Last Updated: February 26, 2024
Is humidity making your crawl space a free vacation spot for mold, mildew, and all their nasty friends? Are you looking for the perfect solution? Well, your search is over!
A house requires your close attention at most times, and without it, problems begin to emerge. Now, if you are a numbers guy, you know, one plus one, is never under two. More clearly, if you ignore one problem, it might cause more to spring up. The humidity levels in your home are also one of the things that require your close attention. Too low, and it’s a problem, too high, well, that’s also a problem.
So, whether it’s seasonal, geographical, or any other factor that’s messing up the ideal humidity levels in your home (30-50 %), you need to fix the problem right away. Now, if you have low humidity in your home, you can get home a Humidifier. In case the problem is the excess of moisture, the ideal solution for that is a Dehumidifier.
Now, you have a dehumidifier, and your home is secure, or at least you think so. But, are you sure that every corner is safe from high humidity? If so, think again!
What is a Crawl Space?
Crawl space is the ramp for your home, as it provides support to the whole structure that is your home. It is an essential part of many houses, and in a way, it is a stand-in for the more expensive basement. If you want to make your home, but don’t want to include the basement in your design, a crawl space is a perfect way to go.
Crawl space is not just the tool to stand on for your home, however, as it is also useful for a lot of other things.
- Crawl space is the perfect way to go when you don’t want to go for the more expensive basement. It is also more practical than having a concrete slab foundation in its stead.
- It provides easy access to heating and cooling systems, electrical wiring, repair plumbing, insulation, etc., without having to excavate.
- If you are building in a damp or Special Flood Hazard Areas, it provides a helpful separation between the ground and your casa, especially if the wood is involved in the construction.
- Crawl space is also useful for Radon mitigation.
- It can also come in handy for storing various items that are not particularly damage- prone with fluctuating temperature, mold, mildew, and similar conditions.
So, having a crawl space makes a lot of sense. And, when you have a crawl space, you need to keep an eye on this part of your home as well.
What is a crawl space dehumidifier and why do you need it?
Because your crawl space is underneath your home, this space can get neglected very easily. The crawl space usually has bad moisture conditions, and high levels of humidity can lead to mold and mildew formation, along with a lot of other complications. It not only poses a threat to the structural integrity of the whole house, but there is also a chance that the wiring and other fixings that are in there can be damaged. If you’re storing something in there, that can also be damaged. For solving this problem, your ideal solution is a crawl space dehumidifier.
Your crawl space has a unique design with its low structure, and it has different requirements than your bedroom or the living room. If you want to access it, you cannot just walk in and take a stroll. That’s why there are dehumidifiers in the market, which are specifically for your crawl space, and are the most efficient option if you’re ever in need of it. As these spaces are low, the design of crawl space dehumidifier reflects that. They can be longer than the typical room dehumidifiers, but the height of these dehumidifiers is more suitable for the structure that they’re there to dehumidify.
Can dehumidifiers prevent mold formation?
How to get the right Crawl Space Dehumidifier?
There are a couple of things that you can consider when you’re looking for a crawl space dehumidifier to find the one that’s ideal for your space. Let’s have a look!
Manufacturer
You should always get your products from a trustworthy source, so you don’t have to worry about bringing home faulty, weakly constructed, non- durable, problematic models. It is also convenient as you can always find replaceable parts and trustworthy customer service with a good manufacturer.
Type of the Dehumidifier
There are so many different types available for you to choose from, and depending on your requirements, you can identify the ideal option for your crawl space. For example, if you are in an area with low temperatures, a desiccant dehumidifier is perfect. You can also choose a refrigerant dehumidifier.
Coverage
Not every crawl space is similar, and depending on the overall dimensions of your crawl space, you can determine which of the dehumidifiers will be the right fit for your crawl space. You don’t want to get a dehumidifier that does not provide coverage to the entirety of your crawl space. A smaller unit will have to work extra hard to cover the area, and that will consume a lot of energy. It might not even be able to do its job correctly. A bigger model, on the other hand, maybe overkill.
Other Specifications
Along with the coverage, you should also look into other specifications of your crawl space dehumidifier. The weight and dimensions of the product, its temperature range, the amount of moisture it can extract, all these are essential things to consider. Especially the capacity and extraction rate determine how effective any particular model will be in your crawl space. If you’re in a particularly humid area, you need a model with an equally effective extraction rate and capacity, regardless of its coverage.
Special Features
There are also a lot of exclusive features that make a dehumidifier more convenient for users. A dehumidifier with proper drainage features like a pump is better than one with a bucket. A dehumidifier that has Anti-corrosion coils and a heating system is suitable for low temperatures. An energy-efficient and silent dehumidifier is also something most users want for their space.
Budget
Budget is the main factor in determining which dehumidifier users are going to get for their crawl space. When you’re deciding your final estimate, make sure to include installation charges, and also keep in mind the maintenance fees that your dehumidifier is going to incur in the future. That way, you can get a clearer picture of what your investment means for you.
Conclusion
Your crawl space is a significant part of the house, and it requires a similar level of attention as the rest of the house. It is prone to high humidity, leaks, flooding, and a crawl space dehumidifier is just the thing to keep it in shape despite all these conditions.
Determining which dehumidifier to take home will require you to assess your crawl space properly. Find out its dimensions, the amount of humidity that needs to be removed every day, and you’ll be at the start line.
We wish you all the very best with your search!