If you have a musty odour all over your house and notice mould growth on the walls, humidity is high in your home. Mould is a fungus that grows when there is a source of moisture. Although some forms of mould cause no health issues, others can lead to severe respiratory problems.

If you want to keep your home free of mould and mildew, one of the most important things you can do is control the humidity level.

The ideal relative humidity for indoor spaces is between 30 and 50 per cent. However, many homes have higher moisture levels due to various factors, such as location, climate and building materials. When your home's humidity level gets too high, it creates the perfect environment for mould and mildew to grow.

How Do I Choose a Dehumidifier for My Home?

If you live in an area with high humidity, you know how uncomfortable it can be. The air is thick and sticky, which makes it difficult to breathe. Your skin feels clammy, and your clothes stick to you. Not only is it uncomfortable, but this excess moisture can also damage your home. Wood furniture swells and warps, paint peels, wallpaper loosens, mould grows, dust mites appear— the list goes on. If this is the case, it may be time to invest in a dehumidifier.

Dehumidifiers can help improve air quality and make it easier to breathe. But how do you choose an efficient dehumidifier for your home?

When choosing a dehumidifier, make sure to consider factors like device size, room size, device capacity and features.

Room Vs Unit Size

The size of your dehumidifier unit will determine how much space it can cover. It is common knowledge to say that if your area is small, your unit should be small, and if the space or room gets bigger, it needs a bigger unit.

The best thing to illustrate this is to measure the room size and determine its total square metres. From there, you can check for devices that fit your space.

Dehumidifier Capacity (Pint/Litre Rating)

Dehumidifiers are designed based on different capacity ratings. This refers to how much water the unit can remove daily from the air. When purchasing a dehumidifier, it should indicate how many pints (litres) of moisture it can release in each space. Units with higher ratings are excellent for rooms with higher humidity levels.

Your chosen dehumidifier should fit your space's size and the moisture level in that area. Dehumidifiers with a 75-pint capacity are suitable for residential use. On the other hand, dehumidifiers with 75 and above capacity are more suitable for commercial and industrial applications.

Recommended pint ratings:

Level of Humidity in a Room

How damp is the room that needs a dehumidifier?

The room's humidity level is another factor in determining the right dehumidifier you need. How damp is your room? A room's moisture level may be classified as moderately or extremely wet.

We can say that a space is moderately wet with occasional musty smells. If the floors or walls are always damp and water slightly streaks due to collected moisture, its humidity level is wet. And if the moisture level reaches an extreme point, the floor will have standing water.

Also, factor in the following when deciding on the dehumidifier type and size:

• Location/climate condition—Does it frequently rain in your area?
• The number of people living at home—How many occupants move around in a particular room?
• Number of pets (if there are any)—Pet furs can be a source of heat and moisture, especially when they have infections or allergies.
• Number of windows and doors—Poor ventilation is the primary cause of high humidity.
• Types of home appliances available—Dryers and dishwashers are sources of excess indoor humidity.

Dehumidifier Types

• Desiccant Dehumidifiers

Desiccant dehumidifiers use the desiccation technique to absorb moisture from the air. If you are familiar with the tiny packets of silica gels in brand new items like shoes or small items in a box, these little beads are used in dehumidifiers that are desiccant in function. Silica gels are synthesised silica or silicon dioxide, the same material found on sandy beaches. These beads are highly porous, absorb heat and moisture and keep the space around dry.

Desiccant dehumidifiers are excellent in commercial and industrial spaces like medical laboratories or construction sites, where the temperature is low. The desiccation feature speeds up the drying and salvaging of materials from water damage or controls humidity. The extraction rate capacity of desiccant dehumidifiers is almost 300 hundred times per day than the normal household usage.

• Refrigerant Dehumidifiers

Refrigerant dehumidifiers work with the same technology as refrigeration and air conditioning, eliminating moisture through an evaporator coil. A dehumidifier of this type has a fast-drying process but works more effectively in smaller areas like the rooms in a typical home. They work better in spaces where the temperature is warmer, such as your laundry and kitchen area.

What Else Should You Look for in a Dehumidifier?

• Does the dehumidifier unit bacteria repellent? Because dehumidifiers use air filters, some of them have antimicrobial coatings that prevent the growth of bacteria.
• Is the dehumidifier built with humidistat? This is a device feature where you can set a target based on the humidity level in a room.
• Does it have indicator lights? It is convenient if the device can automatically tell that the water collected is full.
• Do you need portable dehumidifiers? Dehumidifiers, just like any home appliance, can be heavy. Some have handles and wheels for easy transport and handling.

Given all these factors and conditions, what is the best dehumidifier to buy?

XPOWER: The Best-Selling Dehumidifiers in Australia

If you need dehumidifiers, XPOWER offers the best dehumidifiers in Australia. We have a range of powerful dehumidifiers that have proven maximum water removal efficiency and humidity control. Our units are built with an electronic display for you to monitor temperature and humidity at the exhaust conveniently.

Here at XPOWER, you can find the best dehumidifier for your industry. Our air-drying solutions can be used for restoration and remediation.

For more information on our products, contact us today.