There are many valuable and useful appliances in the home that are relied on daily, making life easier and more comfortable. Although these appliances are considered a necessity for daily living and interaction with others, safeguarding the health of all inhabitants continues to draw national attention.

With invisible airborne particles including dust mites, pollen and mold spores permeating the air throughout the home linked to many common and serious illnesses, selection and proper operation of an appropriate dehumidifier has shown to drastically reduce possible common and serious health concerns. Determining the correct dehumidifier to meet a specific need or individual situation is vital in maintaining overall good health conditions throughout the home.

Without much thought, deliberation or provocation there remains a never-ending abundance of dehumidifiers to select from. Read carefully dehumidifier reviews to choose the correct dehumidifier for your home can be a daunting task in itself, however; selecting a dehumidifier that is inappropriate for an area to be covered is often a common error made by many consumers.

Where size is of greater importance than ever before, selecting the correctly sized dehumidifier is typically based on the following:

• Square footage of room. Measuring the Length (L) x Width (W) = total square footage of the area to be covered. Use this total square footage figure in selecting an appropriate dehumidifier.
• Present moisture. Optimal relative humidity in a home is normally between thirty (30%) percent to ninety percent (90%). Staying towards the lower end of the range during warmer ambient temperatures and the higher end of the spectrum during winter months is recommended. Average humidity levels range in the forty-percent (40%) range.
• Efficiency Rating. Consider those dehumidifiers that are Energy Star rated offering possible rebates. Depending on the humidity level in the home, most dehumidifiers will run continually until a pre-set, pre-determined amount of relative humidity is reached. Energy Star rated dehumidifiers use less energy and operate with greater efficiency.
• Capacity. Select a dehumidifier that is slightly larger in overall capacity than required. If considering a sixty (60) pint unit, purchase a seventy (70) pint unit. Larger units operate more efficiency with less overall energy consumption.

Where overall initial cost is often a decisive factor in the final selection process of an appropriate dehumidifier, purchasing a unit that is less expensive from unknown companies, over models of reputable companies is a poor decision with possible future failure implications. Spending a few additional dollars for a dehumidifier manufactured by a reputable company with a legacy of producing high-quality products is a good investment.

With increased technology offered on many home appliances, features offered on dehumidifiers also have undergone subsequent changes. Not all features offered on dehumidifiers are applicable to all particular home moisture and air purification situations. Buying a dehumidifier with features which are never or rarely used is the expenditure of funds spent needlessly.

Common features found on recent dehumidifier models that are most prevalent include:

• Correct coverage area based on square footage calculations.
• Twenty-four (24) hour programmable humidity settings.
• Fan speeds – Two-speed is common.
• Automatic on and off, with resetting capabilities in the event of power failure.
• Drainage options. Front collection bucket to continual drain
• Adjustable moisture settings from 30% to 90%
• Mobility with easy-roll caster wheels for easy movement from room to room
• Removable, washable reusable filter for easy cleaning.
• “Eco-friendly” to the environment with the use of R410A cooling refrigerant.
• Energy Star rated with possible rebates by manufacturers or utility companies.

A careful review of all applicable features on possibly selected models will determine which dehumidifier best fits a particular requirement. Comparison of all offered features will always produce the right and correct dehumidifier model based on the information gathered.

Implied warranties on dehumidifiers are often offered for a period not to exceed one (1) year. However, there remains one (1) manufacturer currently offering a two (2) year warranty on their extended line of high-quality dehumidifiers, including all parts and labor. One (1) year warranties cover necessary repairs as needed but may or may not include associated labor costs.

Always carefully read and comprehend all implied warranties in great detail to avoid feasible confusion when repairs are required. In addition, extended warranties are offered by some dehumidifier manufacturers costing less than one-hundred dollars ($100) with variable extension periods. Where most dehumidifiers operate for years without failures, costly repairs made after warranty expiration may well exceed far beyond the initial cost of the unit quickly.

Health concerns in the home will continue to escalate with increased levels. With due diligence and perseverance in selection of the correct dehumidifier for the home, protection of all inhabitants is guaranteed and assured.