Are Portable Dehumidifiers Right For You?

If you have an RV or live in a small apartment in the Southern United States then chances are that you’ve already purchased or have considered the purchase of a portable dehumidifier. If you’re considering the purchase of a dehumidifier but are as yet undecided then perhaps you could obtain some humidity indicator cards which change color in the presence of airborne moisture. These cards can also give a good indication of how powerful a dehumidifier you’re going to need. Dehumidifiers come in two basic types, installed or portable.Installed humidifiers are suitable for use in basements and large living areas while portable dehumidifiers are suitable for use in smaller rooms or even in a recreational vehicle. The advantage of the portable dehumidifier are that it can be taken from room to room as required, the disadvantage is that by and large portable dehumidifiers are simply not as powerful as the larger permanently installed units and that in most cases where portability is desirable the pan that holds the water, that is a by product of the dehumidifying process, has to be emptied on a regular basis. These disadvantages are offset by the fact that the portable units can be placed next to the occupants of the home and therefore need not be as powerful as the installed units.Another advantage is that the portable dehumidifiers use less electricity than the larger installed units. Newer models such as those manufactured by Danby today boast quiet operation and capacities that range from 30 to 70 pints of water during a 24 hour cycle. They also boast larger pans than was the case only a few years ago and so the maintenance involved in emptying the pans is considerably less than has traditionally been the case.One of the most important considerations when buying a dehumidifier is the availability of dehumidifier parts. If parts are not available in your area then maintenance of your humidifier is going to become a problem. One of the best ways of avoiding this situation is to buy dehumidifiers that are manufactured by brand leaders. If the company that manufactures the dehumidifier is a recognized name and has been in the industry for a number of years then chances are they will be supplying dehumidifiers for the foreseeable future. When taking into account the availability of parts, make sure that there will be someone able to fit those parts. A comprehensive after sales network is one of the most important prerequisites for buying a dehumidifier, do it yourself is not recommended for dehumidifier maintenance.Another factor that must be taken into account when deciding which model of dehumidifier to purchase is the environment in which it will be operating. When the dehumidifier is used in the basement it should be noted that many dehumidifiers will not operate optimally in a low temperature environment. Advances in the design of portable dehumidifiers mean that they now offer extremely good value for money and performance, in many cases on par with the fully installed units. However, care should be taken to choose the right model to suit each homes unique requirement.