Indoor Mold & Mildew: Harmful but Often Ignored
Why Do You Need a Dehumidifier?
Dehumidifier is certainly not the first that comes to mind when anyone is looking for an air purifier. This is even more true if it is the first air purifier purchase that you’re making.
Do you really need a dehumidifier? Let me give you an idea on how it works. You answer to yourself if you ever need one.
Your Health and Mold
Every allergy and asthma sufferer knows that pollen, dust, pet hairs and pet danders are the usual stuffs that they have to combat. It is not surprising since these pollutants prove to be the major cause behind most allergy symptoms and asthma attacks. And it is these pollutants that are being highlighted most often in most air purifier reviews.
Little known to most people is the ill-effects of mold to their health. In fact, ignorance to the mold growth problem is common among homeowners.
If this is the first time you’re into this subject, EPA has provided a comprehensive guide on how to tackle mold and moisture problem in your home.
How much do you have to worry about mold depends on your degree of sensitivity and reaction when you’re exposed to molds. The severity ranges. From light symptoms such as skin irritation, eye irritation and nasal stuffiness to more serious ones such as fever, shortness of breath and even mold infections in their lungs.
Identify the Cause. Use the Right Strategy.
Mold and mildew thrive when there is a high presence of water vapor or high moisture level. But you don’t immediately jump into thinking that you need a dehumidifier the moment you see mold and mildew on your wall surfaces.
Why? Because there are two possibilities to this and each require a different strategy to tackle.
The first possbility on why you see mold and mildew growing on your wall surface is because your room temperature is too cold. While the second possibility is because there is simply too much moisture in the air.
If it is due to the former, the more appropriate strategy to use is to increase the room temperature. Because in this case, deploying a dehumidifier might not be of so much help.
But if it is due to the latter, then getting a dehumidifer will be really helpful. Good dehumidifier such as Frigidaire FAD704DWD is capable of sucking in up to 33 litres of water vapor a day.
How much is 33 litres equal to? That is about 20x the recommended daily water intake (1.6 litres) for adults.
Dehumidifier as Air Purifier Option
There are 2 types of air purifier that delivers the dehumidifying capability to your living room.
The first type is a dedicated dehumidifer that does nothing except removing the water vapor from the air and convert it back into water before you can dispose easily.
Unlike the mainstream air purifier space where we have a number of air purifier specialists in the likes of IQAir, Rabbit Air and Blueair, the list of dehumidifier specialist is almost non-existent. As far as my knowledge goes, I’d consider Frigidaire and Newaire as probably the better brands when it comes to pure dehumidifier machines.
The second type is a hybrid of mainstream air purifer (remove germs, pollens and air pollutants) and a dehumidifier. I’ve come across few air purifier with dehumidifier combo. But I’ve so far not come across one that’s worth recommending. If you have, please let me know. I’d be curious to learn about that.
It is not rare that you need a dehumidifier in addition to a good air purifier. In fact, due to the lack of good combo alternatives, it is cheaper to get the two separately. It will not only be cheaper but you’ll have an easier job maintaining them.
There You Have It
You’ve now discovered how mold and moisture can have an impact on your health. It seems trivial but may grow to become more severe if not addressed well.
Now you know it, go back and determine the severity of mold and mildew problem in your home. From there, you can decide if getting a dehumidifier is what you need.
Photography courtesy of carlpenergy, Cornell Fungi, stanton.hunter and Vincent Ma
