Dehumidifier

Mary108

Sorry to be a pest. It seems to me that Dessicant dehumidifiers are safer because they dont have R290 refrigerant inside them. Which can cause fires 

However, for what I want, the dessicants dont seem suitable.....does anyone else stress about the potential of fire caused by the refridgerant in compressor dehumidifiers?

MattMattMattUK

Nope, not in the slightest. There is a risk, it is greater than zero but realistically it is only a theoretical risk. If they were dangerous or likely to cause fires they would not have been deemed safe for sale, insurers would have policy exclusions to cover them and we would have far greater issues. R290 is basically propane, is the refrigerant uses in compressor dehumidifiers, cars climate control systems, heat pumps, fridges, freezers, ice and ice-cream makers. 

In all but the largest models it will be around 50g, in a fridge or fridge-freezer there will be 100-400g, in a domestic heat pump or air con system there could be up to 1kg. Now whilst it is true that propane is flammable it does not sit and burn like petrol or alcohol fuel might. Released into the air it would dissipate to non-ignitable levels in seconds, for instance if I poked a whole in the circuit and held a lighter to it it would burn for a short while, but if I let it leak into a room then walked around with a naked flame it would be too diluted to burn. 

So yes there is a risk, however not a very big one, probably only slightly above that of being struck with lightning, your fridge, toaster or tumble dryer are far more likely to catch fire.

Mee

Sorry for piggy backing...
When I asked AI (Google's Gemini) for the most competitively priced and well reviewed dehumidifiers it came up with the ones below (based on several newspaper reviews and Google Shopping Data). Does anyone have experience of the Daewoo or Wessex models? I note the reviews of the Wessex on Toolstation are very good.



See also:
https://www.maplin.co.uk/blogs/expert-advice/compressor-vs-desiccant-dehumidifiers-which-one-is-right-for-you-the-pros-cons
(Maplin... )

Gemini AI comparison  D v C table:

Mary108

Thank you all so much for this advice and help.Its fabulous. I'm learning such a lot!

Thinking about my sisters home....it can often be below 16C in some areas. I'm wondering (from my reading) if it would be better for her to buy a dessicant as they work better below 16C, I think!

Edit - although I know dessicants are more expensive to run, might it be more effective as parts of her home are quite cool in temperature

MattMattMattUK

Mary108 said:

Thank you all so much for this advice and help.Its fabulous. I'm learning such a lot!

Thinking about my sisters home....it can often be below 16C in some areas. I'm wondering (from my reading) if it would be better for her to buy a dessicant as they work better below 16C, I think!

In those circumstances then yes, a desiccant may be a better choice. 

I suppose we should have asked, what are you actually wanting to use it for?

Swipe

My compressor one still does a good job, even down at 13C and I don't notice a great reduction in the amount of water collected.

Mary108

MattMattMattUK said:

Mary108 said:

Thank you all so much for this advice and help.Its fabulous. I'm learning such a lot!

Thinking about my sisters home....it can often be below 16C in some areas. I'm wondering (from my reading) if it would be better for her to buy a dessicant as they work better below 16C, I think!

In those circumstances then yes, a desiccant may be a better choice. 

I suppose we should have asked, what are you actually wanting to use it for?

For me, I'm wanting to use the dehumidifier to reduce relative humidity and help dry washing. My sister's issue is slightly different as she lives in a cold cottage so I'm thinking for HER a dessicant might be better

vic_sf49

Mee said:

Sorry for piggy backing...
When I asked AI (Google's Gemini) for the most competitively priced and well reviewed dehumidifiers it came up with the ones below (based on several newspaper reviews and Google Shopping Data). Does anyone have experience of the Daewoo or Wessex models? I note the reviews of the Wessex on Toolstation are very good.



See also:
https://www.maplin.co.uk/blogs/expert-advice/compressor-vs-desiccant-dehumidifiers-which-one-is-right-for-you-the-pros-cons
(Maplin... )

Gemini AI comparison  D v C table:

Can't comment ref those brands, as I have 2 x Meaco. I think I just saw the 10l Meaco ABC one that I have, for about £130.

I do buy a lot of things from Screwfix and Toolstation, so definitely appreciate their items / quality / price / some warranty lengths, and you can return things easily. 

But the main consideration for me, was that Meaco are the quietest ones available. 

Yes, there's noise with them, but I'm currently sat in the same room as one, and it hasn't driven me crazy, whereas I can't tolerate a cheap Lidl/Aldi tower fan I have.

Also check water collection compartment size, how much water  they remove from the air, and wattage, as that equates directly to running costs.

bristolleedsfan

O/P this is available for approx £97, find on google search, I have 10l version, humidity will go down to 40% whereas when I looked at Probreeze D only goes down to 50%   

Brolin BR7DD 7L Eco Desiccant 

masonic

Swipe said:

My compressor one still does a good job, even down at 13C and I don't notice a great reduction in the amount of water collected.

I wish mine did. My Meaco manages about 1 L/kWh down to about 17C, but performance drops off rapidly below that and it crosses over with my desiccant one at ~14C. So I make a switch during the coldest months.

One thing to mention about desiccant dehumidifiers is you won't want to turn one on during summer humidity due to the heating effect.