Do you need a dehumidifier in the basement?
While it is generally true, that any home can benefit from a basement dehumidifier, some house properties demand dehumidifiers more than others. Theoretically speaking, their house is at risk of structural damage due to high moisture levels in the basement causing the rise of mold, mildew, an unfriendly musty smell, and an overall unpleasant indoor environment. Having a dehumidifier in the basement can solve all these problems at once by serving as a valuable tool to enhance the overall indoor living environment. Now coming to the main question:"Do you need a dehumidifier in the basement as well?" If so then you are at the right place, where you’ll get all the necessary answers and information you need.
Why should you install a Dehumidifier in Basements?
Due to the lack of a proper ventilation system, basements are known to be one of the dampest places in a home. If this dampness is not properly taken care of, it can lead to various problems like unwanted mold growth, mildew, musty odor, and damage to house integrity. Ultimately, your home could fall prey to the damaging effects of rot, degrading the house's stability.
By installing a basement dehumidifier, you can solve a myriad of problems that have been troubling your peaceful life. These dehumidifiers effectively regulate moisture levels, ensuring a welcoming and lively atmosphere for the residents. This newfound comfort allows you to decorate and use the basements for various purposes such as a study room, gym, or just a comfortable living area to spend time with your family.
In essence, installing a basement dehumidifier is an effective solution to overcome high moisture levels along with enhanced indoor air quality. So, if you’re having trouble in your basement, now is the right time to invest in a basement dehumidifier.
What is the Role of Dehumidifier in Your Basement?
High humidity levels in the basement can give rise to various challenging opponents. Tackling these issues is the job of a dehumidifier. Here’s how a dehumidifier operates to reduce moisture levels back to normal.
Dehumidifiers are devices that have cooling coils inside them. Once moist air is pulled into the dehumidifier, these coils play their part in condensing the moisture. Moisture in the form of water droplets is collected in tanks or passed over to the drainage system. The remaining air is reheated before it returns to the atmosphere to maintain a balanced humidity level.
Though reducing high levels of humidity in the basement is one job, there are other roles taken by dehumidifiers as well such as removing unpleasant musky odor in the basement, banishing molds and mildew, and improving indoor air quality. All of these tasks are meant to create a healthier living environment for you.
Points to keep in mind when Choosing the Right Dehumidifier
Capacity and Size:
You can start by determining the square footage of your basement where the dehumidifier has to be placed. Square footage is calculated by measuring the length and width of the respective area with a ruler or by tape measure and then multiplying both to get the resultant value. Using the square footage value can help you determine the right size dehumidifier for your basement.
It's an important step to match the capacity with the size to ensure efficient moisture maintenance. As the square footage increases, the request for a greater capacity dehumidifier rises.
For smaller basements, a basement dehumidifier model with 30-50 pints works well.
For medium-sized basements, a 50-70 pints' dehumidifier works best.
For exceptionally larger basements, a 70-90 or above pints'dehumidifier can handle moisture levels well.
Energy-efficient basement dehumidifier:
Opting for energy-efficient dehumidifiers will not only help save money but also contribute to environmental safety. One way to identify energy-efficient dehumidifiers is that they have ENERGY STAR certification marked on them. Products labeled with ENERGY STAR certification significantly use comparatively less energy that contributes to environmental sustainability after meeting strict guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE).
Drainage system:
Dehumidifiers with built-in reservoirs
These dehumidifiers are equipped with tanks that come in various sizes to store the collected moisture. Depending on how damp your basement gets, or how large is the tank's capacity can help you determine how frequently you should empty the collected water from the tank. They automatically switch off when the tanks get filled up to prevent overflowing of water. Those who wish to see live dehumidifier performance can opt for dehumidifiers with built-in reservoirs.
Self-draining dehumidifiers
These dehumidifiers do not require manual emptying and have a built-in pump system or drainage hose attached that continuously removes the collected water. It is advisable to opt for self-draining dehumidifiers especially when the area gets excessively damp. They provide a hassle-free solution, ensuring both convenience and efficient moisture maintenance.
Add-on features:
Several additional features create distinction among the various basement dehumidifiers. Though they may not be compulsory they happen to create a sense of easiness when using the device. Some of the most popular additional features are:
Automatically dehumidifier shut-off option: Dehumidifiers that are modified with an automatic shut-off option create peace of mind for the house owner. These create convenience for the users when they are not present in the house or are not able to monitor the dehumidifier actively. Sensors are the underlying units that detect and switch off the dehumidifier once water levels have filled up the tank or when the humidity level is achieved. This prevents the overflowing of water from the tank and also helps conserve energy.
Modifiable humidity settings: One of the best dehumidifier features is adjusting humidity settings to enable your desired moisture level in an indoor environment as well as conserve energy. At your comfort, you can reduce humidity levels during the dry season and raise them when mild weather hits to ensure optimal comfort for you and your family.
In essence, installing a basement dehumidifier is an effective solution to overcome high moisture levels along with enhanced indoor air quality. So, if you’re having trouble in your basement, now is the right time to invest in a basement dehumidifier.
Conclusion
There's a better way to seek the answer to "Do you need a dehumidifier in the basement". That is by asking yourself “Are there mold spots on ceilings and wall corners” or "Is my house basement stinking of bad musky odor?" Though you may not like the sound of it, but if this is true, the answer is clear. This is precisely where the need for a basement dehumidifier becomes necessary to ensure a future filled with peace of mind, comfort, and livelihood. Embrace the change. With this device, you are investing in a future where your house is your true sanctuary.