What does a dehumidifier do?

Humidity is something you’re more likely to associate with tropical holidays. Not so much on cold days at home. But our homes in the winter can suffer from a lot more water in the air, and that’s generally from drying clothes indoors rather than on a line outside. Plus, some homes are generally more prone to damp or mould in the winter months, so a dehumidifier is a great investment if you need to reduce the water in a building.

If there’s an excess of humidity in your home, then you risk having water stains on the walls, mould on the ceilings or condensation on the windows – all of which can lead to problems. That’s anything from creaking floorboards, warped wood, peeling paint and insects such as silverfish or spiders coming in. The additional moisture in the air can also have a negative impact on your health, so it’s something to take seriously.

Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, which helps to reduce humidity levels and create a more comfortable home. All humidifiers do much the same thing: humid air is sucked in, water’s extracted, and then dry air is released back into the room. This process typically involves a fan that pulls the air into the dehumidifier, where it passes over a cooling or moisture-absorbing element.

The moisture in the air condenses into water droplets, which are collected in a tank or drained away. The now drier air is then reheated slightly before being blown back into the room. This continuous cycle helps to maintain a balanced humidity level, preventing issues like mould growth, musty odours and dampness.

Dehumidifiers are really useful in areas with high humidity or poor ventilation, such as basements, bathrooms and laundry rooms.

When it comes to dehumidifiers, there are two main types: refrigerant and desiccant.

Refrigerant dehumidifiers work by cooling the air to condense moisture, which is then collected in a tank. These models are generally more energy-efficient and effective in warmer, humid conditions. However, they can be less efficient in cooler temperatures and may require regular maintenance to keep the coils clean.

Desiccant dehumidifiers use a moisture-absorbing material to extract water from the air. They are typically quieter and perform well in lower temperatures, making them ideal for colder climates. The downside is that they can be more energy-intensive and may need frequent replacement of the desiccant material.

After a flood or leak, a dehumidifier can play a crucial role in reducing water damage and humidity levels. When water gets into your home, it can lead to a host of problems. Mould and smell aside, your house can even be left with structural damage.

A dehumidifier helps by quickly reducing the humidity in the affected area. By lowering the moisture levels, a dehumidifier can help to dry out walls, floors and furniture more quickly. This helps prevent long-term damage and helps your home recover more quickly.

So, while you can’t just rely on a dehumidifier to dry out your home, it can play an important part.

A dehumidifier can be a great help when it comes to drying laundry indoors. By reducing the humidity levels in the room, a dehumidifier speeds up the drying process. So it’s far more efficient than simply hanging clothes to dry. In fact, lots of dehumidifiers have settings specifically designed for drying washing.

This is particularly useful during winter months, where outside drying is a no-go and inside drying can lead to the buildup of mould-loving moisture in your home. By keeping the air dry, a dehumidifier ensures that your laundry dries faster and your indoors stay comfortable and healthy.

Choosing the right size dehumidifier for your home is the best way to start stamping out the damp. A small dehumidifier in a large house won’t be able to keep up. But if you need a dehumidifer for a small room, there’s no point buying something that takes up too much space. The size of a dehumidifier is typically measured in litres of moisture removed per day. Lots of dehumidifiers will also have a measurement of what kind of room size can tackle - measured in metres squared.

To work out the appropriate size, you’ll need to have a rough idea of the size of your space.

For smaller spaces like bathrooms or closets, a dehumidifier with a capacity of up to 25 m² should be more than enough. This will be covered by most portable dehumidifers.

For medium-sized rooms or basements, a unit with a capacity of 50 m² should be plenty.

For larger areas or spaces with high humidity levels, you can get humidifers that can high as 220 m². Though it’s unlikely you’ll need anything as powerful in a typical home.

• If you don’t fancy emptying the water tank regularly, then look for a continuous drain facility – you can connect a hose to drain the water away.
• How much will it cost to run the dehumidifer? If cost is a concern, go for an energy efficient or smaller model.
• Consider whether the dehumidifier has a humidistat, which turns itself on and off, maintaining the humidity you’ve chosen without being on needlessly.
• An alternative to the humidistat is a timer. You can use this to set the unit to run over a set time and save electricity.
• How easy it is to move from room to room – some have wheels, so you don’t have to lift.
• Check how noisy the unit is – you don’t want to be disturbed while it works its magic.

Looking to dry your laundry faster? The Russell Hobbs RHDH1001 Portable Dehumidifier has got you covered. It can handle rooms up to 30m squared and extract 10 litres of water per day. Plus, you can control how long it's on using the timer on the display panel. And LED indicators let you know when it's time to empty the 2-litre water tank. And because it’s light and compact, you can move it where you need it most.

Meaco dehumidifers are some of the best around! This 12-litre MeacoDry Arete One is a compact dehumidifier and air purifier in one. Its medical-grade HEPA filter removes up to 99.95% of particles in the air, helping to keep you healthy and comfortable. Plus, it has a Smart Laundry Mode that automatically switches off when your clothes are dry, a Night Mode that runs quietly and it's cheap to run at just 4.3p per hour. And don't worry about it taking up too much floor space - it can be used flat against a wall. You can even attach a garden hose to reuse the water outside.

If you need to go big, this ECOAIR Droid Desiccant Dehumidifier can handle spaces up to 220 m²! It's got an active carbon filter that takes care of air pollutants, so you can breathe easy. Plus, it's really user-friendly - the digital control panel makes setting the temperature and changing modes a breeze.

And even if you’re doing lots of lifting and shifting - the anti-tilt protection means it'll switch off even if it tips over a little. And the two five-litre tanks will save you having to empty it out every five minutes. And its water full shutdown function makes sure there's not a drop wasted. And you can take it where it’s needed, thanks to those handy wheels and side hand grip.

We know that dehumidifiers can help tackle damp, but If you’re looking to improve the air quality in your home, our Fans, heating and air treatment buying guide is a great place to start.