Dehumidifiers function by reducing the amount of humidity in a room. A dehumidifier can come in handy during humid seasons.
While there are numerous benefits linked to using dehumidifiers, here is a list of some of the disadvantages linked to using or owning a dehumidifier.
While there are many advantages associated with using dehumidifiers around your home, there are a few disadvantages associated with improper use of a dehumidifier. You should ensure that you use your dehumidifier effectively to get the full range of its benefits.
Most of the disadvantages of using a dehumidifier are linked to issues related to cost, noise, need for maintenance, risk of mold growth in cases where the water in the dehumidifier is not emptied. Some people may also experience additional noise production depending on the type of dehumidifier that they get.
Modern dehumidifiers have been designed with noise reduction technologies, which ensure that you get to enjoy the benefit of having a dehumidifier in your home while at the same time avoiding high noise levels.
In this post we will cover the following disadvantages of using a dehumidifier
- Failing to address the source of the problem
- Need for maintenance
- Warm/Hot
- Noisy
- A surge in your electricity bills
- It can be a source of mold and bacteria
- The water in the dehumidifier is not safe
- Bulky
- Cost
- Makes the air dry and can make you sick
Continue reading to learn more about the disadvantages of using a dehumidifier in your home.
Disadvantages of Using a Dehumidifier
Failing to Address the Source of the Problem
While dehumidifiers are effective in getting rid of excess humidity in a room, they often fail to address the source of the problem.
For instance, if you are living in a home filled with mold and moldy smells, using a dehumidifier is only a temporary solution as it does not address the actual problem.
Understanding the factors contributing to the accumulation of mold in your home can help you determine the best way of resolving the problem.
Common problems contributing to excessive humidity in a house include the type and quality of construction material, insulation used, a leaking water pipe between your walls, poor roofing that might contribute to the dripping of rainwater on your ceiling, and other issues of similar nature.
Need for Maintenance
Dehumidifiers like any other house appliance that you might own require proper maintenance to ensure that they function properly.
Poor maintenance could affect the quality of your dehumidifier and contribute to a surge in your electricity bill. It could also limit the lifespan of your product.
Not cleaning your dehumidifier occasionally, could leave you susceptible to airborne contaminants that might be re-released into your environment instead of being trapped in the dehumidifier’s filters. As such, they might require maintenance every now and then to optimize their functionality.
Commercial/heavy-duty or industry-based dehumidifiers are likely to require more maintenance when compared to household dehumidifiers.
Commercial dehumidifiers are effective for lowering humidity levels to approximately 50%RH and at a 15oC/59oF temperature. Since these dehumidifiers are heavy-duty, they require constant maintenance.
Some of the maintenance considerations that you should keep in mind whether you are using a commercial or home-based dehumidifier include changing the air filters, employing the water can, cleaning the exhaust grilles and the water container.
If you are using a commercial-grade dehumidifier, which might be more complicated than a household-based dehumidifier, you might need to consult a professional to help you with the maintenance work.
Warm/Hot
Dehumidifiers produce heat naturally. The heat generated by dehumidifiers will continuously radiate out of the unit as the dehumidifier draws in moisture from the air.
The heat produced by dehumidifiers can raise the temperature in your home. This can be uncomfortable during summer or when there is a heatwave.
Noisy
Dehumidifiers can be quite noisy. Like refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, hairdryers, and other home appliances, most dehumidifiers are quite noisy. If you have some of these home appliances, the noise level produced by dehumidifiers might not necessarily bother you.
Some of the factors contributing to the noise produced by dehumidifiers include the type of compressors used, the location of the exhaust and the grille for taking in air, and the CFM level.
Some dehumidifiers are noisier than others because of the type, design, and size of the compressors used. Modern dehumidifiers tend to have compressors that are less noisier than older models.
The location of the fan exhaust also determines the level of noise that will be produced by the dehumidifier. The fan exhaust can either be placed on the side of the top section of the dehumidifier.
In dehumidifiers that have a top fan exhaust, the noise is usually masked. Dehumidifiers that have a fan exhaust at the side are usually much noisier because the noise from the fan is more directional.
In terms of the location of the grilles, in most dehumidifiers, the grille is placed at the back to reduce the noise it produces.
The noise produced by the grille is bearable in household dehumidifiers. In industry-grade dehumidifiers, the level of noise might be slightly higher. The higher the CFM the greater the noise of the wind.
When choosing a dehumidifier, it is important to note that desiccant dehumidifiers are less noisy when compared to compressor dehumidifiers.
It is also important to consider that while desiccant dehumidifiers are less noisy, they consume more electricity and are generally pricier than compressor-based dehumidifiers.
A Surge in Your Electricity Bills
Depending on how you use your dehumidifier, you might notice a surge in your electricity bills. If you use your dehumidifier for 24 hours daily throughout the year, you are more likely to note a steep increase in your electricity bill than someone who would use the dehumidifier for 5 hours a day during summer and winter.
The dehumidification process entails drawing warm air currents from its surrounding into its coils through a fan. The dehumidifier then condenses the warm air collected to form water. A dehumidifier works in the same manner as a refrigerator or an air conditioner.
Averagely, a dehumidifier of 70-pint will increase your electricity bill by $10 a month. If you choose a 30-pint dehumidifier, you are likely to incur fewer expenses monthly because a 30-pint dehumidifier would consume less electricity.
It Can Be a Source of Mold and Bacteria
A dehumidifier can be a source of mold and bacteria. While dehumidifiers are supposed to remove humidity from the air as a way of preventing the growth of mold, they can also contribute to the growth of mold.
If a dehumidifier is not employed and cleaned regularly, the collected water that is being transformed from the humidity from the air can contribute to the growth of mold.
Since the water is collected progressively over time and the water container might take some time to fill up, not emptying it can give mold a conducive environment to multiply. The water might also contain other types of bacteria that had been expelled into the air.
Mold spores are common triggers for asthma attacks and respiratory-related allergies. As such, allowing the water to accumulate for a long time in the dehumidifier before employing it could potentially result in increased risks of asthmatic attacks and respiratory diseases.
The Water in the Dehumidifier is Not Safe
The water collected by dehumidifiers is not safe and should not be consumed by a person or a pet. The water collected by dehumidifiers contains a wide variety of bacteria and viruses. If the water container is not emptied occasionally, the water might also contain mold spores.
You should dispose of the water well and ensure that young children or pets do not drink the water. Drinking the water could contribute to increased risks of different diseases.
It is common for people to assume that the water collected by dehumidifiers is safe because the collection process entails a distillation process.
While the mechanism of the water collection process is safe, the duration that the water stays in the container and its continued exposure to bacteria and mold make it unsafe for consumption.
Bulky
Most dehumidifiers are bulky and can mess with the general aesthetics of your room. You should remember that most manufacturers consider the functionality of their dehumidifiers a priority and thus rarely focus on aesthetics.
They are likely to stand out regardless of where you will place them. If you are concerned about the aesthetics of your room, you should consider a dehumidifier that is white and box-shaped to ensure it does not draw much attention.
Cost
The actual cost of buying a dehumidifier can also be classified as a disadvantage because of its financial implication, especially when you want a whole-house dehumidifier. This can be challenging especially when someone is looking for a premium budget-friendly dehumidifier.
A good dehumidifier can be quite expensive. Some of the factors that determine the cost of a dehumidifier include its type, capacity or size, energy efficiency, surface area to be covered, brand, and additional features.
If your dehumidifier is supposed to cover a large area or if you need an industry-grade dehumidifier, you might have to direct more funds towards its purchase.
Similarly, if you are looking for a big dehumidifier that is energy efficient and is being sold by one of the renowned brands in the market, you might have to cough up more money than you anticipated.
Makes the Air Dry and Can Make You Sick
Dehumidifiers can make the air drier, especially during winter seasons when the humidity levels are already low.
Using dehumidifiers during winter seasons can worsen health conditions like eczema, by causing excessive skin dryness. The dry air can also affect your skin and hair, even if you do not have any skin conditions.
The low humidity levels can also dry out the mucosal layer in your respiratory system, which acts as a barrier against infections and increase your risk of getting pneumonia. You might also notice some level of irritation in your eyes, caused by the dry air.
Check out: How to Correctly Use a Dehumidifier
Conclusion
While there are numerous disadvantages linked to using a dehumidifier in your home, this appliance can offer you an effective way of reducing humidity in your home.
Dehumidifiers can be useful for getting rid of moldy smells in homes built in fairly humid areas. As such, their importance cannot be completely overlooked because of the disadvantages outlined above.
If you wish to buy a dehumidifier, ensure that you consider some of the disadvantages that you might have to deal with when using it in your home. It is also important to understand the difference between a dehumidifier and a humidifier so that you buy the right product for your home.
While dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air within your home, humidifiers are essential for adding some moisture into the air if the air is too dry.
For example, for might need a humidifier to manage the common cold or soothe dry skin and still need a dehumidifier to suck out excess moisture in your bathroom or laundry room. It is all about balance and understanding how the products work.
