Moldy walls, misty windows, and musty odor – all these are signs that your space has a humidity problem. But when you buy a dehumidifier from a reputable supplier, you can bid goodbye to this problem. Dehumidifiers from Aloraircrawlspace are highly effective in getting rid of humidity from the air and making indoor air conditions healthier.
As you grab the dehumidifier of your choice, remember to arm yourself with a few handy tips on the optimal use of the device. Here is an important guide on how to get the ideal performance from the dehumidifier.
What is indoor humidity?
Indoor humidity is the amount of water vapor present in indoor air. The measure is usually expressed in terms of percentage, with experts recommending an indoor relative humidity of 40 to 60%.
You get the true taste of unfavorable indoor humidity during humid weather when it becomes so unbearable. The high humidity affects the health of occupants and damages items in the house. Bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms can multiply rapidly on the floor, ceiling, walls, and furniture, reaching unprecedented levels over time.
Touching or even inhaling these microorganisms can have adverse effects on human health. It is worse for people with chronic respiratory illnesses such as bronchial asthma.
Indoor humidity can also affect your thermal comfort because there is an interrelationship between temperature and humidity. The humid air during summertime creates an uncomfortable feeling on the skin. Matters are not any better during winter because the discomfort is that the skin dries up.
Fortunately, a well-designed and optimally used dehumidifier can handle all that.
Choosing the dehumidifier
One of the frequently asked questions about dehumidifiers is: What is the best size for my house?
The answer revolves around the amount of moisture in the room and the size of the room. If the activities in your home generate significant moisture, consider a dehumidifier that matches that. The same case applies to the size of the space: A bigger space will demand a more powerful unit, and vice versa.
A key point to remember is that the size of the dehumidifier is the capability of the device to remove moisture from the air, not the physical size. Dehumidifiers are usually rated in pints or related parameters, related to the amount of humidity the machine can discard per day.
We specify the extraction rate on each of our dehumidifiers, with higher rates suiting bigger spaces, and vice versa. The capacity ranges from 70 to 25 pints.
Dehumidifier Setup Tips
For the dehumidifier to work optimally, it is also important to set it up correctly. This concerns the location you choose, how you position the equipment, its orientation, the type of power connection, and the initial setup.
The Location and Positioning of the Dehumidifier
The best place for the dehumidifier is always where the humidity is highest. Placing it far from the humidity concentration can significantly affect the efficiency.
Another great place to put the dehumidifiers device is in a central area. This is particularly critical for larger spaces. Such positioning prevents instances of humidity pockets.
You want to place the dehumidifier where the airflow is adequate too. That means keeping it as far as possible from obstructions such as furniture, walls, and corners.
The Dehumidifier Orientation
Orientation is the device’s positioning compared to the intake and exhaust vents. This too plays an important role in the optimal performance of the dehumidifier.
Once you have identified the intake port of the equipment (it typically has grilles/vents), ensure that it enjoys free airflow. Objects such as furniture and walls should not be in the way of the air intake.
The exhaust side also will often have grilles or vents. It is usually on the opposite side of the intake side. Ensure that no obstruction prevents or hampers the free release of dry air into the space.
When the manufacturer has provided guidelines on orientation, it is worthwhile to consider them. Look for such details in the user manual.
Powering the Dehumidifier
Electrical safety, power supply stability, and overloads can indirectly affect the optimal performance of the dehumidifier. Therefore, you need to take some time on this aspect as well.
Most dehumidifiers work with the standard voltage for household applications – 120 Volts. However, it is always important to confirm if that’s what the manufacturer has recommended. If possible, assign a dedicated outlet to the dehumidifier.
Check the socket for proper grounding for your safety and the long-term reliability of the dehumidifier. Where you may need to use an extension cord, consider the dangers of overheating and efficiency loss.
Again, most manufacturers provide instructions on how to connect the device to power.
The Initial Setup and Testing
This is the final step, but equally important for the optimal use of the dehumidifier. Adherence to the manufacturer’s instructions and best practices for the installation of the device is important here.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions, especially when setting the fan speed and humidity levels. Using the points already discussed in this post, choose the best location for the dehumidifier.
For dehumidifiers that come with condensate pumps or other extra features, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for installation.
After everything is set, run the device and observe for any issues.
Using the Dehumidifier Effectively
After handling the dehumidifier selection and setup stages, you also want to focus on the day-to-day usage of the device. Knowing the tricks around the effective daily usage of the dehumidifier can help use it optimally in the long run. Consider the following strategies for healthier indoor humidity conditions and better-used dehumidifiers:
Adjusting fan speed and humidity settings: These adjustments should be based on the environmental conditions and the specific indoor humidity levels. For instance, higher indoor humidity levels may prompt you to adjust the setting upwards.
The ideal indoor relative humidity as specified by the Environmental Protection Agency is 30 to 50%. Seek to achieve this level for optimal indoor air quality and comfort.
Adjusting the timer function: Identify times of the day when the humidity is usually higher and set the timer to operate then.
Regular performance evaluation: The most straightforward way to determine the performance of the dehumidifier is to check the amount of water it collects in the reservoir.
But remember that this is dependent on several factors, the main ones being the relative humidity and room temperature. Expect the device to remove less water the more you approach the desired relative humidity.
It is normal for the reservoir to fill in two days if the indoor conditions are favorable. Filling up in a few hours is also possible when the humidity levels are higher.
Draining the reservoir: The frequency of draining the water reservoir depends on the capacity of the unit and the room conditions. If your unit has a condensate pump, then you don’t have much to worry about.
Connect the drain pipe to the sink or any other location and the pump self-activates when the tank is full. Otherwise, you need to do drain the water manually or install a condensate pump.
Maintenance Tips for the Dehumidifier
The dehumidifier generally demands little in maintenance. However, the fact that it has moisture running through the components means there might be a need for regular cleaning.
Cleaning the washable filter every few weeks is recommended to get rid of impurities such as mold and dirt. Clean the filter and reinstall it when dry.
Apart from the regular clean-up and occasional change of the filter, there is nothing more to ponder about. Probably the storage aspect during the offseason. For the disposable, the manufacturer will normally provide instructions on when and how to replace it.
If you are going to store the dehumidifier during the offseason, follow the following steps:
* Unplug the equipment
* If the filter is washable, clean it
* Drain the water tank and clean it with warm water to prevent mold/mildew growth
* Disconnect the hose and wipe the port
* Cover the dehumidifier and store it
By following this guide on the optimal use of the dehumidifier, you can achieve better humidity control while running the device for longer. Note that consulting a professional for the best size and configuration of the dehumidifier can help you make significant steps toward the optimal performance of the equipment.
The Aloraircrawlspace dehumidifiers are highly efficient and reliable. With their superior designs and ENERGY STAR certification, these machines have earned the trust of users in industrial, commercial, and residential settings. Combined with the tips for optimal use shared here, our dehumidifiers should provide you peace of mind regardless of the soaring temperatures outdoors.
Contact a representative from Aloraircrawlspace for more dehumidifier tips and region-specific warranty plans.
