If you want a hassle-free home, then buy a dehumidifier. But if your house is already pretty good and only has the occasional damp spot on the floor or mildew in an unused closet, it might not be worth the investment.
However, if you’ve got mold and leaks that need fixing, investing in a dehumidifier could save you some serious cash in repairs. The answer will depend on what kind of maintenance level you’re currently at with your current humidity levels. To find out more about how this works and whether or not buying a dehumidifier would benefit your situation specifically, read our suggestions.
Is it too humid?
First up, if your home is damp at all times of the year, then you may want to think about investing in a dehumidifier. Suppose you’ve ever felt the clammy sensation that comes along with having to use a hairdryer or air conditioning when it’s only 75 outside. In that case, this is an essential indicator that there could be excessive moisture trapped indoors. This trapped humidity can cause problems like mold and mildew growth, which will make your house smell musty, potentially contribute to allergies and even lead to certain types of wood rot. Buy home dehumidifier can help remove excess moisture from your home, so these issues don’t start popping up.
Does mold concern you?
Mold can be caused by excessive moisture. A dehumidifier removes this excess humidity, so mold doesn’t have enough opportunity to grow and multiply. So if you are concerned about ever having a mold problem, then getting a dehumidifier is an effective way to prevent it in the first place. Not only that, but some homeowners opt for buying a dehumidifier simply for its odor removal capabilities!
Do you have allergies?
Allergies seem to get worse when there is higher humidity in your home due to the more frequent presence of dust mites and pollen (both common allergens). Dehumidifiers help out here because they will reduce both of these factors by lowering indoor humidity levels.
Will it be worth the investment?
Before jumping into buying a dehumidifier, you’ll need to consider some factors. First, are there any humidity levels below which you would not consider using? What about the maintenance factor? If you don’t want to do anything more than flip a switch on and off each day, this may not be an issue for you. But if it seems like too much of a hassle, then remember that other models require less upkeep or no daily attention at all. Some even come with programmable timers so they can kick on in the evening before bedtime (when mold is most likely to start growing) and shut off again when the air is dry and unpleasant in the morning.
How much do they cost?
The most basic dehumidifiers cost anywhere from $80 to $100, and more complex models can be as high as $400 on average. As far as how long one will last, that depends on the size of the unit and how often it runs-the bigger ones will last longer than smaller ones that run more frequently.
