Did you know that as many as 50 million people in the US experience allergies each year? Many of them have allergic rhinitis triggered by allergens like mold and dust mites.
If you’re one of those folks, it’s vital to control the humidity inside your home. One of the best ways to do that, in turn, is to use a dehumidifier.
So what is and how does a dehumidifier work then? How can dehumidifying the air in your home even help?
We’ll get to the bottom of those questions below, so read on.
What Is a Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is an appliance designed to lower humidity levels in the air. Humidity, in turn, is a measurement of the amount of moisture present in the air.
Dehumidifiers are like air conditioners in that they condense water vapors. However, their primary purpose is to minimize moisture, not cool the air. However, in doing so, they can help your AC unit work better and faster in producing cold air.
How Does a Dehumidifier Work Then?
A dehumidifier consists of a fan, cooling coils, compressor, refrigerant, and a reservoir.
The fan’s job is to collect air from within the space and pull it into the dehumidifier. The air that enters then passes through the evaporator coils cooled by refrigerant. That refrigerant then undergoes compression and expansion with the help of the compressor.
The cold coils rely on the process of condensation to remove moisture from the air. When that occurs, the water vapors in the air turn into droplets as they touch the cold coils. The collected water then drips into the appliance’s reservoir.
After that, the dehumidifier blows drier air back into the space.
At that point, the dehumidified air should have a relative humidity of between 30% and 50%. Depending on the brand and model of the device, it may come with a panel that shows how moist the air is.
Why Should You Dehumidify Indoor Air?
According to this under house dehumidifier guide, some humidity is good for the skin. It can also benefit the respiratory system.
Unfortunately, too much moisture in the air can make your home feel stuffy. Moreover, it can make your heating and air conditioning system work harder.
In addition, excessive humidity can give rise to allergic reactions. One reason is that allergens like mold and dust mites thrive in damp environments.
For instance, molds can begin growing in spaces with relative humidity (RH) of over 60%. For that reason, experts recommend maintaining indoor RH levels between 30% and 50%.
Dust mites can also multiply in areas with excessive dampness. According to studies, they can procreate in environments with an RH level of 70% or higher.
So, if your indoor air is too humid, you can use a dehumidifier to take some of that moisture out of it. It’s even more crucial if anyone in your household suffers from allergies.
Dehumidify to Breathe Healthier Indoor Air
And there you have it, the guide answering the question, “how does a dehumidifier work?” Now you know that it removes or reduces excessive moisture from the air. With its help, you can minimize allergens at home, such as molds and dust mites.
So, consider getting a dehumidifier ASAP to improve your home’s indoor air quality.
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