This is a very commonly asked (because many people are wondering) question.
The difference is how they function. If the air in your room is too dry, a humidifier helps to add moisture to the air to increase the humidity level in your room. On the other hand, If the air is too humid, a dehumidifier works to remove excess moisture.
For comfort or for medical reasons, some people may prefer a level of humidity in their room that they feel right. However, to maintain a room humidity can be a challenge.
Ask a Humidity Control Expert
How do you decide which type you will need? Well, other than personal preference, an expert’s advice can be useful. They can help to better assess your room humidity and to figure out the best air quality solutions for you.
Too much humidity causes discomfort to your house, making it a breeding ground for mildew and mold leading to health issues. Also, too little humidity is not good for you. You may have chapped lips or even your wooden furniture gets cracks. You need to take measurements of your home’s humidity level with hygrometer so that you may take necessary action.
Dehumidifier is used in places where there is an excess of humidity. It is a machine used to pull this excess moisture from the air. It is caused by water infiltration into the home which may be as a result of leakages, insufficient ventilation where there is no flow of air such that excess moisture gets out of the house. This is evident when there is growth of mildew or mold in places like bathroom or at the basements.
You will need dehumidifier to take this humidity out of your place because it can bring health problems to you. You need to look for the right place to put your dehumidifier. This strategic place should be where the moisture problem is the greatest. This place can be located by looking at the most affected area by mildew and mold. You will find that even there is a bad smell in these areas.
Most probable places would be basement and upstairs bedrooms. You need to place you dehumidifiers in this places so that they can drive away all the excess moisture. You will have to take safety measurements when doing this task. This is because, when dehumidifier is close to water masses or when in a location where water is running like bathroom or basement, electrocution can happen. This effect can cause fire and can lead to damages. Therefore you will have to take care when doing this task.
You don’t need to use it near thermostat, this is because, and they blow out warm air and can be a great danger. At least there should be a 3 foot circumference of open space for it to work well. You need to read manual before using your dehumidifier so that you may be conversant with it.
Even though most of dehumidifier come with a place where water is collected from, you can modified it so that all water is drained into a sink, toilet, and container or in a field somewhere. You need to place the dehumidifier in a place where it is above the drain in order to function well. You need to empty your dehumidifier now and then so that it may function well and run efficiently without any difficulties. This will depend on the size of your space and the amount of moisture you are dealing with.
