CFW provides home dehumidifiers to control moisture and create a comfortable and healthy environment. We offer several makes of units of both the refrigerant and desiccant kinds.

Relative Humidity (RH) is the amount of water vapour present in air compared to its moisture-carrying capacity. The optimum RH for human health and comfort is approximately 50%. Air conditioners are not the ideal solution as they usually control temperature by means of a thermostat, which means that they will switch off and thus not control humidity once the desired temperature has been achieved. Furthermore, their energy use is typically considerably higher given the size of the space involved.

Selecting a dehumidifier

The moisture extraction rate and efficiency of the dehumidifier are always important factors. Larger dehumidifiers remove moisture faster and operate for shorter periods (the humidistat will determine whether they are to operate at any given time). They may be more efficient, so it is often best to have excess capacity.

If you are using a dehumidifier in a warmer, more humid climate (typically above 20°C), a refrigeration type dehumidifier would normally work best, whereas for colder, drier environments (typically below 20°C), a desiccant type dehumidifier is more effective (particularly if you have damp problems that occur mainly in winter).

The tank size indicates how much water the dehumidifier can store before it switches off. Dehumidifiers generally indicate this with a “full tank” warning light. To avoid emptying the tank too frequently, purchase a unit with a larger tank or use continuous drainage.

The placement of the dehumidifier is further factor to be taken into account. Some can be wall-mounted, and certain units are more portable than others. Desiccant dehumidifiers are typically more portable than refrigerative ones.

Additional considerations to take into account are how quietly the unit operates, as well as possible extra features such as built-in air purifiers and ionisers, anti-frost, auto shut-off on full tank, operational timer, auto-start after power failures, multi-speed fan, laundry mode for clothes drying, drainage pump.

Operating Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers should preferably be operated in closed spaces, so keep doors and windows closed. The unit should ideally be placed close to the ground, such that the dry air discharge blows to the opposite end of the room. Observe all the manufacturer’s warnings regarding electrical safety – in particular, do not set up water drainage near electrical circuits or devices.