When You Might Require a Basement Dehumidifier

A basement should truly be a dry area if it is constructed properly with adequate ventilation and air conditioning. But many basements are particularly prone to dampness because of their poor design and ventilation. For basments that are used to store old clothing, books, and things of this nature, these damp conditions are a prime breeding ground for mold spores and mildew.

Windows humidity level of your basement goes over the 50% mark, the water that is in your can begin to make your furniture warp, allow condensation buildup on the walls, and allow fungus to proliferate. The moisture in the air will also accelerate wood rot. For those family members with allergies, a basement dehumidifier is crucial to lessen the health risks linked to toxic mold and fungus.
It is important that you try to find out what the underlying cause of these high humidity is before you go out and purchase a basement dehumidifier. There really shouldn't be that much of a difference between the temperature of your basement and the temperature of the rest of the house, as it shouldn't have its own temperatures zone. Adding weatherstripping to any of the windows and doors in your basement might help a little. If the basement is uninsulated, you'll have to weigh the costs of adding insulation against that of running a basement dehumidifier.

You will need to do a little bit of research before buying any basement dehumidifier. Know the cubic footage of the basement space that it will be going into. There is also the decision on whether you want to get a permanently installed unit or if you want to settle for a portable dehumidifier. You are also going to need to figure out whether the dehumidifier that you want will fit into your allotted space for it. Also be aware that some models are noisier than others, so ask for a demonstration before you buy.

A dehumidifier works on the same principle that refrigerators and air conditioners do. They pass the humid air over a bank of cold coils and in the process extract a good portion of the moisture via condensation. The condensation then drips into a collection bucket which is located inside the unit. This process slightly elevates the temperature of the air after the moisture is extracted from it and it is then blown back into the room.

A lot of people forget to maintain their basement dehumidifier as it is out of sight and out of mind. It is important to empty and clean the collection container inside the unit every so often, otherwise it will be prone to bacterial growth. Some of the different manufacturers of basement dehumidifiers actually came up with a way to do away with the collection bucket by using a hose which could be run to a drain in the basement thereby making them virtually maintenance free.