Do You Need a
Whole Home Dehumidifier?


Did you know you could purchase a whole home dehumidifier to reduce humidity in your home and prevent the growth of toxic mold? Many people are familiar with portable dehumidifiers that control moisture in one area of the home, but for those with humidity or mold problems throughout the house, a whole house dehumidifier may be a better option. Many people also find these dehumidifiers more convenient to use than portable dehumidifiers because there is no water bucket that must be emptied regularly.

Do You Need a Whole Home Dehumidifier?

If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, you should consider a whole house dehumidifier.

  • Does your home smell musty most of the time?
  • Does the air in your home feel heavy and damp?
  • Have you discovered mold growing in your home?
  • Do any of the walls in your home “sweat?”
  • Do you see condensation on any pipes in your home?
  • Can you see water stains on any walls or ceilings in your home?
  • Do you or any of your family members suffer from allergies to things like dust or mold?

How Does a Whole House Dehumidifier Work?

Entire house dehumidifiers are installed as part of your home’s existing heating and cooling system. They pull in air from every room in the house through the air ducts, remove the moisture from the air, then return dry air to every room. If you have central air conditioning, a whole house dehumidifier will help it function more efficiently by keeping the humidity in the house low. Even when you are not using your air conditioner, the dehumidifier will still run and keep the humidity in your home at the level you select. Most people want to keep the humidity below 50 percent in order to prevent the growth of mold in the home, but entire house dehumidifiers allow you to select whatever level of humidity you feel is right for you and your family.

How Much Does a Whole Home Dehumidifier Cost?

The cost of a whole home dehumidifier varies depending on a number of factors, including the brand, capacity (how many pints of water the dehumidifier can extract from the air over a 24 hour period) and any special features. Most sell for somewhere between $1000 and $1500, though some cost less and some cost more. Special features include things like filters that remove common allergens and bacteria from the air and controls that allow you to dehumidify the whole house or only certain areas of the house depending on the options you select.

Installing a Whole House Dehumidifier

While portable dehumidifiers require no installation beyond plugging them in, a whole home dehumidifier is a different matter. Because they must be connected to the existing heating and cooling system in the home, we recommend calling an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) specialist to do the job. Some states require HVAC contractors to be licensed by the state but some states do not. Laws and regulations vary from state to state and sometimes even from city to city within the same state.

When hiring an HVAC specialist, ask if he is licensed or certified by any governing board, what type of training he had, whether or not he graduated from an accredited school with a degree or certificate in heating, ventilation and air conditioning and how much experience he has on the job. You can also ask for references so you can speak to some previous customers to find out if they were satisfied with the work they had done. You can click on this link to find a Qualified HVAC Contractor in your area.




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