Summer air in Chicago is loaded with humidity. And that humidity will slowly enter your home.
You want to keep the humidity in your home at 40% to 55%. The best way to do that is with a dehumidifier that extracts excess moisture from indoor air. It will make your home more comfortable, and will also reduce allergens like mold and dust mites.
To dehumidify smaller spaces, a plug-in, portable dehumidifier that you can buy at the hardware or home improvement store may be the best solution.
For significant issues, though, you may want a central whole-house dehumidifier that uses your home’s heating and cooling system to reduce the humidity in the entire house. Even though they may cost $2,000 or more, they are the right solution if you have humidity issues throughout your house. Also note now that summer is drawing to a close, you might be able to get a better deal than if you bought one at the beginning of the season.
There are three types of whole house dehumidifiers, each with its own pros and cons.
You want to keep the humidity in your home at 40% to 55%. The best way to do that is with a dehumidifier that extracts excess moisture from indoor air. It will make your home more comfortable, and will also reduce allergens like mold and dust mites.
To dehumidify smaller spaces, a plug-in, portable dehumidifier that you can buy at the hardware or home improvement store may be the best solution.
For significant issues, though, you may want a central whole-house dehumidifier that uses your home’s heating and cooling system to reduce the humidity in the entire house. Even though they may cost $2,000 or more, they are the right solution if you have humidity issues throughout your house. Also note now that summer is drawing to a close, you might be able to get a better deal than if you bought one at the beginning of the season.
There are three types of whole house dehumidifiers, each with its own pros and cons.
- Heat pump dehumidifiers are generally considered among the most effective. They extract water from the air by using a heat pump similar to an air conditioner pump.
- Chemical absorbent (desiccant) dehumidifiers use a chemical drying agent – or desiccant - on a heat exchange wheel to absorb water molecules from the air. This damp air is sent outside via vents. The downside is these dehumidifiers use a lot of energy, and may be more appropriate for industrial settings.
- Dehumidifying ventilators have a sensor that activates the unit when humidity reaches a certain level, and the unit then uses an exhaust fan to dehumidify the room. These units are less effective in muggy climates because they draw outside air into the house.