Brandi Everett 
A dehumidifier is an electrical appliance that helps to keep the humidity levels of a room in check. If you have noticed some signs of damp or moulds on the walls or windows of your office room, you might need to invest in a portable dehumidifier for your office as this can help reduce the signs and also make the air more breathable. You can buy it for health or comfort reasons as it helps in maintaining the level of humidity in the air hence, promoting the air quality in your office room.
Dehumidifiers are easy to use and they do a brilliant job of removing water from the air and making the room less damp. There are two major types of dehumidifiers: refrigerant and desiccant. The refrigerant, which is also known as compressor, draws in air through a filter and it is often suited for use during high temperatures and humidity. This is the best option for a small office room. On the other hand, a desiccant dehumidifier does not have a compressor and is mostly used in large office rooms, homes and even warehouses.
Why do you need a dehumidifier in an office?
There are many reasons you might need to buy a dehumidifier for your office room. Some of them include:
- Prevent mould
Mould appears on walls or ceilings as a result of high level of humidity. A dehumidifier can help control the occurrence of mould by lowering the humidity level of the office room.
- Get rid of bad or musky smell
If you start noticing a stale smell in your office room, it could because the air needs some quality cleaning. The use of a dehumidifier will help to remove the bad smell.
- Prevent damp
If your office room is always damp, a dehumidifier can help to get rid of it.
- Help allergic reactions
If your office room is damp and you are asthmatic, it might lead to an allergic reaction. Also, dust mites tend to thrive in humid environment and if you are allergic, you might want to consider buying a dehumidifier.
- Prevent the damage of wood
Consistent condensation on the windows of your office can lead to the damage of wood. By using a dehumidifier, you can help to protect the wood.
When do you need a dehumidifier in an office?
You might want to consider buying a dehumidifier when you start noticing some of these signs in your office:
- Consistent condensation on your windows
- Mould and dark spots on the walls and ceilings
- Stains of water on walls
- When the wood in your office is soft to touch
- A musty smell
- Poor ventilation
Why do offices tend to get damp and mouldy?
Offices tend to get damp and mouldy when the humidity level is high. Mould appears when there is excessive dampness or moisture in the office room. Another reason is damaged ceilings or windows or leaking pipes. Any kind of damage to the parts of the office room which can allow rain into the room can cause the room to be mouldy. Inadequate ventilation or too much condensation can cause your office room to be damp and mouldy. Poor ventilation of your office room can result in the build up of condensation which in turn can cause mould.
What are the benefits of a dehumidifier in an office?
If your office environment is humid and you start to notice mould, dust mites, and other kinds of fungus on your wall or ceilings, you might want to consider buying a dehumidifier as a good one can help in multiple ways.
- Dehumidifiers help to reduce the level of humidity in the air. This results in the prevention of moulds, dust mites and other unpleasant fungus.
- They help to get rid of musty and unpleasant smell in your office.
- Dehumidifiers make the air in your office more breathable and this makes your enjoy ease and comfort. A good dehumidifier will improve the air quality in your office. It also reduces skin irritation and allergic reactions as mould and dust mites will no longer be able to thrive in your office once the humidity level is maintained.
- By buying a dehumidifier in your office, you will have less cleaning to do. It will help reduce the dirt in your office room.
- A good dehumidifier runs silently and effectively. It does not produce disturbing sounds and you can enjoy your work environment.
- A good dehumidifier does not cause corrosion or oxidation on devices such as your PC or other electronic appliances.
- A dehumidifier enables higher energy efficiency and it reduces energy costs. It also improves the life span of your HVAC as it enables it to work more efficiently.
Are dehumidifiers effective at keeping office air clean and damp free?
You might want to know if a dehumidifier really works before you buy one. The answer is YES, it is effective in keeping office air clean and damp free. As it improves the quality of air, reduces condensation and improves ventilation, the office becomes damp free and mould free.
However, the air circulation of the office room and the humidity levels of the surrounding outdoor environment may affect the effectiveness of the dehumidifier. The size of the dehumidifier also determines its effectiveness in keeping the office air clean and damp free. Placing a portable dehumidifier in a large office room will reduce its effectiveness. Also, if your office room is located in the basement, the dehumidifier will be more effective than when it is located on the upper floors. This is because the air circulation in the basement is less impacted by outdoor humidity compared to the air circulation on the upper floors. The effectiveness of a dehumidifier also depends on the temperature of the room. It is more effective in removing moisture from the air on warm days compared to cool and humid days.
In addition, the quality of the dehumidifier is also of utmost importance. Some models are inferior to others. Before you buy one, you can read customer reviews or comparison guides to learn more about the effectiveness of various models of dehumidifiers.
Is it expensive to purchase a dehumidifier for offices?
The cost of a dehumidifier depends on the size, capacity, brand and model that you want to buy. If you want to buy a small dehumidifier for a small office room, it might cost approximately $40 to $70. Such humidifiers can extract around 10 – 25 pints per day. You can buy a small one if your office is damp and not wet. Medium dehumidifiers are perfect for medium office rooms. They can remove around 30 – 50 pints per day. They can cover a wider range of humidity levels than small ones but they cost around $100 to $250 or more.
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
There are some factors that determine the cost of running a dehumidifier. Some of them include the size, capacity, model, and the number of hours it is running. Some models consume more energy than others.
Unless your office is overly damp or has high levels of humidity, it will be unadvisable to leave it running for 24 hours a day as this will result in a waste of electricity. If you buy a fairly good humidifier, it should get rid of moisture within 5-6 hours. If you are concerned about the running cost of a dehumidifier, you might want to consider buying an energy efficient one.
It is important to note that compressor dehumidifiers are more cost efficient to run than desiccant dehumidifiers. This is because desiccant systems make use of hot air when extracting water from the desiccant material.
Maintenance of a dehumidifier
- Replace the air filter at least once in 6 months
- Remove the water in the water tank after every use
- Clean it regularly with a cloth
