Whole House Dehumidifier: Ultimate Guide

Do you live in a highly humid climate or, a coastal area? Are you suffering from high summertime humidity? However, it is very challenging to balance the moisture level of the indoor air if the relative humidity is very high. In such situations, you must consider installing a dehumidifier in your home.

But what is the relative humidity level of your home? If it is very high then you should consider installing a whole-house dehumidifier.

A whole house dehumidifier improves the air quality of your entire home and keeps you healthy. It prevents the growth of mold and mildew that causes moisture. Thus, it protects you against the harmful effects of allergy and asthma symptoms and also, protects your home from getting damaged due to moisture.

What Is a Whole House Dehumidifier?

A whole-house dehumidifier is a mechanical equipment that removes moisture from the indoor air of an entire house. It is of much higher capacity than a portable dehumidifier and maintains the optimal humidity of the home’s entire air volume.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the ideal relative humidity level of the indoor air should be maintained between 30% to 50%.

A whole-house dehumidifier improves the air quality of the whole house and makes breathing easy and comfortable. It also avoids structural damage to a house due to mold and mildew.

These dehumidifiers are generally integrated with the centralized heating or cooling system to reduce the loads on them. The dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air which makes it easy for the air conditioning system to cool the surrounding air. So, these devices are also considered energy-efficient devices.

Basic Working Principle of a Whole House Dehumidifier

Compared to portable dehumidifiers, whole-house dehumidifiers offer a more comprehensive solution to maintain the home’s humidity at the recommended level.

The whole-house dehumidifiers are integrated with a home’s centralized heating or, cooling system. They are usually installed within the return duct of the air conditioning system. The surrounding air first passes through the dehumidifier to balance its moisture level and after removing the excess moisture the air is passed through the heating or cooling system to get the desired indoor temperature of a home.

The basic working principle of a whole-house dehumidifier is as follows.

The electric fan pulls the humid air from the return duct to the dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air.
The Humid air is then passed over the cooled coils where the condensation process starts. The water vapor in the air gets condensed into liquid form.
The liquid in the coils drips into the reservoir and drains out of the dehumidifier.
The dehumidifier reheats the air to return to the previous temperature and supplies the air to the air conditioning system or, heating system.
Once the air is heated or cooled, it is recirculated back into the home. The air is now cooled and dehumidified.

Types of Whole House Dehumidifier

There are basically two types of whole-house dehumidifiers available in the market.

Ducted Dehumidifiers: Ducted dehumidifiers can be integrated with the HVAC system. They are usually installed within the return duct of the air conditioning system.
Standalone Dehumidifiers: Standalone dehumidifiers are high-capacity crawl space dehumidifiers that are used to maintain the humidity level of a certain room or, basement area.

How to Select the Best Whole House Dehumidifier for Your Home?

Length, width and height of your home:

While selecting a whole-house dehumidifier measure the square footage of your entire home and the height of your rooms. Higher ceilings will reduce the rated coverage of the dehumidifier.

Geographical location:

If you live in an area with a high humidity level, then you should buy a dehumidifier with higher capacity.

Circulation:

The best way to install a whole-house dehumidifier is to have a dedicated return. In this way, dehumidified air is supplied to the HVAC system and the cooled air from the HVAC system is then circulated throughout the house.

A model with circulation mode allows the whole house dehumidifier to always circulate the air.

Smart features:

Nowadays whole house dehumidifiers are available with smart features so that you can control its operation away from the home.

Generates noise and heat:

Before installing the device select a suitable place for it as it generates both noise and heat.

Pros of Whole House Dehumidifier

The advantages of using a whole-house dehumidifier are listed below.

Prevents respiratory diseases:

When the relative humidity level inside your home reaches above 50%, it is called high humidity. High humidity causes mold growth and boosts dust mite levels in the environment. For a sensitive person, it becomes more difficult to breathe. This can worsen the asthma and allergies symptoms.

Installation of a whole-house dehumidifier creates a more comfortable environment to breathe. It also protects you from getting affected by respiratory diseases.

Creates a comfortable environment:

Humid air feels warm, sticky, and heavy. You can not breathe comfortably in highly humid air. The installation of a whole house environment improves the air quality and creates a healthy and comfortable environment.

Extends the life of an HVAC system:

A whole-house humidifier is integrated with the HVAC system. The humidifier first removes the moisture from the air and the dehumidified air is then supplied to the HVAC system. Thus, it reduces the load on the HVAC system in cooling the air and extends the life of an HVAC system.

Low Maintenance:

The whole house dehumidifier is connected directly with the plumbing system of the house. It drains out the water directly to the drainage system. It requires low maintenance and needs annual servicing just like your air conditioning system.

Prevents household damages:

The use of a whole-house dehumidifier can protect your valuable belongings from being affected by mold, fungus, dust mites, water damage, etc. High moisture in a home leads to rusting metals and warping wood. A whole-house dehumidifier can save costly things like door frames, bikes, vehicles, etc. from getting damaged.

Cons of Whole House Dehumidifier

Immobile:

This device is not as easy as rolling away a portable one. Once installed with the HVAC system it is more or less locked in a place and is difficult to uninstall.

Not suitable for smaller homes:

A whole-house dehumidifier can be installed in any type of home. But portable dehumidifiers would be better options for smaller homes as they provide adequate performance and save electricity bills.

Difficult installation

A whole-house dehumidifier is affixed to the HVAC system. So, it must be professionally installed to ensure safety and correct installation.

Expensive:

A whole-house dehumidifier is more expensive than a portable dehumidifier.

Conclusion

Installation of a whole-house dehumidifier is an easy solution to the high humidity problem in large spaces. It can supplement an already existing air conditioning system. It maintains the air’s moisture level throughout the whole house and improves the air quality of your home. It prevents mold growth inside a home that causes various health issues. It makes your home more comfortable and healthier for everyone.

So, if you feel the air in your home is heavy, highly humid, or smelling musty, don’t delay measuring your home’s humidity level and getting it under control by installing a whole-house dehumidifier.

FAQS

Are whole-house dehumidifiers worth it?

Yes, whole-house dehumidifiers are worth it as they offer several health benefits and also protect your home and household things from getting damaged. It helps to create a healthy environment, prevents mold growth, and reduces dust mites in the air. Thus, it creates a comfortable space for people suffering from respiratory diseases, allergic infections, etc.

2. Can a dehumidifier do the whole house?

It totally depends on the size (length x width x height) of your whole house. If you are living in a coastal area or, a highly humid climate and your house is very large, then a whole-house dehumidifier would be the best choice. If the size of your home is comparatively small then you should purchase a portable dehumidifier.