Basement Dehumidifier
The basement is one place in your house that is the most prone to dampness due to a lack of proper ventilation. Damp spaces increase the growth of molds and mildews and can cause serious problems to the structure of the house, not to mention the fact that it can create an unhealthy environment for the residents. This is why a good basement dehumidifier is necessary to control the humidity levels. However, not all dehumidifiers work equally well for this place. Therefore, it is important that you choose your basement dehumidifier carefully.
Choosing the right basement dehumidifier
Here are a few points that can help you choose the right dehumidifier for your basement.
- Choose a larger dehumidifier. The basement is much wetter than the other rooms of the house. Some experts recommend that you should buy a unit that is capable of covering twice the area of your basement. You will need information about the amount of cubic square feet in your basement. Buying the largest unit possible will ensure that the unit needs less energy to remove the humidity. However, this will depend on the size of your basement. Buying a unit that does not fit the requirements of your basement will only be a waste of your money.
- You can choose between a portable unit and a permanent one. A permanent unit needs to be installed by a contractor whereas a portable one can be just placed in your basement. Portable basement dehumidifiers also are cheaper than the permanent ones and also allow you the option to change one in case you find that it is not big enough for your basement space. However, a portable unit may not be effective if your basement is quite large. So, the choice should depend on the size of your basement.
- Choose a dehumidifier with a drain option. A dehumidifier extracts the moisture from the room to keep it dry and with the drain option the water has a place to get collected. You will, however, need to empty the unit regularly so that the basement dehumidifier does not shut down. This task can be made easy if you have a drain in your basement. All you will need to do is buy a dehumidifier with a hose attachment and the collected water will go down the hose and into the drain.
- Basement dehumidifiers should be installed when the house is built to minimize the chance of mold and mildew gaining a foothold. However, if you already have a house and notice molds growing in secluded areas, you should buy a unit immediately to make sure that the problem does not increase and enter the other rooms of your house.
Keeping your basement free of mold and mildew will prevent that damp, musty smell from penetrating your house – something that can put off potential purchasers in the future.
It is not very difficult to buy a basement dehumidifier. You can easily visit your local store or go online to choose one that is suitable for the size of your basement. If properly maintained, your basement dehumidifier can last for a long time and keep the air in your house free of molds and other contaminants.