Dehumidifier advice please

goggle

I am suffering from excessive moisture in my bathroom this Autumn that I haven't noticed in previous years! After a long hot bath or shower, the bathroom walls are visibly wet & the windows dripping. This morning there was condensation dripping off the toilet cistern onto the floor!
I'm working on keeping the window cracked open after a bath/shower (generally have these in the evening not morning) but I feel I probably need to buy a dehumidifier to sit on the landing outside the bathroom door - I've used the little gel/crystal ones before but I'm up for buying a big one if it will do the job!
I really need help from you dehumidifier experts as to whether this sound like my best option & then to determine which to buy!


This one seems to have good reviews
Or there is this EBAC one which I believe is a good make

I would like to buy in person rather than online simply because delivery can be an issue when you work. I have the usual DIY stores like B&Q/Wickes nearby, as well as screwfix & Argos etc

DTDfanBoy

Don't just crack the window a fraction open the thing properly

And you're probably better off installing an extractor fan rather than messing about with a dehumidifier IMHO

lstar337

Do you not have an extractor fan?

If you get a dehumidifier, go for a desiccant type as they are far more efficient and remove more water for energy consumed. Oh and they are quiet too!

goggle

DTDfanBoy wrote: »

Don't just crack the window a fraction open the thing properly

And you're probably better off installing an extractor fan rather than messing about with a dehumidifier IMHO

There is an extractor fan - it's an Xpelair which I thought was an ok brand but it doesn't seem to make any difference!
I open the window as much as possible, but am not prepared to leave it wide open when I'm not in the house & am nervous of a wide open window overnight when I am asleep because a neighbour had a local cat come in the house overnight through a wide open window & I really don't want intruders!

Horizon81

OP, I have the Screwfix one. Bought it mid December last year when they reduced it down to £109.99 (£40 off). They did the same with the 12 litre one they do as well.
I too debated between refridgerant types vs. dessicant, in fact I think I discussed this with lstar337 above (!) but in the end I read far too may reviews about the unreliability of the dessicant type so went for the traditional type. It certainly does a good job in my case and takes a lot of moisture out the air from showering, cooking and drying clothes indoors.

cyclonebri1

goggle wrote: »

There is an extractor fan - it's an Xpelair which I thought was an ok brand but it doesn't seem to make any difference!
I open the window as much as possible, but am not prepared to leave it wide open when I'm not in the house & am nervous of a wide open window overnight when I am asleep because a neighbour had a local cat come in the house overnight through a wide open window & I really don't want intruders!

You need a bigger extractor fan, 6" min, it isn't brand that counts, it's extraction rate.

If your bathroom isn't warm enough, (condensation on toilet systen says it isn't), then condensation WILL form when bathing/showering.

Again, bigger extractor first, then buy a Karcher window vac, brilliant devise, will remove condensation from wet surfaces very quickly and saves hours trying to dry out the place.

Buying a dehumidifier is treating the symptoms, not the disease

lstar337

goggle wrote: »

There is an extractor fan - it's an Xpelair which I thought was an ok brand but it doesn't seem to make any difference!

How many sheets of toilet roll will stick to it during operation?

There may be something restricting flow, have you checked ducting?

Horizon81

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Buying a dehumidifier is treating the symptoms, not the disease

So is fitting an extractor! The 'disease' is bathing, cooking, washing and breathing, all of which increase the humidity level in your house. The extractor is one route to go down but a dehumidifier is another.

goggle

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

You need a bigger extractor fan, 6" min, it isn't brand that counts, it's extraction rate.

If your bathroom isn't warm enough, (condensation on toilet systen says it isn't), then condensation WILL form when bathing/showering.

Again, bigger extractor first, then buy a Karcher window vac, brilliant devise, will remove condensation from wet surfaces very quickly and saves hours trying to dry out the place.

Buying a dehumidifier is treating the symptoms, not the disease

The extractor is a reasonable size - I will test the "suck" on the fan later & also check if it needs cleaning or anything - it comes on when you switch the bathroom light on & goes off about 10 mins (maybe more - I haven't timed it!) after you switch the light off.

I guess it's time to turn the heating on a bit more in the house - I thought I was being all MSE keeping it off!

I hadn't heard of the Karcher window vac but that looks ideal for whizzing over the walls & windows after bathing ... maybe I'll try that & another bag of the crystal dehumidifier stuff before spending £200 on a dehumidifier!

manda1205

lstar337 wrote: »

How many sheets of toilet roll will stick to it during operation?

There may be something restricting flow, have you checked ducting?

Sorry to hijack OP, but our bathroom extractor is rubbish. Can you tell me how many sheets stuck on to it is good? Ours will hold one, that is all. Any advice on good makes or what to look for, TIA.

lstar337

Ours will hold 3-4. 1 I would suggest is not good enough.