Dehumidifying is important in several circumstances. Whether you live in a humid area or you have parts of your home that trap moisture, it’s essential to deploy a dehumidifier for safety, comfort, health, and the long life of your home. But how does a dehumidifier work? This video explains how.
A dehumidifier is, essentially, an air conditioner that has been turned on its side.
Have you ever noticed how water drips from an air conditioner when it’s running? That’s because moisture in the air condenses onto cold surfaces. That’s why dew forms on leaves in the morning and it’s why air conditioners produce water.
With an air conditioner, the cold surface is the purpose, and the condensation is a waste product. With a dehumidifier, the condensation is the purpose and the cold surface is how the condensation is produced.
A dehumidifier simply draws air through a filter onto a series of tubes that are chilled to a low temperature. Water condenses on these tubes and then drips down into the collection tray, where it can be used for other purposes. The filtered and dried air is then recirculated back into the home.
The water that comes from a dehumidifier is clean and clear of contaminants, so there is no reason why it can’t be used for cleaning, ironing clothes, watering plants, or for any other purpose desired. This water contains no calcium, which makes it especially useful in “hard water” areas.
