Living in a damp climate such as the UK can feel like an ongoing battle against condensation, stubborn damp patches, and the looming threat of mould. But fear not, there’s a stylish, cost efficient and energy efficient solution: the modern dehumidifier.
In this blog, we’ll explore how dehumidifiers work, why they’re so essential for modern living, and the many ways they can improve both your home and your health.
Contents
- What is a dehumidifier?
- Why is too much moisture in your home a problem?
- How can having a dehumidifier benefit your health?
- Warm up your savings: Cut heating costs with a dehumidifier
- How much does it actually cost to dry laundry with a dehumidifier?
- Do dehumidifiers cool a room?
- Types of dehumidifiers
- Compressor dehumidifiers
- Desiccant dehumidifiers
- How is a dehumidifier tank size determined?
- How to choose the right dehumidifier for your space
- Dehumidifiers should be seen and not heard
- The health and happiness of a dry home
- Why choose a Meaco dehumidifier?
What is a dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is a compact, mains-powered appliance (about the size of a carry-on suitcase, – though if your house produces lots of moisture, think oversized luggage!). Available in a range of sizes (more on that later), these devices are built to reduce excess humidity in the air. They are designed to strike the perfect balance between too much moisture and too little.
Too much moisture can turn your home into a breeding ground for mould, mildew, and dust mites. On the flip side, too little can cause dry skin, irritated airways, and make wooden furniture and floors crack. A dehumidifier helps you stay in the sweet spot for both comfort and health.
Why is too much moisture in your home a problem?
Excess moisture might sound harmless, but it can lead to serious issues. Here’s what’s at stake:
- Condensation: Those wet windows aren’t just annoying – they’re a sign of excess moisture that can lead to damp and damage over time.
- Mould and mildew: More than just unsightly, mould can trigger allergies, asthma, and even respiratory issues.
- Health risks: High humidity is a playground for dust mites and can worsen conditions like eczema and arthritis.
How can having a dehumidifier benefit your health?
A dehumidifier helps maintain a healthy moisture level in your home, reducing the risks associated with mould and dust mites – common triggers for allergies and respiratory issues. Mould produces allergens, irritants, and even toxic substances that can cause reactions like sneezing, red eyes, and skin rashes, or worse, asthma attacks. Dust mites, which thrive in humid environments, can further exacerbate these issues.
For those especially vulnerable, such as babies, children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems or conditions like eczema or asthma, a dehumidifier can make a significant difference. Our Arete® range goes a step further, with built-in air purifiers that remove 99.97% of harmful particles, delivering cleaner, healthier air.
The risk of mould is even greater in winter, as colder temperatures lead to increased condensation on windows and walls while we keep windows closed to retain heat. This creates the perfect environment for damp and mould to thrive. Additionally, the lack of ventilation and higher indoor humidity from activities like drying laundry indoors makes the problem worse. A dehumidifier combats these issues, ensuring your home stays dry, warm, and healthy during the chilliest months.
Living with damp and mould can be dangerous. A dehumidifier provides a healthier, more comfortable living space – offering relief from conditions that thrive in humid environments, like arthritis and eczema.
Warm up your savings: Cut heating costs with a dehumidifier
Here’s a bonus you might not expect: dehumidifiers are laundry-day lifesavers. They help clothes dry faster by pulling moisture from the air in your home, making them a cheaper and more energy-efficient alternative to tumble dryers.
Dehumidifiers are a practical solution for tackling excess moisture in your home all year round, especially given the UK’s often damp and unpredictable weather. They’re particularly handy in winter when outdoor drying isn’t an option, and we’re opening windows less to keep out the chill, which causes moisture to build up inside.
Dehumidifiers don’t just keep your home comfortable – they can also boost your heating efficiency. Dry air is easier to heat because it contains fewer water molecules, which means your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard. On top of that, dry air naturally feels warmer, so you may find yourself reaching for the thermostat less often – helping you save on energy bills during those chilly months.
How much does it actually cost to dry laundry with a dehumidifier?
The MeacoDry Arete® One 10L Dehumidifier and Air Purifier costs just 4p per hour to run, offering significant energy savings. Combine it with the MeacoFan Sefte® for enhanced efficiency at less than 1p per hour, keeping your dehumidifier cost and laundry costs under 30p per load over a 6-hour drying time.
In contrast, a non-heat pump tumble dryer averages between £1.60 and £2.00 a load (the latest figures suggest an average of £1.01 per load*), meaning you could save nearly £275 annually on 270 loads. For a detailed cost breakdown, read the full breakdown: How to save nearly £300 a year drying your laundry.
Do dehumidifiers cool a room?
Contrary to popular belief, dehumidifiers don’t actually cool a room. While they may seem to produce cold air, they actually only make it feel cooler because it’s moving air (similar to a fan). What they really do is remove excess moisture, which can make the air feel sticky and heavy, creating a more comfortable environment. Compressor dehumidifiers release air that’s 1-2°C warmer than the surrounding air, while desiccant models release air that’s 11-12°C warmer, making them ideal for colder environments or unheated spaces.
Types of dehumidifiers
A dehumidifier’s primary job is to remove excess moisture from the air. It does this through one of two methods:
Compressor dehumidifiers
Compressor dehumidifiers work by drawing in humid air, passing it over a cold coil causing the moisture in the air to condense into liquid. The dry air is then blown back into the room, usually 1-2°C warmer than the surrounding air. The process of removing damp moisture from the air will make the room feel slightly warmer.
Compressor models are more effective in warmer climates or spaces where temperatures don’t drop below 10-15°C, as they rely on the air temperature to condense moisture effectively.
Desiccant dehumidifiers
Desiccant dehumidifiers are like a sponge on steroids. Instead of using cold coils, they feature a desiccant wheel that absorbs moisture from the air. An internal heater then regenerates the desiccant, allowing the process to continue seamlessly. These models release air that’s significantly warmer – about 11–12°C higher than the surrounding air – which makes them perfect for colder environments or unheated spaces like garages, basements, or conservatories.
Whether you choose a compressor or a desiccant dehumidifier depends on your home’s specific needs, but both types deliver the same ultimate benefit: a drier, more comfortable living space.
Read more about each type of dehumidifier, and which one will be right for you.
You’ll also want to consider features like continuous drainage (no need to keep emptying the tank), tank size, and noise levels – especially if you plan to run your dehumidifier in a bedroom.
How is a dehumidifier tank size determined?
The size of a dehumidifier, such as 10L or 25L, refers to the maximum amount of water it can extract from the air in 24 hours under optimal conditions. For example, a 10L dehumidifier can remove up to 10 liters of water from the air in a day. This capacity is a key factor in determining the suitability of a dehumidifier for specific spaces or uses. Larger models are more powerful and are better suited to handling higher humidity levels or larger homes.
How to choose the right dehumidifier size for your space
For single rooms, small flats or 1 bedroom houses, we recommend the 10L ABC or 10L Arete® One, which are perfect for smaller areas and provide efficient moisture control. The Arete® models – Europe’s most-loved dehumidifier family – also have the added benefit of being designed to sit flush against the wall, making them an excellent choice for homes with limited space.
If you’re living in a 2-3 bedroom flat or house and need to tackle moisture throughout the whole property, the 12L ABC or 12L Low Energy models are ideal for maintaining balanced humidity levels.
For larger homes, such as a 4-5 bedroom house, you’ll need a more powerful option like the 20L Low Energy or 20L Arete® One, both of which are designed to handle high moisture output across multiple rooms, ensuring effective moisture management for the entire house.
If you’re planning to use your dehumidifier to dry your laundry, choosing a larger model will dry it faster and cheaper (it extracts more water per kWh).
Dehumidifiers should be seen and not heard
This is an ethos Meaco embodies with its cutting-edge designs. The MeacoDry Arete® range, hailed as the quietest dehumidifiers Meaco have ever produced, set a new standard for silent operation. Ideal for bedrooms and offices, the Arete® range combines ultra-quiet performance with exceptional efficiency, ensuring a peaceful environment while effectively managing humidity. These dehumidifiers allow you to focus on work, sleep, or relaxation without distraction, redefining comfort in modern living spaces.
The health and happiness of a dry home
By maintaining the right humidity levels, dehumidifiers don’t just protect your home – they protect you, too. With benefits like improved air quality, reduced allergy triggers, and a more comfortable living space, they’re an investment in both your health and happiness.
So, if you’ve been wrestling with condensation, damp walls, or an unrelenting pile of wet laundry, consider making a dehumidifier your new best friend.
Why choose a Meaco dehumidifier?
At Meaco, we know how vital it is to create a home that’s both healthy and comfortable. That’s why we offer energy-efficient, quiet, and stylish dehumidifiers, including models like the Arete® One and Two, which combine dehumidification with air-purifying features for the ultimate indoor air experience.
Ready to find your perfect dehumidifier? Check out our range here.
