Do I need a dehumidifier? If so, what type?

lemon26

Hi all!

Hopefully I'll be able to gets ome advice please for around the house. I live in the Scottish Islands in a 1890s farm house which has a quite a large patch of damp in the kitchen / diner by the window. I had re-sealed under the window as it looked like the old mortar had crumbled away, and it appears to have stopped the water coming in. However, the wallpaper's peeled off and the plasterboard has that 'wet dog' smell, although there's no mould etc.

We also dry out washing in the room (with the windows open) as it's the only room large enough and it's usually too window / wet to hang it outdoors, although we do when we can. We also have the window open when we're cooking as the kitchen arrangement at present precludes an extractor fan.

So, would a dehumidifier help dry out the wall and keep moisture down? If so, would a dessicant type or compressonr type be best? I've read various things, most of which are contradictory! Any advice is really appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

uk_messer

Yes, a dehumidifier will help. A proper electrical one is not that expensive considering the benefits to your health and home. You can also get a hygrometer quite cheaply too, to monitor the humidity level.

lstar337

Compressor types are noisey (at least ours is) but they work faster and use less energy.

Dessicant types (proper ones, not the little boxes you put in the oven to dry out) are almost silent, but they take more energy to do the job slower.

I guess it is down to your requirements to choose. Make sure you get one with a nice big storage tank, or you will be emptying it constantly.

lemon26

Hi, thanks for your replies! I had thoguth a dehumidifer would help, but it's the type to get which I'm not so certain about. I've read that:

a) both types are suitable for the UK
b) a dessicant type is more suitable, and;
c) a compressor type is more suitable!

The dehumidifier is going to be downstairs so not overly bothered about noise, I would just want an effective amd economical one - we plan to use it during the night-rate Eco7 mainly anyway, with extra use to dry the washing.

Can anyone recommend a dehumidifer? So far, if I was to get a compressor one, it'd be a Ebac E2650, or if I was to get a dessciant one it'd be a Ecoair DD322. Any thoughts please? We do live in the far north west of Scotland so it's not as warm as somewhere down south.

Thanks again!

PasturesNew

Yes.
No idea what type

gemmaphillips

I always use Meaco for dehumidifiers, the team know their stuff, one call and they'll discuss your requirements and recommend the best model, really helpful and a great warranty too. Definitely worth calling for advice.

Clive_Woody

We had an ebac dehumidifier for a few years but when it died we never bothered replacing it. The big shock was just how much our electrcity bill came down after it died. Ignore all the gumf about them being very economical. We ran ours on the lowest setting (eco mode I think) and it still burnt electricity like it was going out of fashion.

uk_messer

I've got an Ebac 2650 and it does a good job. Don't think it uses that much energy. Plus it saves on heating bills as a more humid home takes more energy to heat.

Gloomendoom

They actually give off heat when they are running.

My ebac one is rated at 400w, if I remember correctly. I only use after I have been plastering or painting.

SG27

I'd get one if just purely to use when drying washing. Even with the window open I expect you will be upping the humidity a fair bit. Make sure you get on with a humidistat so it cuts out when it reaches the desired level rather than just running constant. Ours uses around 4p an hour on medium setting when it's running and it cuts in and out depending on the humidity levels.

SG27

gemmaphillips wrote: »

I always use Meaco for dehumidifiers, the team know their stuff, one call and they'll discuss your requirements and recommend the best model, really helpful and a great warranty too. Definitely worth calling for advice.

Joined today and first post.. Could have made it a bit more believable...