Disadvantages of a Dehumidifier

Are you thinking about buying a dehumidifier? Perhaps your home is feeling stuffy as we head into the summer months, and you’ve been told that a dehumidifier will help solve your humid problems?

Air dehumidifiers take the moisture out of a home’s air which helps reduce humidity. This can aid us in many ways, but what are the disadvantages of dehumidifiers? Are they as helpful as they seem, or do they cause more harm than good?

Dehumidifier Disadvantages & Side-effects

Disadvantages of a Dehumidifier

The main disadvantage of a dehumidifier is the electricity consumption due to its continuous use. The other disadvantages include noise, dry air, hot room temperature, and the need for regular cleaning and maintenance. Extreme dry air can also have the side effects such as dry throat, nose, and skin irritation.

So, is a dehumidifier worth it? Let’s find out..

Cost of Electricity

One of the most significant drawbacks of dehumidifiers is their cost, or more specifically, their electricity cost. This is because dehumidifiers are typically left on 24/7, which can quickly cause the electricity bill to rack up every month!

To combat this, you must buy an energy-efficient air dehumidifier.

As a rule of thumb, you can keep in mind that cheaper dehumidifiers typically use up more energy and cause higher bills. This means that while more affordable dehumidifiers may be inexpensive upfront, they’re costlier in the long run.

The alternative option is to buy a high-end energy-efficient dehumidifier. The upfront cost may be higher, but this option is overall cheaper if you consider the running costs.

Investing in a high-end dehumidifier that’s energy-efficient can be a difficult decision to make for those with a tighter budget. It’s therefore essential you weigh the other pros and cons of dehumidifiers before deciding if you need to purchase one.

Noise Levels

The humming noise dehumidifiers make is another considerable drawback.

It’s no secret that many devices make background noises while running, but this may become annoying if you leave the dehumidifier on at night. Some dehumidifiers can produce noise as loud as 20 to 50 dB.

Some people find that the noises help them sleep quicker and more peacefully, but if noises are an issue for you at night, having a dehumidifier may be a nuisance.

You could consider a desiccant dehumidifier if you’re concerned the noise may be a problem. On average, a desiccant dehumidifier creates less noise. However, a drawback to desiccant dehumidifiers is that they’re typically more expensive upfront and more costly to run in the long term.

Before buying a dehumidifier, you should check how much noise it creates. Like energy efficiency, cheaper units typically produce more noise, so it’s worth investing in high-end models.

Heat

Is it me, or is it getting warm in here?…

Desiccant dehumidifiers typically produce warmer air. The air it makes can be up to 50 °F warmer than the air that went in.

If your house is relatively cold, this could be advantageous for you and even help you save money on your heating bill.

But, it’s a good idea to steer clear of desiccant dehumidifiers if you live in a hotter climate. Instead, you may want to opt for compressor dehumidifiers.

Dry Air

Another issue that dehumidifiers cause is that they make the air drier.

This can worsen conditions like pneumonia and eczema, so having a dehumidifier at home may not be the best idea. The dry air can also negatively affect your skin and hair.

Another instance in which it’s best to avoid getting a dehumidifier is if you live in a dry climate like a desert or an area with a high altitude. Having a dehumidifier would only exacerbate this dry climate.

Maintenance

Dehumidifiers require two forms of regular maintenance that can be a hassle at times.

Cleaning and maintaining dehumidifier

The first form of maintenance is emptying the water tank.

Your dehumidifier’s water tank could need emptying anywhere from once a week to twice a day, depending on the model.
This level of frequency can feel monotonous and take up a lot of time. To avoid this, you can buy a unit with a continuous drain hose. This way, the dehumidifier never needs to be emptied as the water immediately goes to the drain.

The second form of maintenance is cleaning the filter.

As time goes by, the filter will need to be cleaned. Again, you can check the manufacturer’s instructions to find out how. Similar to your air condition, cleaning and replacing the filters at regular intervals is a must to avoid mold and bacteria growth.

FAQ

Is it bad to sleep with a dehumidifier on?

No, it’s safe to sleep with a dehumidifier on. It can actually help you sleep more comfortably, especially if your room is very humid. Having the humidifier on will improve the air quality and aid your breathing, comfort, and allergies.

Can a dehumidifier make you sick?

Using a dehumidifier during winter can potentially make you sick. This is because humidity levels are already low, so if you use the dehumidifier, this can create or worsen health issues.

Low humidity levels can also dry out the natural barrier in your respiratory tract, which can make you more vulnerable to colds and the flu.

Healthy skin and eyes also require natural moisture, so using a dehumidifier during winter can dry out your skin, sinuses, and eyes and cause irritation.

Certain viruses also thrive in low humidity levels, so using a dehumidifier during winter can put your health at further risk.

Can a dehumidifier make you feel dehydrated?

It’s unlikely that you will become dehydrated because of a dehumidifier. If you feel dehydrated, it’s likely to do with low water consumption, and you should aim to drink more throughout the day.