| About Dehumidifiers And Humidity |
| Dehumidifiers are vital for
environmental control in areas where humidity can rise above 50% naturally. At
humidity levels above 50%, increased water vapor present in the air can begin to
allow furniture to warp, accelerate wood rot, and harbor toxic mold and fungus
(which cause odors and health problems). A dehumidifier draws water in from the air and collects it into a holding tank or out through a hose connection.
Active dehumidifiers have almost the same internal machinery as an air-conditioner. Where an air-conditioner cools on one side and releases heat on the other, a dehumidifier cools and then reheats the air. When the air is cooled inside the vents of dehumidifiers, the water held in the air condenses in the same way it condenses on a cold beverage on a hot day. The condensed water drips into the collection area and away from the air flow. After cooling, the air is re-heated to room temperature using the same heat that was removed from it in the first phase. The amount of water collection and speed at which water is removed varies among the different models, but specifications generally range from 20 pints (2.5 Gallons) to 70 pints (8.75 Gallons) of water removal per day from the air. Passive dehumidifiers are basically specifically engineered sponges that draw the humidity from the air and hold it. There are no moving parts to these dehumidifiers and they are much cheaper, but they are usually one-time use or refillable and only cover a small area about the size of a closet. |
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