On a hot, humid summer’s day, we wish there was a way to stick a giant dehumidifier in the sky and make it feel a little bit more comfortable. And while this type of technology might be a long way away, you can use dehumidifiers to make your humble abode a more comfortable place to be.

Dehumidifiers are electrical machines that remove moisture from the air. These magical boxes condense air molecules into liquid water, effectively reducing the amount of o in the air and moving it into a small container instead.

A humid home environment can lead to a ton of problems, namely mold growth. Mold is a fungus that thrives in warm, damp environments like basements and crawl spaces. While mold spores are technically harmless, they can cause an immune system response in individuals with mold allergies. So if you’re sneezing and wheezing, but you don’t exactly know why it might be wise to try dehumidifying.

1. Reduce Mold

We tend to think of the green stuff that grows on bread or rotten veggies when we think of mold. While this is certainly mold, it’s not necessarily the same as the type that leads to an allergic reaction.

Mold allergies present themselves in many ways, but they cough, sneeze, have a runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, or headaches for most people. Mold grows most prominently in dark and humid environments, so basements are often a breeding ground.

A dehumidifier can make the air in your home drier by removing excess moisture. This makes it harder for fungi like mold to grow and spread. Placing a dehumidifier in your basement, attic, or crawl spaces is a way to prevent fungal growth and make your living arrangement more comfortable. Who knows -- you might even be able to ditch your antihistamine medications for the time being.

2. Reduce Dust

Mold isn’t the only indoor allergen that can wreak havoc on your immune system. Dust mites are perhaps even more of a common allergen when compared to mold, and a dehumidifier can help eliminate dust, too.

Similar to mold, dust mites thrive in warmer and damper environments. So keeping the humidity level in your home between 30-40 percent can help maintain maximum comfort while also lowering the abundance of dust mites floating around.

You can maximize the dust-busting powers of a dehumidifier by regularly washing your bed sheets, linens, and curtains -- essentially any place where dust mites thrive.

3. Reduce Musty Odors

Every basement has that smell. It’s indescribable, but you probably know exactly what we’re talking about. Musty and mildew odors are usually a direct result of humid environments, and removing that moisture from your home can make it smell much better.

Dehumidifiers can also make it smell more fresh and clean in your home as it works to reduce the abundance of mold and other potential allergens.

4. Improve Overall Comfort

You’ve stepped outside on a hot and humid summer’s day and probably immediately wanted to go back inside. Heat is uncomfortable, but humidity can make it unbearable. Few things are less desirable than that sticky, sweaty feeling where your clothes won’t detach from your skin.

If your home is too humid, you might be feeling like this constantly. That can make it hard to sleep or find relaxation. Dehumidifiers can reduce the relative humidity in your home so that you feel light and airy at all times.

The relative humidity measures the amount of water vapor in the air compared to how much water vapor could _possibly _be in the air. Anything above 50 percent relative humidity is typically enough to make us feel uncomfortable, so it’s recommended that you try to keep your indoor humidity between 30 to 40 percent.

But wait -- if higher humidity creates a breeding ground for allergens, why not remove as much moisture from the air as possible? Having air that’s too dry can have its own share of issues. Too low of humidity can make your skin super dry and itchy. It can also make you more susceptible to catching a cold or illness while damaging wood and siding within your home’s structure.

5. Cost Efficient

There are several alternatives to dehumidifiers that can also work to reduce unpleasurable conditions. Air conditioning units are great because they dehumidify the air while also cooling it, making for maximum comfort on hot summer days. The thing is, that also means it needs to work twice as hard as a dehumidifier alone, which can rack up your electric bill.

Using a dehumidifier reduces the moisture in the air so that your HVAC unit doesn’t need to work as hard to get the job done. By already decreasing the moisture in the air, the air conditioning unit really only needs to work to cool it down. Not to mention, this can help extend its lifespan, so you don’t need to change the filter or replace the machine as often.

6. Flooding Clean-Up

Water damage is one of the most difficult disasters to address, as it can have detrimental effects on your personal belongings. Plus, it can be a pain to clean up.

Dehumidifiers can help address cleanup to eliminate some of the hassle and stress. Dehumidifiers can absorb extra water and moisture to quicken the drying process, so you don’t need to spend as much time mopping and sopping up that O.

7. Condense Condensation

On your windows and walls, condensation or water droplets signify that there is too much humidity inside your home. Moisture on the wood and walls of your home can be a bad sign, as it may absorb and weaken the structural integrity of your home. This can lead to mold, decay, and paint chipping over time.

Dehumidifiers can control this moisture to prevent droplets from forming within your humble abode.

8. Improve Respiratory Issues

Rising heat and humidity can make breathing more difficult, especially if you have allergies, asthma, COPD, or chronic bronchitis. The heaviness of the moisture in the air can cause an increase in phlegm production and just make it less comfortable overall.

Dehumidifiers can lift that weight from your chest while reducing the abundance of dust mites and mold spores that would otherwise also worsen respiratory issues. This can also help clear your sinuses and bring an end to that stuffed-up nose.

9. Clothes Dry Faster

If you like to air dry your clothes, you may notice that it takes a little longer for them to dry on humid and hot days. That’s because the moisture is taking longer to evaporate off the fabric. A surprising benefit of using a dehumidifier is that your favorite clothes can dry out sooner, letting you throw on your favorite fits even when you’re in a time crunch.

10. Safer Exercise Conditions

There’s nothing better than an at-home workout, but heat and humidity are the most unsafe conditions to exercise. Sweat cools your blood through evaporation, helping to maintain a stable core temperature. But when the air is moist, sweat cannot evaporate, causing your internal body temperature to continue to rise.

If you have a home gym, dehumidifiers are essential to make sure you’re working out in proper conditions. It’ll let you get your sweat on without worrying about heat exhaustion.

11. Protection of Your Belongings

Moisture can wreak havoc on some of your personal belongings, especially books, photos, and antiques. Dehumidifiers work to reduce mold, fungus, dust mites, and water damage to your personal belongings, so you don’t need to worry about tarnishing even your most prized possessions.

12. Reduce Pests

Dust mites and mold aren’t the only things that like warm, damp environments. Insects like spiders and cockroaches also love a good dark and humid basement. So unless you want more critters crawling around your crawl spaces, a dehumidifier can help stave them off.

In Conclusion

Humid environments are detrimental for allergy sufferers, as well as those with respiratory infections like COPD. Humidity not only makes it harder to breathe but it fosters an environment where common allergens like dust mites and mold can thrive.

Using a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in your home has several benefits, including reducing dust mites and mold, eliminating musty odors, and improving overall comfort. On top of that, it can make it easier to clean up leaks, protect your belongings from damage, make it safer to exercise in your home, and help your clothes dry faster once they come out of the wash.

If the humidity in your home can still alleviate your allergy symptoms, your online allergist is ready to see you. Cleared gives you a personalized treatment plan from US-licensed allergists right from the comfort of your own home. Take a free allergy consultation here.

Sources:

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home | US EPA

Heat and humidity | The Lung Association

Heat and exercise: Keeping cool in hot weather | The Mayo Clinic