What Does a Dehumidifier Do?

Allergies and breathing problems can often be reduced simply by cutting down on the ambient humidity in the air. There are several different types of dehumidifiers and dehumidifying agents and they all work to make the air in your home more comfortable.

Function

Dehumidifiers reduce the amount of moisture in the air. This helps prevent condensation, mold and mildew in the home.

Mechanical/Refrigerative

The most-common type of dehumidifier uses a refrigerated coil to condense the air and collect the resulting water in a basin. The air is then reheated and blown back into the atmosphere.

Desiccative

A desiccative dehumidifier contains a material like silica gel, which absorbs moisture from the air as it passes by. This type does not work well in humid climates because the desiccant material becomes saturated too quickly.

Air Conditioners

Modern air conditioners function as dehumidifiers when cooling down the air in a home. Some models have a drain that releases the condensed water outside while others have a fan that evaporates the water and blows it back into the air.

Considerations

The water that collects in a dehumidifier can be re-used to irrigate the yard. It is not clean enough to drink and should not be used on vegetables or other edible plants.