In the hot summer months, humidity can build up rapidly in your home. This not only can make you uncomfortable and sticky, but can also cause mold and mildew to grow. Additionally, that humidity damages wood floors, musical instruments, etc.
While central air conditioning units can help dehumidify your home, sometimes a little extra help is needed – either for your whole house or just for certain rooms. Here we explore three different types of dehumidifiers and compare them.
Different Types of Dehumidifiers
As mentioned, there are three different types of dehumidifiers. Two of them are portable dehumidifiers that can serve a single room or even smaller area. They are:
- Refrigerant dehumidifier. These suck moisture into the dehumidifiers. The air then flows over a cold evaporator coil which condenses moisture in the air. This condensed moisture drips into a tank. You can dispose of this condensation by emptying the tank or draining it with a hose. However, some newer models have a self-draining system. You can preset the desired humidity level, and some units will automatically shut off once that level is reached.
- Desiccant dehumidifier. Desiccant dehumidifiers draw humid air into a moving rotor containing a moisture-absorbing material (desiccant) such as silica gel. The material absorbs and disposes of the moisture, and the dry air is emitted back into the room. These units do not need to cool the air.
- Whole house dehumidifier. The other option is a whole house dehumidifier that is built into the central HVAC system. These use a refrigerant system to draw warm air into coils, which cool and separate the water droplets and then expel them. The primary advantage of improving your humidity levels is comfort. Since HVAC systems are designed to treat all the air within your home, a whole house dehumidifier helps remove moisture and control relative humidity throughout your entire home.
Comparison
Determining the best ideal dehumidifier for you needs can seem overwhelming. The table below compares the three types of dehumidifiers:
| Portable refrigerant | Portable desiccant | Whole house | |
| Energy consumption | Consume less energy than desiccant dehumidifiers | Consume more energy than refrigerant units | Consume energy as part of HVAC system |
| Moisture extraction | Extract more moisture than desiccant models | Extract less moisture than portable units | Extract more moisture |
| Cold temperature functioning | Do not operate as well in cooler climates | Work best in cooler climates | Work in all climates |
| Portability | Can be moved | Can be moved | Cannot be moved |
| Installation | Professional installation not needed | Professional installation not needed | Professional installation needed |
| Cost | Less expensive than whole house dehumidifiers initially | Less expensive than whole house dehumidifiers initially | More expensive than portable dehumidifiers initially |
| Best for | Rooms kept at a constant moderate temperature | Colder weather | Large residences (as well as commercial and industrial properties) |
| Not good for | Colder weather | Warmer weather, as refrigerant units are more energy efficient | People on a budget |
In conclusion, all three types of dehumidifiers can do what they are supposed to do. While you have to decide which is right for you, in general, if you are going to be in your home for several years, the whole house humidifier is the way to go.
Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric Can “Help You with Dehumidifiers
Ravinia Plumbing’s HVAC professionals can help you select the dehumidifier that is right for you. If you choose a whole house dehumidifier, we can hook it up to your HVAC system. We’ve been in business since 1928 (that’s 95 years!), and we’ve made a name for ourselves as one of the most trusted and reliable HVAC, plumbing, drain and sewer and electrical companies in Chicagoland. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
