During winter, homes tend to be much warmer indoors than outdoors, with things like showering and cooking contributing to excess moisture in the air.
This excess moisture then becomes trapped in the air, which can lead to many issues, such as allergies and asthma. A way to combat these issues is to open windows, but during the winter, this can make the home extremely cold, which is why I use a dehumidifier.
A dehumidifier removes unhealthy air from the home, traps impurities and then circulates clean, healthy air throughout the home.
Other benefits include preventing mould and mildew as well as reducing condensation.
Simon Hughes, appliance expert at PriceYourJob.co.uk, said: “Mould and mildew thrive in moist environments. Dehumidifiers are highly effective at preventing the growth of mould on walls, ceilings, furniture and other surfaces, which can cause significant damage and health risks.
“Dehumidifiers also help prevent condensation from forming on windows and other cold surfaces, which can lead to mould growth and water damage.”
I tend to keep my appliance on for around six hours per day, which often collects around 12 litres of excess water, especially if I’m drying laundry.
It’s important not to make the air too dry, as this can also be bad for health, so six hours per day works for me.
My washing also dries within this timeframe, and some dehumidifiers have a specific laundry setting that enables the appliance to work harder to draw in more moisture.
I limit my tumble dryer use as much as possible in the winter months and keep it strictly for towels and bedding to save energy and money as much as possible.
According to the expert, dehumidifiers are a “useful alternative” to tumble dryers, as they ” significantly” speed up drying time indoors.
Simon added: “It’s best to place your dehumidifier close to the source of the moisture issue to help ensure the problem is dealt with as quickly as possible.
“It isn’t recommended that you place a dehumidifier in the bathroom, as they are not IP-rated. Instead, place it just outside the bathroom and leave the bathroom door open to help reduce air moisture quickly.
“Place the dehumidifier close to the area where there is the most moisture while also ensuring there is enough airflow around the machine for it to work effectively.”
