Before purchasing a dehumidifier you really need to ask yourself this question; is a dehumidifier bad for your health? While dehumidifiers are incredibly popular, easy to find in stores, and owned by a large number of people, before you buy this appliance you will want to make sure that it is good for you to use one and that running a dehumidifier will not threaten or endanger your health. Many people think that keeping the home as humid as possible is the best way to counter health problems such as allergies and headaches, but running a dehumidifier may be a much better option for some people and can actually have a positive effect on your health.
Signs You Need a Humidifier
Before going out and buying any appliance for your home, it is a good idea to investigate the signs that will clue you in that you need either a humidifier or a dehumidifier. Humidifiers work by increasing the humidity, or amount of water in the air, of your home. These appliances offer a number of benefits and are a great choice to use in your home, but only if you need them.
If your family members suffer from unexplainable bloody noses, dry and itchy skin, or a lingering sore throat and cough then these are all signs that there might not be enough humidity in the air. Cracks in your wood furniture and a lot of static electricity are also signs that your living environment may be a little dry. If you have these problems in your home then you will want to consider using a humidifier to add additional water to your air, as this may be able to counter the problems that you are experiencing.
Signs You Need a Dehumidifier
On the other hand, there are also a number of signs that will clue you in that you need to invest in a dehumidifier. It’s important that you pay close attention to your home, the health of your family members, and the comfort level in your space so that you can make sure that you choose the right appliance for your needs.
If you smell a musty or mildew smell in your home, then that is a clear sign that you have excess moisture in your rooms that needs to be removed. Black mold growing on the walls in your bathroom, condensation inside the windows of your home, and water stains on your ceilings or walls are also clear signs that you have too much moisture in your house. If you see these problems, then you will want to invest in a dehumidifier so that you can remove the excess water from your home and combat these problems right away.
Get Rid of Allergens
One of the main problems of living in a humid environment is that allergens tend to grow and thrive in these homes. It is very common for mildew, mold, and even dust mites to thrive in humid homes, which can cause major problems for allergy sufferers living in these houses. No matter if your entire home is humid due to the climate where you live or you have a humid room or two in your home, it’s a good idea to consider a dehumidifier to help you get rid of these allergies.
Childhood asthma can be exacerbated by mold growth in the home, which is why it’s a good idea to carefully monitor humidity levels in your house. Additionally, if you notice that you or your family members suffer from skin rashes, watery eyes, stuffy noses, or breathing problems, then allergies may be the cause and may be a problem due to the humidity levels in your home.
Other Benefits You’ll Enjoy
Not only do dehumidifiers do exactly what their name claims – which is reduce the amount of water in your home, which will decrease the mold and mildew growing in your space, but they have other benefits as well. They can remove or reduce unpleasant odors in your space that are caused by damp conditions, which is a great way to get rid of any musty smell in your home. By adding moisture to the air, they will reduce the irritation that can occur to your nose when you are breathing.
Paying Attention to Your Changing Needs
The only time that a dehumidifier could be bad for your health is if your home is already dry and you remove more of the water from the air. That’s why it is very important that you don’t simply set up a dehumidifier and allow it to run without paying attention to the quality of air in your home and considering if you need to make adjustments. By being in tune with the way your home feels, as well as the health of your family, you can make sure that you are not erroneously operating this piece of equipment when you already have dry air.
Because the humidity level in your home can be affected by a number of things, including the weather and where you live, it’s important that you pay attention to your needs and make adjustments as they change. If you notice that the air in your home is too dry, then you will want to stop using the dehumidifier and even consider running a humidifier to add more moisture to your home. Likewise, if there is too much water in your house and you have seen the symptoms of moisture damage, then a dehumidifier is the perfect choice.
When used correctly and in a home where there is too much moisture in the air, a dehumidifier is a wonderful way to address health problems that you or your family members may have. They can make it much easier to breathe, reduce the symptoms of dry and itchy skin, and decrease asthma problems in children. If you are worried that your health problems may stem from being in an environment that is too dry, then it is a good idea to consider if a dehumidifier is right for you, as they offer many benefits when used correctly and in a space that suffers from moisture.
