How does a dehumidifier improve air quality?
The air quality inside your living and working spaces has a significant impact on your health and well-being. As a measure of contamination, air quality is affected by a range of environmental and industrial factors, including
pollution from public and private vehicles and natural contaminants such as dust, dirt, and sand.
Compromised external conditions often lead to poor air quality within residential and commercial spaces. Contamination may also come from inside your home or place of work, including smoke, water damage, dust, and operational equipment. Excessive moisture or ‘humidity’ in the air is also a common – and potentially dangerous – form of air contamination.
A dehumidifier helps to reduce poor air quality, furniture and carpet water damage, and structural problems related to excessive moisture.
Moisture in the air – a cause of concern
Moisture is a chief cause of concern in many homes and workplaces. While moisture itself does not adversely affect air quality, it does create a compromised environment for people and property. Moisture can result from renovations and damaged pipes. It also occurs as the result of natural environmental humidity. Water evaporates into the air and causes moisture, with condensation and trapped moisture often causing damage over time.
Mould can create airborne particles, some of which may carry allergens or chemicals that can cause respiratory issues. These particles may combine with existing chemicals in the air to create volatile organic compounds. Water damage from broken pipes and renovations often leads to mould – dehumidifiers help to keep the air clean by minimising the build-up of these potentially dangerous particles.
The benefits of removing humidity
A dehumidifier is the ideal way to manage poor air quality in the home or workplace. This simple electrical appliance takes in natural moist air, removes moisture, and releases clean and dry air back into the environment. Over time, moisture in the air can be very bad for human inhabitants, reduce the lifespan of physical belongings, and affect the structural integrity of property assets.
There are several benefits to the dehumidification process, including a more comfortable living environment, reduced heating and cooling costs, and a reduction in mould, mildew, pests, and allergens. Along with their numerous benefits to human inhabitants, dehumidifiers also help to safeguard belongings, protect building materials, and prevent structural problems.
If you have poor air quality, unwanted pests and allergens, or a compromised immune system, a dehumidifier can help to make your interior space cleaner, healthier, and more comfortable. Dehumidifiers help to improve air quality by clearing the air of allergens and significantly reducing the risk of skin irritants and respiratory issues caused by moisture.
Dehumidifiers also help to reduce odours from interior living spaces, and they are capable of eliminating many of the other problems that can result from excessive moisture. They also help food to last longer, clothes to dry faster, and metallic objects and surfaces to avoid damage from corrosion.
Types of dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are used for reducing humidity and improving overall air quality. The dehumidification process converts wet air to dry and cool air in a similar way to refrigeration or air conditioning. Huge dehumidifiers are often used commercially to purify large spaces. This technology is also available in smaller sizes for private homes, and it will work quietly in the background without causing disruption.
Dehumidifiers are typically categorised as either desiccant dehumidifiers or compressor dehumidifiers.
Desiccant dehumidifier
Desiccant dehumidifiers extract moisture in a similar way to a sponge or silica gel material. They have a desiccant wheel that’s responsible for extracting the air and an inbuilt heater to increase operating time. While desiccant dehumidifiers are ideal for both warmer and colder climates, they offer a superior standard of performance in spaces with lower temperatures but high humidity.
The desiccant dehumidifier is further categorised as disposable, rechargeable, full-size consumer-grade, or commercial dehumidifiers. The first three categories are well-loved by consumers for their ability to significantly improve air quality. Commercial desiccant dehumidifiers are popular for industrial use due to their ability to remove water from both air and materials.
Compressor Dehumidifier
Compressor dehumidifiers have been the default option for many years. They use a condensation mechanism to remove moisture, passing air over a refrigerated coil in order to cool it and separate the water content. Compressor dehumidifiers help to maintain the natural room temperature, so they are recommended for warmer climates. They will not reheat the air, and are generally bulkier than desiccant dehumidifiers.
Where to get a dehumidifier?
Dehumidifiers are more popular and accessible than ever. Multiple options are available in electrical appliance stores or through online retailers. Prices vary considerably depending on the model, the technology used, the power rating, and how much air they are designed to purify. Along with buying a dehumidifier outright, you can also look to hire or lease advanced dehumidifier technology from a leading indoor air quality company.
There are several dehumidifiers available for purchase or rent in Australia, with manufacturers releasing different models and technologies each year. When comparing models, along with purchase and lease agreements, it’s important to select a dehumidifier based on the intended application, the size of the space, the operating environment, the natural temperature, and the overall cost.