5 Reasons to Buy a Dehumidifier

When you’re looking to make a change in your life, buying a dehumidifier is probably not the first item on your list of resolutions. It’s a distinctly un-sexy purchase, that’s for sure. But when it comes to your health and well being — not to mention the safety of your home and the preservation of your belongings — a dehumidifier can have a huge effect on your life.

Here are five reasons it might be time to spring for one.

1. You Have Mold and Mildew

If you have a basement, chances are you’ve smelled it: the odor of mold and mildew. But along with being an unpleasant olfactory experience, mold can be a significant cause of damage to your home’s structure. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 30% to 50% of all structures (residential and commercial) are in a condition that encourages the buildup of powerful biological pollutants. Mold can take hold whenever humidity is over 60% in an enclosed space for a protracted period of time, and it can weaken the support structures of your home, damage walls, and ruin carpets. Not to mention destroy your belongings — especially if you use a damp basement for storage. Sheets, clothing, and paper are particularly susceptible, but so are electronics. By drying out the air, a dehumidifier makes it harder for mold spores to spread and grow.

2. You Have Allergies

You might be allergic to mold. But many other common allergens also thrive in humid air. The grossest? Dust mites. These miniscule relatives of spiders and chiggers love damp environments — anything above 50% humidity feels great to them — and survive by eating dead skin and dander from humans and pets. Though they’re completely invisible to the naked eye, they can wreak havoc on sheets, textiles, rugs, and furniture. Not to mention your respiratory system.

3. You Want Better Respiratory Health

Even if you’re allergy free, drier air is generally good for breathing and circulation. There’s a reason why doctors used to prescribe a trip to the desert or the mountains for patients with respiratory issues — drier air is less work for your lungs.

4. You Want Your Food To Stay Fresh For Longer

We’ve covered how hospitable humidity is for mold. But spores don’t just ruin walls, books, and medical bills — they also get into your food. A dehumidifier can lessen the risk of spoiling for your dry food, and ensure that it tastes fresh for longer. With a dehumidifier in the kitchen, bread will take longer to go stale, fruit will remain crisp for more than a few days, and your Cheerios won’t be soggy before they hit the bowl. That’s good news for your grocery bill… and your health.

5. You Want a Lower Utilities Bill

A humid house is harder to cool. Your air conditioner has to work doubly hard to dry the air before cooling it. Plus, as anyone who has ever lived in the American South can tell you, when it comes to comfort, it’s not the heat — it’s the humidity. Wet air feels warmer than dry air at the same temperature, and what do you do when you feel warm? You turn down the thermostat.

The end result is a high electricity bill and lingering discomfort — not to mention increased maintenance due to the strain on your cooling system. A dehumidifier can lessen the load for your A/C unit, which should pay dividends every month on your utilities bill.

Sam Radbil is a contributing member of the marketing and communications team at ABODO, an online apartment marketplace. ABODO was founded in 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin.

from Mold Blogger http://moldblogger.com/5-reasons-to-buy-a-dehumidifier/
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