone to dampness because of their poor design and ventilation. The humidity of this type is a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, especially in basements where old books, magazines, clothing and suitcases are stored.When the humidity is over 50%, the water vapor in the air can cause furniture to deform, the moisture condenses on the walls and floors and promote growth of fungi. Also accelerate wood rot. For family members with allergies, a basement dehumidifier is crucial to reduce the health risks associated with toxic mold and mildew. But before going to buy a basement dehumidifier, consider taking some time to investigate the reason for the high humidity, and fix the underlying problems. For example, your basement should ideally be the same temperature as the rest of your house, and not an isolated cool temperature. Try adding weatherstripping to doors and windows of the basement. If the basement is not insulated, will have to weigh the costs of adding insulation against that of running a basement dehumidifier. Buying a basement dehumidifier will require a little planning. Know the cubic footage of the basement space that is going to get. You also need to decide on getting a permanently installed unit against a portable dehumidifier. A point of buying another is to consider are the size of the unit will fit in the space you are planning for it? Also note that some models are noisier than others, so ask for a demonstration before buying. A dehumidifier works on the same principle that refrigerators and air conditioners do. Moist air is passed through a cold coil bank in the process of removing much of the moisture condensation. This condensation drips off the coils into collection pockets inside the dehumidifier. Meanwhile, the dry air flow, heated a little by the extraction of moisture is directed away from the unit to the room again. Since the dehumidifier in the basement and out of the way, many people forget that it requires some maintenance. It is important to empty and clean the collection container inside the unit periodically, otherwise it will be prone to bacterial growth. Some companies manufacture basement dehumidifiers which have no inner collection container, but simply a hose that can be run to a floor drain, and these are a perfect solution to the problem.

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