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Humidity plays an extremely important role in controlling the number of airborne allergens in your home. The two most common indoor allergens, dust mites and
mold, thrive in warm, humid conditions. But if you keep your relative humidity below 50 percent, you can control the dust mite and
mold spore populations in your home.
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Dehumidifiers regulate humidity by removing moisture from the air, thereby creating living conditions that are inhospitable to dust mites and mold. Traditional
dehumidifiers work much like air conditioners; they cool the air, causing moisture to condense on coils within the machine. The moisture is collected in a drip
pan or bucket for disposal.
Smaller dehumidifiers may work on the principles of convection currents, Peltier technology, or water-adsorbing crystallized
gel. The Air Dryr Portable Dehumidifier silently evaporates moisture using electrical
convection currents. Peltier technology drives the whisper-quiet and energy-efficient Eva-Dry
1100 Petite Dehumidifier, while a crystallized gel adsorbs water from the air in the renewable, compact Eva-Dry Mini
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If you are allergic to dust mites or mold—or if you smell a musty, mildew-like odor in your home, or see condensation on windows, walls, or floors—then
you should consider using a dehumidifier to improve the indoor air quality. Here are some factors to consider when shopping for a dehumidifier:
Moisture Removal Rate
How much water does the dehumidifier remove from the air in a given amount of time? |
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The Santa Fe RX Whole House
Dehumidifier and Santa Fe Basement Dehumidifier are capable of removing 100 pints (12.5 gallons)
of water per day, while some Ebac Industrial Strength Dehumidifiers can remove a whopping 50 gallons of
water per day! Haier Dehumidifiers and Danby
Dehumidifiers remove between 30 and 65 pints per day, depending on the specific model. Our small, portable dehumidifiers, like
the Eva-Dry 1100 Petite Dehumidifier, remove 6 to 20 ounce of water per day, depending on the model.
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Operating Location / Range
Where will you be using your dehumidifier? If you have a mold problem under a sink or in a closet, then the Eva-Dry Mini Dehumidifiers or the
Air Dryr Portable Dehumidifier would be the logical choices for you. But if you need to dehumidify a large area of up to 3,000 feet, then you'll need something more powerful like
the Santa Fe Basement Dehumidifier. Ebac Industrial Strength
Dehumidifiers control humidity in very large areas and extreme conditions, while the Danby Dehumidifiers and
Haier Dehumidifiers are ideal for standard home use.
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Temperature Range
If your dehumidifier is for a basement, garage, crawlspace, or any other area that might get extremely cold during the winter, then you'll want to make sure that
it can operate at low temperatures. Danby Dehumidifiers work in temperatures down to 44°F, while Haier Dehumidifiers have a temperature range down to 41°F. The
Santa Fe Dehumidifiers operate from 55°F to 95°F. Ebac Industrial Strength Dehumidifiers have different ranges depending on the model, but they all work well in low temperatures—and most, like the Ebac CD35 Dehumidifier, work all the way down to 33°F!
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Humidistat
Similar to a thermostat, a humidistat indicates the relative humidity and allows you to adjust it to the desired level. Standard and industrial size dehumidifiers
generally come with built-in adjustable humidistat controls, while the smaller, portable dehumidifiers often times do not. If you need to monitor the relative
humidity in your home, we offer two affordable, high-quality humidity gauges, the Acu-Rite Digital
Humidity Gauge and the Oregon Scientific Humidity Gauge.
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Energy Usage
Like all appliances, different dehumidifiers use different amounts of energy for operation. Unlike most appliances, dehumidifiers often run continuously, so you
may want to consider your utility bill before a buying a dehumidifier. Typical dehumidifiers can use anywhere from 50 to 200 watts. (For comparison sake, a typical
lamp uses about 60 watts, while a typical computer uses about 365 watts). Danby dehumidifiers are energy-star compliant for low energy
costs. The Air Dryr Portable Dehumidifier and the Eva-Dry Renewable Dehumidifiers do not require power for operation.
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Additional Functionality
Some dehumidifiers feature additional functionality. For example, the Danby DDR556RH Silhouette Dehumidifier and Heater is really a 3-in-1 appliance; it's a
dehumidifier, a heater, and a fan. The same dehumidifier also boasts one more function: it comes with a removable air filter that's easy to clean.
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Noise Level
Some people need sufficient background noise to fall asleep, while others do not like hearing an appliance running all the time. The Air Dryr Portable Dehumidifier
and the Eva-Dry Mini Dehumidifiers are completely silently while in operation. The Eva-Dry 1100 Petite Dehumidifiers are quieter than larger units, and the Haier
and Danby dehumidifiers are relatively quiet as our mid-sized models. Larger dehumidifiers like the Santa Fe and Ebac models are louder. If possible, ask for a
demonstration before you purchase a dehumidifier. If you live near the Atlanta area, we'd be glad to give you a demonstration in our showroom.
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Ease of Use
Most modern dehumidifiers were designed to be user friendly. Danby dehumidifiers, for example, feature electronic controls, a remote control, fully adjustable
humidity settings, an auto de-icer, an auto-restart feature, a removable, easy-to-clean air filter, and a direct drain option for continuous operation. Look for
these options to make your life easier: Water Level Control (to prevent overflow), Full Tank Light (to let you know when it's time to empty the tank), Drainage
(so you don't have to worry about emptying the tank), Anti-Frost Sensor (or Auto De-Icer, to keep the dehumidifier from freezing up), and portability. Most of our
larger, heavier dehumidifiers come with wheels or casters for easy portability.
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Manufacturer's Reputation
A manufacturer's reputation and the experiences of past customers deserve consideration in your decision. Certain manufacturers and products are highly respected
in the industry for a reason—and the same goes for products which have garnered less respect. Check out our customer reviews.
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Warranty
A one-year warranty is a good one. A five-year warranty is even better! Take into
account what the warranty covers—motor, fan, electrical components? Also, find out if certain customer actions will void the warranty.
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