If you want to have an allergen-free, dust-free, and pest-proof home, you should use a dehumidifier in your home. A dehumidifier helps with efficient air conditions function. Does a dehumidifier all of a good? No, there has seven known disadvantages of a dehumidifier.
Disadvantages or Cons of a dehumidifier are –
- Produces noise.
- Adds or produces heat in the room.
- Increases utility bills.
- Required regular maintenance.
- Increases dry air in the room.
- Costly
- Premature failure in functioning.
I hope you get the basics Cons of a dehumidifier in real quick. In this article, I am going to elaborate on all of them. Along with disadvantages, I will share the core pros of using a dehumidifier and when you need or do not need it in your home.
Cons Or Disadvantages Of A Dehumidifier
Humidifiers are used to increase the humidity level of a room, whereas a dehumidifier is used to reduce the humidity level of a room. However, it has some drawbacks that you will face during running. I will try to solve these issues within a minute at the same time. Let us go deep into them –
1. Produces Noise
Like other electronic devices, the dehumidifier makes a humming noise at a low speed. The decibel level varies from 30 dB (whisper-quiet) to 50 dB (normal conversation) at higher speeds. If you put your dehumidifier in your bedroom or family room, 30 or 50 dB might be an issue while sleeping.
However, some people love to have dehumidifier sooting noise for better sleeping.
If your humidifier has poor build quality, it will produce more abnormal sounds in the room while running. Besides, the compressor humidifiers make more noise than desiccant humidifiers.
What Are The Solutions For The Above Problems
- To lessen the decibel level, you can lower the speed and run it long-term. It would be a better practice than running it at a higher speed.
- You can buy a desiccant humidifier, but it is a little pricier than a compressor dehumidifier.
- If you have to use it in your bedroom or restroom, get your first wall-mounted dehumidifier instead of placing it in the basement. Wall-mounted dehumidifiers reduce the noise level. A basement dehumidifier produces lots of noise than a wall-mounted dehumidifier.
- Before buying a dehumidifier, you should learn how much it produces during working. If possible, you can test it by running it.
2. Adds Or Produces Heat In The Room
The back of the dehumidifier releases hot air that warms the room. So, you can put the dehumidifier back towards the doorway. Thus, hot air will be blown out outside of your home.
Little note: Warm air is helpful for the winter season. But some people have well-insulated rooms, and they would like to live with their room temperature. A dehumidifier will not be convenient for them.
As you know, there has two types of dehumidifier – desiccant and compressor. Compressor dehumidifiers less warm the room, whereas desiccant dehumidifiers warm significantly. A desiccant dehumidifier releases air 10-12 degrees centigrades warmer than the air goes in.
If you live in a location where cold weather remains almost all year, you should buy a dehumidifier to reduce your heating bill.
What Are The Solutions For The Above Problems
- I have said previously that a desiccant dehumidifier produces less noise but more warm air. If you would like to have a desiccant dehumidifier, you should position the back of the unit towards the doorway.
- If you would like to have a compressor dehumidifier, mount it on the wall. Why? Because mounting it on the wall reduces noise though it produces less warm air than a desiccant dehumidifier.
3. Increases Utility Bills
Typically a 70-pint dehumidifier costs 10 dollars energy bill every month. Many people keep their dehumidifiers on 24/7. The cost will be the same if you ever run a 35-pint dehumidifier for 2x more time than a 70-pint one.
I have found that the cheaper dehumidifier increases the electricity bill almost 100% more. I know owning a premium dehumidifier is expensive for the first time, but that will not be costlier in the long run.
A cheaper dehumidifier seems inexpensive, but you will face repair costs and electricity bills almost twice times higher.
If you live in a hot area, you may not require to keep the dehumidifier running all the time. You will save money.
What Are The Solutions For The Above Problems
- You have to buy a premium brandable energy-efficient dehumidifier to shrug off this disadvantage.
- You can switch off the dehumidifier when the moisture level decreases at the desirable point.
4. Required Regular Maintenance
There has two maintenance you must follow when you own a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier collect water in a water tank. Depending on your dehumidifier’s model and room dampness, you have to empty the tank daily or weekly.
The second one is, you have to clean the filter of your dehumidifier. Why? Because it will be a reservoir palace for bacteria and other pathogens. So, you have to clean and replace it following the user manual. These tasks are time-consuming and painful to me.
What Are The Solutions For The Above Problems
- You can buy a dehumidifier that has a pre-installed drain hose. So, you do not require to empty the tank regularly.
- Keep in mind, “the more care you do, the more service you will get.”
5. Increases Dry Air In The Room
We use humidifiers in our room to protect us from skin rashes, dry skin, nose bleeding, comfortable breathing, last furniture for a long time, etc. On the other hand, a dehumidifier constantly reduces the moisture level of our home. And if we run it continuously, the moisture level will be lower than the standard (30 to 50% humidity).
That means a dehumidifier increases dry air in the room. The dry air is severe with pneumonia and eczema. So, I never suggest buying it for people with pneumonia or eczema.
What Are The Solutions For The Above Problems
- If you live in a hot climate or desert area, I suggest you not buy a dehumidifier.
- Again, do not keep it running for 24 hours.
6. Costly
Buying a dehumidifier is an investment. But a dehumidifier is worth the money if it works better and/or you pick the right one. A desiccant dehumidifier is a little pricier than a compressor dehumidifier.
I classed the cost as a disadvantage of a dehumidifier because many consumers do not pick the right one.
What Should You Do To Escape The Cons Of A Dehumidifier
- The best way to read a buying guide.
- Read what the experts are saying about any dehumidifier efficiency.
- Read user reviews on amazon, Walmart, BestBuy, etc.
7. Premature Failure In Functioning
The original reason for premature failure in functioning is still unknown to me. Early failure is pretty common in cheaper materials and, worse built-in dehumidifiers.
What Is The Solution
- Again read the user reviews on the internet to get the whole idea in a nutshell about any particular dehumidifier.
When Should You Not Use A Dehumidifier?
You should not use a dehumidifier when your room humidity level is 30%. A dehumidifier reduces the humidity level, and below 30% humidity, you will face hiccough, sneezing, dyspnea, skin rashes, etc. Besides, if you live in a hot area, you should not use a dehumidifier because it will increase the intensity of warmness.
Alternatives to Dehumidifier
There are two easy and cheaper alternatives to a dehumidifier. I have mentioned all disadvantages of a dehumidifier above. Now, you might be wondering why I should use a dehumidifier. You have to buy a dehumidifier if you live in a damp and moist environment. Here are two alternatives to a dehumidifier –
- Keep open your ventilation. Dry air can enter your room and reduce the moisture level. You should not keep your ventilation open during winter because the cold and damp air will increase the humidity. As this method has weather constraints, you should use a dehumidifier.
- Remove the wet clothes, towels from your room. These damp materials increase the humidity of your room. But maintaining damp objects removal is an arduous task, so we recommend using a dehumidifier in your room.
What Does A Dehumidifier Do?
A dehumidifier separates moisture from the air. As a result, the humidity level decreases when you run a dehumidifier in your home. It will help people with asthma, respiratory disease, control pests and mold in the room. We will deep dive into the advantages of dehumidifiers.
Advantages Or Pros Of A Dehumidifier
The evolution of dehumidifiers is an ongoing process. From 1902s, the primary purpose of using a dehumidifier is to reduce the home’s humidity level. With that advantage, a dehumidifier has both active and passive pros. Let’s begin –
1. It Reduces Allergy Symptoms And Asthma
In 2013, people used to use a dehumidifier to treat chronic asthma. When the air has high humidity, it becomes difficult to breathe for people with asthma. However, in low humidity, your inspiration and expiration become easier.
A dehumidifier helps with reducing wheezing, sneezing, coughing, and skin itching. In high humidity, molds, dust mite, bacteria grow and procreate. They are terrible allergens for allergic symptoms.
2. It Increases Comfort
We know humidity means how much vapor is present in the air. Right! Typically our body emits sweat to the atmosphere that accumulates in the skin. If there has a high moisture level, the body can not evaporate sweat into the air. So, we feel anxious and hotter.
A dehumidifier decreases the humidity level of your home. So, your body can quickly get rid of sweat in the air, and you will feel comfortable.
Meteorologists named this term – “heat index.”
3. Reduces The Risk Of Brain Disease
According to NBCNews, a hot environment and high humidity are dangerous for human health. It can affect the brain of you and your pet animals.
4. Stops Breeding Of Mold, Mildew, Dust Mite
A warm and moist environment helps develop molds, mildew. According to Healthline research, mold and dust mites need 65% relative humidity to grow faster. You can manage relative humidity levels by using a dehumidifier. When you lessen the humidity level, molds will not grow and survive in a low humid environment.
5. Keep Your Home Appliances Safe From Rust And Decay
Again, I have to say, high-humidity is terrible for your home structure. Excess humidity in a room decays roof, wall, doors, window, I mean everywhere.
The metals exposed to excessive humidity are prone to rust by accumulating droplets on them. So, to keep your home appliances safe from rust and decay, you should lower the humidity level by using a dehumidifier.
6. Reduce Dust In The Room
Dust is present in the air. A dehumidifier pulls the air from the environment. Then it pushes this air to the purification filter. The dust, bacteria, and molds are separated from the air at that time. On the other hand, a humidifier can reduce the dust present in the air by settling them down to the earth.
7. Deters Pests
Did you know before that your home’s high moisture level can attract some insects? Yes, the high humidity attracts insects. So, you should use a dehumidifier in your home to control pests. Why should you do this? Insects are the vectors of different pathogens. For instance – sandflies are the vector of leishmaniasis.
8. Helps With Functioning A Dehumidifier Efficiently
As dehumidifiers reduce the moisture level of your room, A/C does not require to work double-time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Do I Know If I Need A Humidifier Or Dehumidifier?
These are common signs that you need a humidifier or dehumidifier –
| Humidifier | Dehumidifier |
| Rashes on the skin. | Muggy air and damp odor in the room. |
| Nosebleeding in the night, allergy flare-up. | Allergies flare up or remain year after year. |
| Dry throat and hay fever symptoms. | Increase in silverfish, moths, spiders, and other insects in your home. |
| Congestion of sinus. | Coughing or other respiratory illness. |
| Dry air in the room. | Water leakage in the room after rainfall. |
How Long Should You Run A Dehumidifier?
The recommendation is – you should at least run a dehumidifier 12 hours a day. However, it varies depending on the dampness of the room, machine capacity. If your room is too damp, you must run it for more than 12 hours. You should not keep it running when your room’s humidity level is 30%.
Will The Dehumidifier Cool A Room?
Normal users say the dehumidifier cools a room while other HVAC engineers say it does not. A dehumidifier does not cool a room, but it reduces moisture levels. So, our body can evaporate sweat into the air, and we feel cool.
Can A Dehumidifier Be Harmful?
A dehumidifier can not be harmful until you run it 24/7, even when your room humidity is below 30%. Below 30% humidity, the air is dry and harmful to people with pneumonia and asthma. Running a dehumidifier for 24 hours increases your electricity bill.
How Many Types Of Dehumidifiers Do There Have?
I have mentioned it earlier. There have two types of dehumidifiers – desiccant and compressor. A desiccant dehumidifier is expensive, which is the primary disadvantage of it. Conversely, a compressor dehumidifier is inexpensive and produces less warmth. So, if you have a well-insulated room, you can use a compressor dehumidifier.
Conclusion
My last word is – advantages triumph over disadvantages of a dehumidifier. To avoid disadvantages, you have to follow some instructions like – run it until you get your desired humidity level, do not run it too faster, keep the back of the unit towards the doorway, buy a premium brandable dehumidifier.
You can get a hygrometer to determine the humidity level of your room. The hygrometer shows you when the humidity is below 30% or above 50%.
