Dehumidifier FAQs
What causes high humidity? And should it concern me?
High humidity often occurs due to excess moisture and condensation, which can be caused by various factors, such as drying your clothes on radiators, as well as leaks and poor ventilation. This warm, damp environment makes an ideal breeding ground for mould and bacteria.
If left untreated, this can lead to unpleasant odours, damaged furniture, mould spots, wood rot, and even structural damage – not to mention the negative impact it can have on your health, with high humidity levels making conditions such as asthma and allergies worse.
How does a dehumidifier work?
Dehumidifiers work by removing any excess water from the air and lowering humidity levels, which can get rid of pollutants, mould, damp and allergens. The moisture pulled from the air gets collected into a drip tray, and warm, dry air is pushed back into the room.
What are the different types of dehumidifiers?
There are two main types of dehumidifiers: refrigerant and desiccant. Refrigerant models remove moisture from the air by cooling and condensing it and depositing excess water into a tank. While desiccant dehumidifiers remove excess water vapour from the air by absorbing it into chemicals, such as silica gel.
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?
Dehumidifiers are a cost-effective and straightforward way of making your home feel drier and more comfortable. Depending on the size and energy efficiency of the model, they don’t cost much to run, even if you have them on for an extended period of time. They can also offer an eco-friendly alternative to a tumble drier, as they help dry your laundry faster by sucking the water out of your wet clothes, without releasing the moisture back into the room.
What are the best deals on dehumidifiers?
Annual sales such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer the perfect opportunity to save on home appliances, but worthwhile savings will still crop up throughout the year. For instance, there’s currently a discount of 23 per cent on De’Longhi’s DEX216F dehumidifier (was £349.99, now £269, Amazon.co.uk).
While, elsewhere, at Appliances Direct, there’s a deal on a Meaco arete 20l low-energy laundry dehumidifier (was £328.99, now £239.99, Appliancesdirect.co.uk) that will save you almost £90 on the model. If you’re looking for a dehumidifier and air purifier hybrid, there’s a saving of £30 to be made on a model from ElectriQ (was £129.97, now £99.97, Appliancesdirect.co.uk).
The verdict: Dehumidifiers
When it comes to buying the best dehumidifier, consider how much room you have to store one and whether you need a dedicated laundry function. Our best buy is the MeacoDry arete one 25l dehumidifier. This dehumidifier does an excellent job of tackling excess moisture, it also fights damp and mould while acting as an air purifier. The HEPA filter makes it a great choice for anyone with allergies too, as it will rid the air of dust, pollen and any other pollutants that may cause irritation.
If you’re on a budget and have windows prone to condensation, it’s worth taking a look at the Blysscurve reusable dehumidifier. It’s a super small and compact offering that will sit neatly on any surface, and doesn’t use electricity to run.
For a breath of fresh air, take a look at the best air purifiers to oust pollen, dust and bacteria