The size of the dehumidifier unit depends on the size of the area that needs humidity taken out of the air. The smaller the area, the smaller the unit that is needed. Too small a unit may have to run constantly to accommodate a larger space, so it is wise to make sure the unit you purchase is large enough to take care of the entire area.
Dehumidifiers have pans or containers that collect the moisture out of the air. You need to empty the containers once or several times a day, depending on the amount of moisture in the air. Empty the pans before they become too full to avoid spillage. A drain tube may also be attached to the container so that water drains out automatically.
Dehumidifiers need at least a 65 degree room temperature in order to work efficiently. Frost may build up on the coil at lower temperatures, resulting in the unit having to work harder.
Place a dehumidifier so it has have free air flow in a room, a few feet from a wall. Dehumidifiers work by taking humidity out of the air, but also by heating the air as it runs through its condenser when discharged from the unit. A dehumidifier will increase the heat in a room by several degrees.
Dehumidifiers work to prevent mold and mildew buildup in the home, but cannot do much for mold that has already accumulated. Call a professional to remove any mold growths that have grown and collected in your home.
Dehumidifiers help keep wooden furniture from warping. Excess moisture in the air is absorbed by wood through cracks and crevices. This absorption causes the wood to expand, resulting in hardware such as nails being forced out of the wood. Dehumidifiers help wood furniture return to its normal shape by removing excess moisture from the wood.