Will a Dehumidifier Kill Mold?
Will a Dehumidifier Get Rid of Damp?
Dehumidifier is a simple device that will reduce dampness in its surroundings. It will pull in moisture from the air via condensation and release out dry air. The collected water will either be in a reservoir or clear out through a drainage pump. Ideally, the humidity level would fall between 30 – 50 percent that is easy to breathe and will not encourage mold growth.
Will a Dehumidifier Kill Mold?
Dehumidifier does not kill mold but rather stop them from growth by draining the moisture in the air. Mold needs water to grow and a damp room (> 55% humidity) is the perfect environment for them to thrive. With the dehumidifier actively reducing the humidity level in a room, existing mold will fail to grow and expand its territory. As a result, it will indirectly stop future mold and mildew from infesting your home.
To further compliment a dehumidifier work, an air purifier would be perfect to work alongside it. Utilizing a HEPA filter, the air cleaner will capture all the airborne mold that otherwise will be left untouched. This will effectively reduce any inflowing mold and other allergens from continue growing in your home.
How to Choose a Dehumidifier?
Too much moisture can be damaging to your house and health. It will make your home a breeding spot for mold and mildew. Not to mention the awful, musty smell especially in an enclosed area. You will face endless repair costs on building structure that could easily be prevented with a dehumidifier. However, not all dehumidifiers are created equal. some might be extremely capable but expensive while some are just too small, to begin with. If you are hunting for one, please compare each model’s specifications before placing your hard-earned money.
First thing first, the physical size of a dehumidifier is very important in determining the usability of the unit. If you have very limited space e.g. studio room, it is virtually impossible to place a bulky in the center of the room. Next is the dehumidifier performance AKA pint size. A 70-pint will take in more moisture per day than a 30-pint dehumidifier. However, energy consumption will be much higher on a capacity unit. The drainage options are also equally important as well. All dehumidifier comes with a bucket but premium models come with a built-in pump and gravity drainage. Having the later 2 will save you a lot of trips back and forth in emptying the bucket. Finally, make sure the dehumidifier can operate at a low temperature to prevent the compressor from malfunction.
As for functionality, humidity display, timer, auto restart are some of the must-have features. A washable filter with change indicator button is good to have, while multiple fan speed is very helpful if you plan to reduce the operation noise. This plays a significant part if you plan to run a dehumidifier in a bedroom.
Let's start with a brief introduction on what is mold. Mold is a type of fungus that can be found in both indoor and outdoor environments. In small amount especially outdoor, mold is typically harmless to our health. However, if is found in an enclosed area like a basement, breathing into the mold will be detrimental to our health. On short exposure, one might experience cough, breathing trouble, sinus, red eyes, nausea, and even migraine. On prolonged exposure, it may lead to an asthma attack, lung diseases, liver failure, and many types of respiratory problems. Out of the 13 common types of indoor mold, black mold is the most notorious and dangerous type to deal with.
