Can a Dehumidifier Make You Sick?

When you use a dehumidifier, it helps remove excess moisture (like from a ventless dryer or washing machine running), which makes your house less conducive to allergens like dust mites, mold, and mildew. You will be able to spend less time cleaning your home when you reduce dust.

Knowing how a dehumidifier works, it’s pluses and minuses and the whether it can make you sick are important things to take into account when purchasing one! We hope this article helps you!

What’s the difference between a Humidifier and dehumidifier

If you didn’t know, humidifiers are used to add moisture to the air. Humidifiers are best used in the wintertime or in a very arid location like close to a desert (think Arizona, Dubai, Northern Texas). Dehumidifier consequently does the opposite of humidifier where it extracts the moisture out of air. The unit of measurement that both of tools run off is absolute humidity which measures grams of water vapor in the air in cubic meters.

Using a dehumidifier will also improve the efficiency of your air conditioner, which will save you money on electricity. Dehydration, respiratory discomfort, and other health issues can be caused by high humidity and poor air quality.

Enhanced asthma attacks, tiredness, sinuses issues, and mental exhaustion are also common symptoms. By using a dehumidifier, you can reduce discomfort and lower the humidity.

Can a Dehumidifier Make You Sick?

A dehumidifier may or may not work for everyone. Utilizing one in your home may have some unintended consequences. Although it has some advantages, there are also some disadvantages of dehumidifiers. Here are the 8 disadvantages of dehumidifiers that we can find!

1.Dry the air

Dry eyes, as well as the skin, can sometimes be caused by a lack of humidity, as those organs of our body require water to keep healthy.

Without it, the eyes become irritated and uncomfortable. Low temperatures can impact wooden furniture in the home, causing fractures and a loss of structural strength.

2.Sore Throat Issues

Dry air in your space can be one of the reasons for a chronic sore throat. However, dry air is sucked out of your home by air conditioners and heaters, which reduce humidity levels.

When you have a sore throat, the best thing you can do is keep your indoor air moist. Warm, salty water can also be gurgled. Every time you take a breath of dry air, you will feel discomfort.

It’s simpler to acquire a sore throat when the air is too dry than when the air is humidified. Furthermore, colds are made worse by dry air.

3.Cost of Electricity

When you run your dehumidifier for the whole day, this can cause a huge amount of electricity bill. To keep your energy bills under control, you need to select an energy-efficient air dehumidifier. While they won’t cost as much electricity as a portable heater, your bill can be considerable if you’re running a dehumidifier 24/7.

Less expensive dehumidifiers generally use more energy which causes higher energy costs. This means that while less-priced dehumidifiers could be cheaper, they will cost you more in the long term.

As a homeowner, you’ll need to balance the benefits of optimizing energy efficiency and having proper air dehumidifying.

Purchasing a high-end, energy-efficient dehumidifier can be a difficult option for those on a smaller budget. It’s crucial to consider the additional benefits and drawbacks of dehumidifiers before deciding whether or not to buy one.

4.Water Tank Issue

Regularly empty the unit’s water tank of your dehumidifier. If it is left for a longer period of time, mold can grow on the vessel. This can produce a range of health problems and allergic reactions.

You should also keep an eye on the humidity level in the air to make sure it doesn’t drop too low. While high humidity levels can cause breathing issues, low humidity levels can cause many health issues, including making you more prone to the flu and cold.

5.Noise Levels

Certain dehumidifiers can generate up to 50 decibels of noise. Some individuals think that the noises help them sleep faster and more calmly. If noises bother you at night, a dehumidifier could be an inconvenience.

A desiccant dehumidifier can be a good option if you’re worried about noise. A desiccant dehumidifier, in general, produces less noise. Furthermore, desiccant dehumidifiers have the disadvantage of being more expensive upfront and operating in the long run.

Whenever you buy a dehumidifier, make sure you know how much noise it makes. In the same way that cheaper units generate more energy, they also produce more noise. Therefore it’s worth investing in higher-end versions.

6.Heat Issue

Desiccant dehumidifiers can produce warmer air. It can produce air that is up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the air that goes in the dehumidifier. If your home is cold, this could reduce the amount of money on your heating cost.

However, if you reside in a hotter area, you should avoid desiccant dehumidifiers. Compressor dehumidifiers are a better option for you.

7.Maintenance

The dehumidifier’s water bucket isn’t the only thing that has to be washed and refilled. A dehumidifier is made up of many parts, all of which need to be cleaned on a routine basis. It occurs because the moisture in the air will accumulate inside them.

Check the exhaust grilles, filter, and coils regularly to make sure that they are clean and functioning correctly. Mold can grow inside a dehumidifier if this is not done. Your health will suffer as a result of this.

8.Headaches

Dry air is going to give you a headache. The mucus membranes in the nasal canals dry up, which causes sneezing and the feeling of being stuffy. As a result, the membranes become irritated and uncomfortable as more dry air travels over them.

As a consequence, headaches are the direct outcome of poor indoor air quality. Low humidity can also generate dry air because most items in the home off-gas when the air is dry. You could be startled to learn that building materials emit formaldehyde gas when the air is too dry.

If you inhale these, you could get headaches. Other seemingly innocuous things can cause headaches too. Such as window curtains, shower curtains, and wall paint, which could contain dangerous compounds. As a result, they can release these compounds, albeit in trace amounts which causes headaches.

Are Dehumidifiers Really Dangerous?

Dehumidifiers are pretty safe to use. Water leaks and fire threats have been avoided by installing safety measures. The critical thing to be concerned about is the humidity in your home becoming too high or too low. If you measure the humidity level of your room just like in general, then using a dehumidifier. Most dehumidifiers are used to reduce the growth of mold by taking the moisture out of air, leaving the air dryer and less musty.

Wrapping Up

Dehumidifiers are an excellent tool for lowering the humidity in your home. They can help you keep your home’s temperature acceptable during high humidity seasons. They’re also great for eliminating allergens like mold spores and dust mites, flourishing in humid environments. They do have drawbacks, just like any other device. Generally, you must clean it by keeping the water tank empty. Then cleaning the machine on a regular basis to prevent mold and germs from building on them.

Frequently asked questions about dehumidifiers

Can dehumidifiers have side effects?

Yes, there are a number of side effects that dehumidifiers can have on users. Sickness, irritation and dry eyes are some of the many common side effects. Since many different dehumidifier products exist, always read the manufacture instructions on how to use your dehumidifier and cases on when to de-continue use. While dehumidifiers may be good for season allergy symptoms, over usage can cause ailments like dry skin and coughing.

Are dehumidifiers good for allergies?

Dehumidifiers can help reduce allergy symptoms and decrease the amount mold, dust mites and mildew circulating in the air, thereby allowing you to breath cleaner air. However, like anything – over usage may be detrimental to you and your family, so consult your manufacturer’s instructions for best practices.

Can dehumidifier help with COPD?

Yes, COPD symptoms can worsen when there are high levels of humidity. Therefore, due to dehumidifier’s reducing indoor humidity – it makes sense that it can help alleviate the symptoms of COPD. Read more about COPD and humidity on MedicalNewsToday.com.