Do Dehumidifiers Really Improve Indoor Air Quality?

Purchasing a dehumidifier sounds like a great idea, mainly because it allows you to focus more on eliminating moisture from the air. As we know, high levels of water in the air can lead to mold, not to mention it can even affect your health as well. With that in mind, the dehumidifier air quality is always better, and there are many benefits that come from purchasing such a product. That’s why we are here to help you identify how/if a dehumidifier can improve the air quality.

The link between humidity and air quality

Relative humidity is seen as the percentage of moisture found in the air which is relative to the maximum water vapor the air can hold at a given temperature. It’s recommended to keep it around 30% to 50% for most living spaces. If it’s under 30%, the air will feel dry, and your respiratory irritation is increased. If it’s over 50% for example, that encourages mold growth, dust mites appear and there’s more condensation. 

How excess humidity affects allergens and respiratory health?

Is it problematic if you have a very high humidity level and it certainly affects your health. Simply put, excess humidity leads to dust mite formation, and mold exposure can also trigger allergic reactions, non-allergic irritation or it can even exacerbate asthma, which is something to take into account here. 
Plus, a high humidity level can lead to airborne particles that settle faster, not to mention it can also contribute to resuspension of settled dust. Plus, a high humidity levels brings unwanted odors, it encourages mold growth, etc. Simply put, this will affect the indoor chemistry, which is something you want to take into consideration. Think about humidity and allergies, and then you will quickly realize that if you live in a place with high humidity, you tend to have way more allergic reactions than normal.

How dehumidifiers improve air freshness and reduce mold?

A dehumidifier is one of those investments that can be very much worth it, since they lower mold appearances, not to mention you will be able to reduce musty odors, reduce condensation or improve the preservation of materials. Once you use a dehumidifier, you will also be able to eliminate most of the dust mite allergens, improve your comfort, while also not dealing with respiratory discomfort anymore, something you have to take into consideration. 
However, there are things that a dehumidifier won’t do. It won’t remove the fine particulates nor will it remove chemical pollutants. It’s also not going to fix any water intrusion, which is crucial to take into account. In the end, it’s just a much better idea to try and use a dehumidifier because it does allow you to lower humidity levels properly. With that being said, you have to be realistic when it comes to expectations and what it can do. It won’t solve all air quality problems, but you will certainly see improvements, and that matters immensely.
If you do acquire a dehumidifier, a very important thing is to check the pints per day or liters per day that it can extract from the room. Also, you may want to check the coverage area, if it has an auto-humidistat as well. And of course, things like the noise levels, drainage options and energy consumption will matter just as much. 

How to monitor humidity and air quality?

These days, monitoring the air quality and humidity is not that difficult. You have a vast array of products you can access, and these are quite impressive to use. A digital hydrometer, smart monitor and moisture meter for materials would be a great option for humidity monitoring. If we talk about tools for air quality monitoring, it does make sense to opt for particle sensors, VOC sensors, but also CO and CO2 sensors or dedicated air quality monitor products, if you want. 

Combining dehumidifiers with air scrubbers or HEPA filtration

You can choose to use a dehumidifier with an air scrubber or even with HEPA filtration systems. The great thing is that all of these will have their benefit. The dehumidifier will reduce the source creating odors and allergens. The HEPA filter will help remove airborne particles, dust, spores and so on. And then, you have the air scrubber that will reduce VOCs and microbes. 
You can opt for configurations that integrate dehumidifiers with the HVAC system, or you can use a dehumidifier with a portable HEPA air purifier. These are totally up to you, and in the end, you will find the experience itself to be one of the top things out there, that’s for sure. 

Simple step-by-step setup guide

• First, the thing you want to do is to identify the target space and also the measure baseline. You can use a hygrometer and then record the RH as well as any spikes that happened over multiple days.
• Then, choose the right dehumidifier from Abestorm. Pick one based on the room size and capacity, temperature conditions, drainage, but also humidistat and other features. Knowing all the details can help immensely, and it will help make the process much easier.
• After you buy the right dehumidifier, you will need to position it around 6-12 inches from the walls or furniture.
• And then, of course, you want to select the target humidity. 45% is healthy indoor humidity, because you can avoid dryness and also mold or dust mites. If you have allergies, 40% to 45% is usually the best option.
• We highly recommend adding a HEPA air purifier in the room, especially if it’s frequented very often.
• As you start doing this, you need to continually monitor and adjust, as it will help keep things under control.
• Naturally, you also want to maintain the unit regularly. Clean the water tank, replace filters, inspect the drip pans and coils, and also service the dehumidifier annually, also do the same for the HVAC as well.

Conclusion

We highly recommend taking your time and finding the right dehumidifier that fits your needs and requirements. Our team at Abestorm is always here to assist, and we provide our customers with consistent, professional results every single time. All you have to do is avail the opportunity, browse our store and pick the right dehumidifier that fits your needs. Rest assured that there’s great value to be had for a variety of pricepoints, depending on your budget!