Have you noticed your appliances and walls to be damp or foggy? It’s hot and uncomfortable. That's because the humidity level in the room is high.

Humidity is the amount of water vapour present in the air. At home, the rise in humidity levels is caused by running dishwashers, washing machines and showers and steaming up the kitchen as we cook and dry our clothes.

To address this problem, you can use a dehumidifier. If you are interested in buying the best dehumidifier, learn from this simple guide.

What Are Dehumidifiers?

We need to find solutions to eliminate the excess humidity around us; what better way to do that is to invest in a high-quality dehumidifier. However, it is best to thoroughly understand a dehumidifier before purchasing one for your home.

A dehumidifier is a household appliance that reduces humidity by removing moisture from the air. It is often used when the humidity in your home has increased. A house with a dehumidifier feels cooler, fresher, drier, cleaner and bug-free. It's great for people with asthma, allergies and respiratory illnesses.

Do not confuse dehumidifiers with humidifiers because they are two different and opposite appliances. Humidifiers give off moisture to the air when humidity is so low that it causes skin dryness and chapped lips.

How Dehumidifiers Work

Most dehumidifiers in Australia work by refrigeration process. Firstly, the moist air is sucked in and filtered in the dehumidifier. Whilst inside, the filtered air is cooled down to condense the vapour in its liquid form. Then the air is reheated, and the warm air is released from the humidifier into the room.

Dehumidifier Buying Guide

Buying a dehumidifier is tricky and stressful if you don't know what to look for. Here are some of the important things to check and consider when purchasing a dehumidifier.

• Where Can I Use Dehumidifiers?

The first thing to consider is where to use the dehumidifier when buying one. You can use dehumidifiers anywhere indoors, but the best place would be the location closest to the source of moisture.

The basement and the bathroom are two of the most common places for dehumidifiers. However, you may select a room or part of your home or office where you think it is too humid. Take note of its size and ventilation. If you can, measure the humidity inside using a hygrometer and its temperature using a thermometer.

• Types of Dehumidifiers

There are three known types of dehumidifiers:

1. Refrigerator or Compressor—The most widely used type of dehumidifier in Australia. This dehumidifier type uses a filter over cold coils to draw in air and coolants or condensers to cool down filtered air. It generally works best in places with higher temperatures and humidity.
2. Absorption or Desiccant—This uses a wheel of absorbent material to extract water from the air. It works best in places with lower temperatures.
3. Thermo-electric—This is a less common type of dehumidifier in Australia. It uses a peltier module and an active heat pump to draw in moisture.

• Specifications

The next thing to know when buying a dehumidifier is its specifications. Here are some essential features that can help you decide which dehumidifier to buy:

• Size. Depending on the amount of moisture they can remove in 24 hours, there are three standard sizes of a dehumidifier unit. The large capacity dehumidifier can remove 40 L; medium dehumidifier, 29 L; and small dehumidifier, 17 L. The best option would depend on the size of your room.
• Drainage. Some humidifiers require manual draining by emptying the water tray by hand. Some use hose connections for continuous draining.
• Air filters. Choose dehumidifiers with washable air filters to prevent contaminants from clogging the filters and damaging your unit.
• Automatic features. Look for dehumidifiers with auto-restart and auto-defrost features. Auto-restart lets your unit start again after a power outage. Auto-defrost turns off dehumidifiers when frost begins to form around its coil.
• Humidistat. It helps you set your desired humidity level. Some units are pre-set from 40% to 80% humidity.
• Installation. Choose the unit that you can easily install in your home. Compare its voltage requirement with your power supply at home. The unit must be compatible with what is available in your home.

Where Can I Buy Dehumidifiers?

Dehumidifiers are available in most appliance stores in Australia. You can also opt to order through reliable online shops like XPOWER.

How Much Does a Dehumidifier Cost?

The best dehumidifiers in Australia cost between $300 and $1,000. The price depends on its brand, size and features.

Maintenance and Care for Dehumidifiers

If you buy a dehumidifier, it is important to know how to clean and maintain it. Regular cleaning and maintenance of a dehumidifier help it to function at its maximum capacity, thus, you are assured that you are getting your money's worth.

Clean your dehumidifier at least once every few weeks. Unplug your unit then you can:

• Wipe the surface.
• Wash the water tray.
• Rinse the filters.
• Vacuum or softly brush down the remaining specks of dirt inside the unit.
• Clean the bucket filter.

You may also opt to have it cleaned by professional dehumidifier cleaners.

XPOWER: The Best-Selling Dehumidifiers in Australia

Never let humidity get in the way of enjoying your home. Invest in your comfort.

XPOWER, one of the leading suppliers of humidifiers in Australia, provides high-quality dehumidifier units you can purchase for your home. Our units have top-notch quality, are easy to use and are durable.

For more details about our dehumidifiers and other products, call us at (03) 9460 5655 today.