Power Tools Every DIYer Needs
Every DIYer needs essential power tools to see them through their home improvement projects. Here at HSS, we can help you put together the perfect toolbox so you'll have all the power tools you need.
Is your property feeling damp and dreary? Do you need to get rid of that musty smell in the air? Are you worried about mould and mildew growing in your home or workplace? Do you have a freshly plastered room that isn’t drying out? Have you recently experienced a leak or flooding?
If so, then a dehumidifier might be the answer.
If you're looking at using a dehumidifier at home or work, you may have some questions such as:
In this guide, we take you through the whats, whys, wheres and whens of dehumidifiers so that you can make the right choice and get the most out of the device.
If you're looking for a fast solution to moisture at home or in the workplace, hire a dehumidifier from HSS today!
Dehumidifiers are appliances that remove excess moisture from the air. They're designed to help reduce mildew and mould, which can trigger allergy symptoms and cause respiratory problems. They can also help prevent damage to wooden furniture and other items in your home by reducing the amount of moisture in the air.
There are various different types and sizes of dehumidifiers for various situations. From compact units to larger industrial units. It's important to consider the features and benefits of each to determine the right option for your building.
Here are the main types of dehumidifiers used for moisture removal in domestic, industrial and commercial settings.
These models are generally suited to more severe damp problems and can remove a greater volume of moisture. They are:
One of the most typical types of dehumidifiers that you will encounter on the market is a refrigerant dehumidifier. Refrigerant models are typically used in homes and small businesses, as they are less expensive to run than other models. The primary benefit of a refrigerant-based dehumidifier is that it does not require special installation or maintenance.
Like air conditioners, they work by removing warm air from your home, but they do not expel it outside.
In compressor dehumidifiers, humid ambient air is drawn across cooling coils by a fan. As a result of these cold metal pipes, the air's water instantly condenses. Water is then condensed into the reservoir (or down the hose pipe if you have one), while cold air is mixed with heat exhaust and expelled.
A desiccant unit removes moisture from the air by using desiccant material. The use of a desiccant dehumidifier is particularly useful after a leak or flooding - it can reduce the risk of further water damage and mould growth. They are:
As opposed to compressor dehumidifiers, which have been much more common over the last few decades, desiccant dehumidifiers are quite different. Let's take a quick look at how they work to understand their differences.
Instead of drawing in the air through a filter, compressor dehumidifiers pass it through cold coils similar to those in a refrigerator. Water condenses in the coils and drips down into a separate section of the unit as the air passes through. Once the remaining air has been conditioned, it is blown back into the room, now moisture-free.
Where temperature control is vital, such as in industrial spaces preparing food, a desiccant dehumidifier is an ideal and reliable solution.
Now that you have a basic understanding of the features of the two main dehumidifiers, it's time to compare them against your needs and requirements. It's difficult to differentiate between the two and select the right solution, so we're here to help.
Put simply, the best way to look at the difference is:
To analyse the two options on a deeper level, you should evaluate:
Larger scale damp and moisture problems can be addressed with larger dehumidifier units - both refrigerant-based and desiccant-based. It might be a better idea to opt for a smaller, portable model if you are just looking for something to reduce dampness in your home. If you want to focus the attention of your dehumidifier on another area in the home, some dehumidifiers are pretty compact, making it easy to relocate them.
Room dehumidifiers shouldn't just be selected solely based on their capacity and size. Your room's conditions should also be considered when finding the best solution.
Take a look at the conditions of the space. If there's a minimal amount of dampness in the room(s), you may be better off choosing a smaller portable dehumidifier. You'll identify the right size for your space by looking at the rated capacity for your square footage.
On the other hand, a wetter space will require a large capacity unit in order to effectively reduce humidity and dry the area quickly. If you need help figuring out the humidity level of the space, try using a hygrometer to monitor it.
Are you looking to hire equipment from HSS and not sure how to use it? You’re not alone. Dampness affects many homeowners and business owners, particularly after water damage, and it can be extremely difficult to get rid of without the right equipment.
That’s why we have put together this step by step guide on how to use a dehumidifier for the best results when eliminating mould and excess humidity from your home.
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Firstly, it’s worth noting that the most effective place to position a dehumidifier is in the centre of a room. This allows the air to circulate properly around the unit. The only time when this positioning can be disregarded is if the unit has a top-mounted air discharge. In this case, it can be placed against the wall.
Once you've plugged your dehumidifier in and placed it in a suitable place, locate any settings, buttons and the LED screen. Ideally, your home should have a relative humidity level between 30% and 50%. Your home may suffer from extreme dryness if these levels are below this range, while bacteria may flourish if these levels are above this range.
You can monitor the humidity level either by using a hygrometer or by using the LED screen on the control panel of your dehumidifier. Manual dehumidifiers can be switched to lower settings when the humidity level drops.
If you have an automatic dehumidifier that has energy-saving settings, simply set it to its highest setting and leave it to switch to its most efficient setting as the humidity level declines.
You should carefully read the manual that comes with the type of unit you hire, some come with auto-adjust settings that change as the temperature/humidity changes. Some also have a timer on them to ensure the device is not running for too long unnecessarily.
In the event your dehumidifier has a continuous drainage function that you'd like to use, attach the hose according to the instruction manual.
In gravity-driven systems, run the hose down; in motorised systems, run it up. Keep the hose straight and free of kinks.
You can force water down by cutting a small hole about 30cm away from the dehumidifier in the top of the hose if the water is not flowing through the hose properly.
Dehumidifiers must be maintained and cared for regularly to function properly. When you maintain the unit and allow it to properly dehumidify the air, the unit will perform better. Don't forget to:
Our drying packs at HSS come with an air mover. We suggest using this to maximise the performance of your dehumidifier and speed up the drying process. You should place the air mover in a suitable position that best reaches the wet area. Fortunately, the moveable outlet enables users to adjust direction where required.
Aside from the health benefits and general improvement of air quality, dehumidifiers are the perfect solution in many scenarios. Not sure if you need one? Take a look at the reasons below to determine whether or not one of these units would be a good for your building or room.
As the temperature drops outside, you may notice that your home's level of humidity increases. You might even notice condensation on windows or a musty smell in your basement. High humidity levels can cause mould and mildew growth, which can be unhealthy for you and your family.
During colder temperature, water vapour in the air condenses into liquid droplets when it comes into contact with something colder than itself - like your windows or walls. This happens because as the temperature continues to drop and the air becomes even more saturated with water vapour, the amount of condensation increases.
So even though it may be dry outside, that doesn't mean that there won't be some moisture inside your home.
Plus, a dehumidifier can often help to keep the cold out, thus reducing your heating bills!
Dust mites are present in many homes in the UK, no matter how clean your house might be. If they do become troublesome and trigger allergy symptoms, then you may be desperate to get rid of them. They thrive in warm, humid rooms, and are one of the leading causes of allergies. They’re also notoriously difficult to get rid of: if you don’t treat your home for them, they can remain active for up to six months after vacuuming.
That’s why it’s so important to use a dehumidifier! By removing excess moisture from the air, you’ll make it much less suitable for dust mite growth and therefore much easier to keep them at bay.
After a flooding, drying and pumping equipment is essential in recovering the state of the building. Dehumidifiers are just one of the ways you can dry the area quickly and efficiently.
Removing excess water is paramount to prevent the growth of mildew and mould, this is best done with a high capacity dehumidifier as soon as the event has happened. Commercial dehumidifiers handle bigger areas and reduce humidity levels rapidly in around 24 to 48 hours (room size dependent).
The additional moisture in the air is removed by the dehumidifier unit. This causes it to condense within the unit for safe disposal, ultimately eliminating or reducing dampness in the affected building.
Having a lingering musty smell in the home or workplace can be a telltale sign of mould and damp growing within the building. This could be present in cellars or basements. The route of the cause should be detected promptly, as it could be a structural issue or a blocked vent.
Once the problem has been identified and eliminated, the smell can be drastically reduced with a dehumidifier. Some ranges include a handy carbon filter designed to remove musty odours.
Dehumidifiers are an essential tool for improving indoor air quality and eliminating dampness, mould and excess moisture. If you’ve got a damp or mouldy space in your home or office, then it’s time to hire a dehumidifier from HSS!
We have suitable units for commercial spaces, offices, homes and construction sites. Simply explore our equipment available to hire and place your order. We’ll ship it out to you as early as the next day!
If you need any help with your dehumidifier hire, please don’t hesitate to speak to a member of our friendly team at your local HSS branch.
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