Sales of dehumidifiers peak during the winter when the outside air temperature drops and people see condensation on their windows and for those that are really unlucky mould growing on outside walls. In the UK, demand for dehumidifier used to drops off as the weather warms up and surface temperatures follow. In other countries though, sales of dehumidifiers tend to start when spring comes and that’s a trend we’re starting to see in the UK too. So, read on to find out why and when to use a dehumidifier in the warmer months of the year.
A quick note about using a dehumidifier in winter
In many European countries the use of basements is a lot more commonplace than in the UK, As the spring
rains fall the underground water table irises and water migrates its way into the basements. Anything that is being stored in those basements could be ruined without a good dehumidifier. Hence sales of dehumidifiers increasing in the spring and summer months.
It is actually easier to keep your home dry in winter than it is during the summer months when levels of humidity increase. In the winter the air is cold and damp but when it comes into the house our central heating system warms the air up and this dries the air at the same time. If you increase the relative humidity in your house by drying washing, cooking vegetables etc then you can get rid of the moisture laden air by opening windows. Not much fun when the air coming in is freezing cold but it is possible and the physics of it works.
Using a dehumidifier to manage mould in your home
The problem is that mould grows at a relative humidity of around 68%. During very warm summers, the outdoor relative humidity is very often much higher than that and it will remain so as the weather stays hot. But at this time of year we do not tend to have our heating on and therefore there is nothing to remove the moisture from the air that comes into the house. This air comes in through our open windows and doors and is actually far more likely to cause mould growth than the air that comes in during the winter.
Choosing a dehumidifier for a healthier home
So, buying a dehumidifier for the spring and summer, even if you always have the windows open, is a good idea. It will help to reduce the incidence of mould, which in turn is a positive thing for health issues like asthma. It’s energy efficient and will help you to save money on repairs and redecoration later in the year.
And as a bonus, if you use a dehumidifier in the summer months you will also get rid of the sticky feeling that comes on the warm, humid days typical of July and August.
Time to buy a dehumidifier for your home?
So, the solution to excess moisture coming into your home during the spring and summer is to buy a dehumidifier! To find out more or to get some advice on which dehumidifier is best for you, contact us on 01483 234900.
Products featured: dehumidifiers
8 Responses
Hi, I have just bought the “Arête One” 12L dehumidifier and I love it!! ☀️👏 I put it in my bedroom and found it to be a bit noisier than I expected. i am using the hepa filter to.purify the air, which I love and I know this makes the machine a little bit noiser, so I have moved it to downstairs in my lounge, can’t hear it now upstairs…great redult!!👍👍👍.
My question is, do I need a humidifier aswell? My main reason for buying the dehumidifier is, i dry my washing upstairs in the bathroom and I get condensation plus mould on all my windows upstairs. Also, recently I occasionally get the odd 2-3 silver fish in my bathroom and I thought the dehumidifier might help to get rid of them?
Many thanks
Hello,
Thank you for your feedback and for your recent Meaco purchase.
Your dehumidifier can be used to maintain an optimum humidity level throughout your house or flat. Moisture in the air from the entire house/flat will migrate towards the dehumidifier, reducing the humidity level. This will help reduce condensation on windows, prevent the build-up of mould and will make the space easier to heat, amongst other things. Using a humidifier simultaneously may not work well as it acts as the opposite of your dehumidifier, giving out moisture into your home.
Please give us a call if you’d like to discuss this further, otherwise I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Omar.
Hi, I am so confused with which one to buy. We are trying to reduce damp and mould in our two bed flat. But we find the damp and mould comes around in the winter months not the summer, when we have the heating on and the windows may gather condensation whether from cooking showers drying clothes etc. so how do we decide what one to buy? Thanks
Aaron,
Thank you for your enquiry, I’ve also replied to your email with a few questions.
Kind regards,
Omar.
Hi Chris, my Meaco is great at removing moisture from our flat, but why does the relative humidity jump swiftly back to where it was shortly after it is turned off? This happens even in a closed room with no external ventilation.
Hi there,
Can you advise what humidity? the room humidity or just the display on the machine?
– Omar.
Why does my MEACO collect more water in May this year and June than it did in winter , I have a MEACO 12L. it’s a fantastic machine I could not be without it I had lots of mould in my one bed flat now it has gone, as a 79 year old disabled war vet. With asbestosis ,and COPD it really helps me. I was a bit concerned about the amount of water is taking lately , is it ok ?and when should I turn it off? as it’s coming up to summer now. Regards Dave DeCourtney CT202DT
Dave,
A dehumidifier will always collect more in the summer months because the air temperature is higher and therefore more water can be held in the air and it is also easier for the dehumidifier to remove the moisture from the air in warmer temperatures. May 2021 was also the wettest on record (or at least in living memory) and therefore there was plenty of moisture in the air to remove.
Chris