| Everyone is familiar with air conditioning units, but | | | | dehumidifiers, on the other hand, used desiccant |
| the dehumidifier is often a mystery to the | | | | materials such as silica gel, which have an |
| uninitiated. So what exactly is a dehumidifier and | | | | extraordinary capacity for adsorbing water from |
| when are you likely to need one? | | | | the air. |
| Dehumidifier basics | | | | Dehumidifier brands |
| As the name suggests, a dehumidifier is a piece | | | | A number of household brands produce reliable |
| of equipment designed to lower the humidity of | | | | dehumidifier units, including Panasonic, Sanyo and |
| an interior environment. The optimal humidity for | | | | Mitsubishi. Kris, Mayaka, EdgeStar and Danby are |
| interiors is between 30 and 50 percent. Anything | | | | some of the other major suppliers. |
| more than that and it becomes a problem, | | | | Dehumidification units are typically portable, making |
| because humid air conditions make it more likely | | | | it possible to wheel the unit from room to room |
| that damp and mould will develop, which pose a | | | | as required. |
| hazard both for human health and for the | | | | Recycling the water |
| structural integrity of the building. | | | | A byproduct of dehumidifiers is, naturally, water. |
| Different types of dehumidifier | | | | This is taken from the area and then collected in |
| The most common variety of dehumidifiers are | | | | the unit in a bucket. Rather than simply pouring |
| mechanical units that use a small fan to draw in | | | | this down the drain, the water can be reused. |
| moist air over a refrigerated coil. Since the cooling | | | | Although it is not suitable for drinking, the water is |
| of air lowers the saturation vapour pressure of | | | | ideal for irrigation purposes (i.e. watering plants) |
| water within it, water then condenses into liquid | | | | although should not be used on edible plants |
| form and is collected for disposal. The drier air is | | | | because of there is a risk of contamination. |
| then returned to the room. Desiccant | | | | Perfectly acceptable, however, on flower beds. |