If you live in a very humid or moist environment, for example, in the south or in areas that do not receive much sunlight because of high trees, it may be necessary to have a dehumidifier. High humidity results in the growth of mold and mildew, and this will be a bad thing for your house or your health. Following is a guide to getting the right dehumidifier for your needs.

Types of Dehumidifiers

There are dehumidifiers made for basements and other areas of the home. The perfect dehumidifier should take in a lot of moisture. There are two basic types of dehumidifiers: refrigerative types work by pulling moist air over a refrigerated coil by a small fan. The other type is dessicantive. This type of dehumidifier utilizes a dessicant material to force the air to dehumidify.

There are a few things to consider when you are ready to purchase a dehumidifier. You will want it to have a water catching container that is easy to empty; a washable air filter for easy cleaning; an on/off switch; understandable controls; a decent capacity; and be cost efficient. The most important consideration, however, is capacity. You will want to be sure the dehumidifier you purchase has the capacity to eliminate as much moisture as possible.

Price

Dehumidifiers may be quite pricey, depending on the size of your home. You will need a standing model in a basement, and possibly in a crawlspace. Most standing dehumidifiers will cost in excess of $200 and up to over $3,000. This is because they are made specifically to remove a certain amount of moisture in the air. On the other side of the spectrum, you can purchase a $69.00 portable dehumidifier that can be used for a small room like the office, or put in a bathroom. It is not meant to remove a large amount of moisture, but it can be good in a small space. Visit www.wize.com/dehumidifiers for additional information on models and prices

Designs

Designs of dehumidifiers are quite similar. Just about all that will be placed in a basement or room at home will be standing models. Some will be rounder, and others rectangular. Some may have some unique shapes. You can see the many dehumidifier models at www.wize.com/dehumidifiers.

Ratings

You can find ratings and reviews of dehumidifers. The consumer website www.wize.com/dehumidifiers is a nice place to start. The site figures out an overall score to each item based on numerous reviews, so you will get a quick sense of what product is recommended highly.

Technical Specifications

Technical specifications will vary according to the capacity of the dehumidifier. A $350 machine will remove approximately 65 pints of water in 24 hours. It dehumidifies a room of approximately 1,300 square feet. A model in this price range is believed to have a high capacity and good performance rating. It might also have touchpad controls, with a digital display of temperature and humidity. It will have a washable filter and easy access for water removal.

Where to Shop

Dehumidifiers can be purchased in major home supply stores, such as Home Depot or Lowe’s. You can first see the full line of dehumidifiers online, which most often offers the best pricing. You can compare price, model and capacities so that you know which model is optimal for your home needs.

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