Best Dehumidifiers For Mold And Mildew 2022

How Do You Know If Mold Or Mildew Is Making You Sick?

Living with mold and mildew can make you sick and can be dangerous to one's health. As there are many types of mold in a home, the level of exposure and toxicity will vary from every family member. Through inhaling, ingesting, or touching, a person might experience allergic reactions such as:

• Stuffy nose, Sinusitis
• Cough, Postnasal drip coughing
• Bloodshot eyes, Watery eyes
• Sore throat
• Rashness, Blister, Eczema
• Itchy skin, throat, and nose
• Muscle ache, Joint pain, Abdominal cramps
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Night sweats, Abnormal body temperature
• Static shocks
• Dehydration, Frequent urination
• Loss of appetite, Bloated, Diarrhea
• Nausea, Vomit
• Bad metallic taste, Burning sensation in the mouth

The symptoms might be gone within hours to even days depending on how sensitive a person is with mold or mildew. If you have mold allergies, you might even endure breathing problems such as:

• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Breathing Difficulty

Mold can also affect your brain and state of mind such as:

• Migraine, Vertigo
• Mood swings
• Disorientation
• Loss of interest
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Forgetfulness, Poor memory
• Fatigue, Tiredness
• Malaise
• Hallucinations
• Depression

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prolonged exposure to mold especially black mold can cause mold poisoning. Black mold releases harmful mycotoxins substances that when inhaled, it can lead to respiratory and other issues such as:

• Conjunctivitis, Uveitis, Blurry vision
• Hemorrhage, Low blood pressure, Blood clotting, Bone marrow disruption
• Weaken immune system, Autoimmune disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Heart inflammation, Irregular heartbeat
• Partial or complete paralysis
• Epilepsy, Stroke
• Parkinson's disease
• Infertility, Impotence, Fetal development problems, Miscarriage, SIDS
• Weight loss including Anorexia, Hair loss, Hearing loss
• Respiratory tract damage
• Aggravate asthma
• Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, Pulmonary edema, COPD, Lung cancer
• Abnormal liver, Liver cancer

How to Choose Dehumidifier Size

To choose the right dehumidifier, you will need to measure your room size and the dampness level. The right size dehumidifier is very important as it ensures the entire room dampness can be reduced to prevent mold growth. The higher capacity a dehumidifier is, the more room space a dehumidifier can cover. As such, a 70-pint dehumidifier will always be a safer choice because it covers more ground than a 50-pint dehumidifier. Below is the table to help you decide what dehumidifier is needed based on the room size and humidity level.

What Is the Ideal Relative Humidity To Prevent Mold And Mildew?

50% would be the ideal relative humidity level to prevent mold and mildew growth while maintaining good quality air. But do not be too fixated with the numbers as anything between the range of 30% to 50% would also stop the fungus. Mold and mildew thrive best in a very damp environment with at least 60% relative humidity. We highly recommend you to get a hygrometer or dehumidifier with a humidity reader to constantly monitor and maintain the room dampness level.

Should I Run a Dehumidifier in The Winter?

There is no harm running a dehumidifier in the winter or on cold temperatures as long as it is above the recommended 65 °F degrees. Most dehumidifiers will have a defrost mechanism that prevents ice buildup on the coil. The device will automatically shut down when the room temperature drops below 65 °F degrees. Keep in mind that the humidity level during the winter is usually on the lower side so there is no need for a dehumidifier.

What To Look for In a Mold Dehumidifier?

All dehumidifiers can remove moisture that is critically needed for mold to survive. Some offer the convenience of use but will have to sacrifice on the flexibility. Some will do a better job with its high moisture capturing capacity but at a trade-off in cost. After countless of hours reviewing hundreds of dehumidifier, these are the key features that would matter to you the most. Go through the list carefully to ensure you get the best out of a dehumidifier for mold.

• Dimension and weight - An important factor that is often overlooked. In theory, a single big bulky dehumidifier can cover multiple rooms but in reality, it is ineffective. A smaller unit would be better if you have limited room space like a bedroom, basement, or crawlspace. Moving a small dehumidifier from room to room is also much easier due to the lighter weight. That said, a 30-pint dehumidifier is normally our threshold between performance and portability. You will only need to sacrifice minimal capacity and water tank size while still retaining most of the functionality.
• Capacity (coverage) - The higher the capacity, the more moisture the dehumidifier can capture a day in a much wider area. Measure the room size that you need it to humidify and go with a unit that can support that. If you are unsure that is the overall room size, always go with a higher pint unit i.e. 70-pint unit rather than a smaller one i.e. 30-pint.
• Water tank capacity - The higher the dehumidifier capacity, the bigger the water tank it will be. This is to accommodate the higher volume of water that will be collected in the reservoir. The frequency of you needed to empty the water will be way less if the dehumidifier is running at a slower fan speed.
• Continuous drain option - A convenience mode that will save you a lot of time and effort in emptying the water tank. Continuous drain mode will pump the water straight to a drain or sink via a garden hose. This will also prevent the dehumidifier from shutting down when the water tank is full. For models that do not have a built-in pump, you will need to position the dehumidifier at a higher ground to allow the water to flow out via gravity.
• Noise level - Dehumidifiers can generate a fair bit of noise through the fan and the compressor especially at a higher speed. Some models are more suitable for night use as it produces slightly lower decibels output. If you want a completely silent operation, go with a thermoelectric dehumidifier that uses Peltier technology to dehumidify the air.
• Power consumption - The lower the dehumidifier capacity, the lower power output it will use. Statistically, you can save up to $120 electricity bills annually. Ideal for long hours of operation. If you need an energy conservative model, look for Energy Star certified dehumidifier.
• Auto shut-off - Automatically stop the dehumidifier from functioning when the water tank is full to prevent overflow.
• Auto-restart - Automatically restart the dehumidifier after a power outage so there is no disruption on the operation. All but mini dehumidifiers have this feature.
• Auto-defrost - Built-in sensors that prevent ice build-up thus allows the dehumidifier to operate at a low temperature. Not available in mini dehumidifiers.
• Humidistat - Displays the current humidity level and allows you to program your desire humidity settings.
• Permanent filter - A washable filter that blocks airborne impurities like dust and debris from damaging the dehumidifier. As the filter is washable, you can reuse it over and over again without having to worry about the replacement cost. Just remember to clean the filter when the Filter clean LED indicator lights up.
• Timer - Most dehumidifiers come with a pre-set timer that you can set to limit the runtime. Perfect for night use or before you leave work.
• Fan speeds - Most dehumidifiers come with 2 to 3 speeds that you can select to manage the airflow output and noise generated.
• Pricing - A mini thermoelectric dehumidifier should not cost more than $100. A 30-pint dehumidifier should be below the $200 price point while a 50-pint dehumidifier should not be more than $300. Our limit for a 70-pint dehumidifier is below $400 mark depending on the brand reputation and track record.
• Warranty and durability - Never underestimate the importance of a warranty. Most dehumidifiers have a decent lifespan even with continuous hours of operation. A warranty will protect you from receiving a lemon unit that malfunction after a couple of months. Study what does the warranty cover such as the moving parts, labors, and does it comes with a 1-to-1 exchange policy. Make sure the brand has a service center nearby for you to send for fixing in case the dehumidifier broke down. Also, never attempt to repair the machine by yourself as it will void the warranty.