If you are looking for a home dehumidifier, you have probably realized why you need one. A humidity problem in the house can lead to so many other related issues in a short time. Not only is it bad for your family’s health, with all the respiratory problems, fungal infections, and allergies that it can give rise to, it is bad for your home’s health too. Excess humidity can cause mold, rotting, and structural damage inside your home. Getting a dehumidifier is a smart solution, but how do you decide which one is best? Do you need a whole home dehumidifier or a portable dehumidifier?
There are various kinds of dehumidifiers on the market, each having its own share of advantages and disadvantages. In St. Louis, the experts at Galmiche & Sons are here to help you learn what is best for you. To learn more about dehumidifiers and HVAC systems contact our heating and air conditioning experts online or give us a call at 314-993-1110.
Differences Between a Whole Home Dehumidifier and a Portable Dehumidifier
A whole home dehumidifier works together with your residential heating and cooling system. It removes the excess moisture from the air as it passes through the HVAC return duct, to reduce humidity in your indoor air. The dehumidifier condenses the moisture and drains the condensate out through an outlet. A whole home dehumidifier is usually placed with your HVAC system in the basement or similar space.
A portable dehumidifier also does the same job, but locally. This means it has to be placed in the room that you want to dehumidify. It can be carried around. The portable device has a fan that suctions the air and passes it over cooling coils to condense the moisture, which is collected in a drip tray attached to it. The dry air is released back into the room.
Pros and Cons of Whole Home Dehumidifiers vs. Portable Dehumidifiers
Pros of a whole home dehumidifier include:
- Controls humidity throughout the house
- Can be placed away from sight and does not create much noise
- Has higher energy efficiency than portable devices
- Extends the life of your HVAC system by removing excess humidity before the air enters the system, reducing the load on it
- Usually lasts longer than portable devices
Cons of whole home dehumidifiers:
- Relatively more expensive
- Requires professional installation
Pros of a portable dehumidifier:
- Can be moved around the house and address the humidity problem wherever you need it
- Easy to use with a simple plug-and-use system, no installation required
- Less expensive than whole home models
Cons of portable dehumidifiers:
- Can only dehumidify one room at a time
- Condensate collected needs to be emptied once in a while
- Placement is inside the room which can be a disturbance due to the noise it produces
- Occupies usable space in the room
Portable or Whole Home Dehumidifier – Deciding Which One To Pick?
The decision depends entirely on your requirements. If your humidity problem is spread across the whole house, a whole home system will work best. If the problem persists in just one or two rooms, a portable device should be enough. Also, your budget will decide whether you can afford a whole home dehumidifier or have to opt for a portable solution.
For most homes where humidity is a year-round problem and an HVAC system is already installed, we recommend getting a whole home model. It is important to remember though, that regular HVAC maintenance is necessary to keep these systems running.
Get the Best Air Conditioning Services in St. Louis
If you are looking for a solution for your home’s humidity problems, Galmiche & Sons are here to help. We have over 60 years of experience in residential heating and air conditioning installation, maintenance, and repairs, serving the greater St. Louis area. Give us a call today or connect with us online to learn more about our expert HVAC maintenance services and find out what kind of dehumidifier is right for you.
