We've all experienced that damp, sticky, just-walked-through-a-rainforest feeling when humidity levels get out of control. It's miserable! But how do you know if you need a dehumidifier for your home? Here are the top 5 signs that moisture is getting out of hand.
You Keep Getting Rid of Mold, But It Keeps Coming Back
If you've got a pesky mold problem that just won't quit no matter how much you clean, high humidity is likely to blame. Mold thrives in damp environments with moisture levels above 50% relative humidity.
You may notice musty odors, visible spotting on walls/surfaces, or even allergy symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes. That's mold releasing spores into the air you breathe - gross! No amount of bleaching or scrubbing will fix it if humidity stays high. Do you need a dehumidifier in this situation? Definitely, yes!
Dehumidifiers create conditions too dry for mold to survive by pulling excess moisture out of the air. By reducing humidity below 50%, you essentially make your home uninhabitable for mold spores. Say goodbye to moisture, say goodbye to mold!
Your Home Always Feels Damp and Muggy
There's nothing worse than walking inside and immediately getting that clammy feeling like you never left the hot, sticky outdoors. High humidity makes you feel just plain uncomfortable in your own home.
You may also notice other signs of dampness like sticking doors and windows, peeling paint or wallpaper, or musty odors. That's because the excess moisture in the air is getting absorbed into surfaces, materials, and even your furniture.
What are dehumidifiers for? A dehumidifier will remove that excess airborne moisture to restore dry, comfortable air inside. No more feeling like you're living in a swamp! Dry air also prevents moisture damage to your home's structure and belongings.
You Have Condensation Building Up Everywhere
If you see water condensation forming on windows, pipes, vents, mirrors, or other surfaces, that's a sure sign of seriously high humidity levels. As warm air hits cooler surfaces, the moisture turns into liquid droplets.
While a little condensation is normal, excessive buildup indicates humidity levels that are through the roof and need to be controlled. Left unchecked, this can enable mold growth, cause water stains, and potentially lead to rot or other moisture damage over time.
A dehumidifier prevents damaging condensation by reducing humidity to recommended levels below 50%. No more fog on the windows, dripping pipes, or wet surfaces!
You've Had Water Leaks, Floods, or Other Moisture Intrusion
After any kind of water intrusion incident like leaks, floods, burst pipes, or even heavy rains, excess moisture gets absorbed into porous building materials like drywall, wood, insulation, carpets, and more. This leads to a major spike in indoor humidity as that moisture tries to evaporate into the air.
If you don't remove that airborne moisture quickly with a dehumidifier, it creates the perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, bacteria, and musty odors to take over your home. Not only is this unhealthy, but it can cause serious structural damage if left unchecked.
What does a dehumidifier do when it’s more than just a little water? Dehumidifiers are crucial for drying out after any water damage to prevent bigger problems down the line. They'll rapidly pull several pints of moisture out of the air each day to restore dry conditions fast and mitigate any potential mold issues.
You Live in a High-Humidity Climate or Area
For some parts of the country like the Southeast, Gulf Coast, and other coastal regions, high humidity just comes with the territory. Warm, moist air is a fact of life for much of the year in these areas.
Even if you don't live in a naturally humid climate, certain areas of the home like basements, crawlspaces, and bathrooms, are prone to dampness due to cooler temperatures, lack of airflow, and moisture sources.
In these cases, a permanent basement dehumidifier helps balance humidity to comfortable levels year-round so you're not feeling suffocated. No more struggling to breathe or feeling like you're trapped in a sauna in your own house!
How to Choose the Right Dehumidifier
Once you've decided you need a dehumidifier in basement, the next step is finding the right size and model for your home and humidity issue. First, determine the square footage of the area you need to cover, as well as how humid it currently is.
Smaller portable units around 30-50 pint capacity work well for single rooms, basements, or crawlspaces up to 1,500 sq ft. Larger whole-home models with 70 pints or higher capacity cover bigger spaces over 2,000 sq ft and prevent humidity issues throughout.
Also look for convenient features like auto-restart after power outages, built-in humidistat for automatic humidity control, and multiple drainage options like gravity feed or built-in pumps for continuous operation with minimal maintenance.
Energy efficiency certifications like Energy Star can help you save significantly on long-term operating costs as well. The more energy-efficient the unit, the lower your utility bills!
AlorAir: Powerful Dehumidifiers for Any Application
If you're in the market for a high-performance, low-maintenance dehumidifier, look no further than AlorAir. We offer a full range of compact, whole-home, and commercial-grade dehumidification solutions to fit any need. Take the AlorAir Sentinel HD55S Dehumidifier, for instance. It’s a great choice for smaller homes or problem areas. The HD55P is a more compact yet still capable option. It works for areas up to 1,300 sq. ft.
AlorAir's units are designed for maximum water removal, with models capable of extracting up to an incredible 250 pints of moisture per day from the air. Their durable construction and corrosion-resistant materials stand up to the toughest environments year after year. The AlorAir Sentinel HDi100 Dehumidifier is a powerful crawlspace and basement dehumidifier capable of removing up to 100 pints (15.7 gallons) of moisture per day. It has key features that make it well-suited for drying out after AC leaks. It’s designed for large areas up to 2,900 sq ft.
Energy efficiency is also a top priority, with features like low-temperature operation and smart dehumidifier control to optimize performance and costs. Many models are Energy Star certified for efficient operation that saves you money.
From basements to crawl spaces to big office buildings, AlorairCrawlspace has the right dehumidifier to handle any moisture problem. With industry-leading removal rates, robust designs, and a focus on efficiency, an AlorAir dehumidifier is a wise investment in your home's comfort and air quality.
Don't let excess humidity ruin your indoor environment - visit alorair.com today to explore solutions and find the perfect dehumidifier for your needs!
