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Which dries a room better – dehumidifier vs. fan?

Do you have too much dampness in your basement or apartment? Do you discover that your toilet is collecting condensation after use, and you are wondering how best to eliminate the excess moisture?

In this article, we are looking at using a fan vs a dehumidifier. There are benefits and drawbacks for each method but In this guide we'll once and for all answer the question for you with all of the facts you will need to make the ideal option.

We will look at the advantages of a fan vs dehumidifier and answer, which is better.

Bathroom dehumidifier or exhaust fan. Though a fan can distribute air from outside and drive drier air to your house or basement, a dehumidifier operates by actively eliminating condensation and then draining it or collecting it.


THE MAIN DIFFERENCES

As mentioned briefly above, the primary difference between a fan and a dehumidifier is how they work. A fan essentially circulates air through your basement or apartment. This can be an excellent way to make sure that your home is ventilated and there's a constant supply of clean air replacing the stale air inside. They're much less complicated than dehumidifiers, and generally, anybody with a little understanding of how can install them.

Dehumidifiers are a lot more complicated and work by pulling air through the device, where it condenses on cold coils to eliminate the water from the atmosphere.

The "dried" air is then driven back into the room. This method doesn't really bring fresh air into your house. It merely dehumidifies the present air in your home.


FAN: PROS AND CONS

dehumidifier vs fan

Fans have been used to ventilate houses for over 50 years, and they're generally an inexpensive way to be sure that the air in your home, basement, or also crawl space is clean and well circulated.

They are also straightforward to install. Fans are usually fitted onto vents or windows, which push air from outside into your home, where it's circulated.

This works well and can be inserted on any wall.

A dehumidifier needs to get its water collection bucket frequently emptied so that the water could be pumped off. Fans do not need this form of routine upkeep or installation.

If the problem in your house is dampness, then a fan will only go some way to fix it. The reason is while you may have drier air being pushed outside, the fan will not eliminate moisture from the air, as a dehumidifier does. So, in case you've got a terrible damp issue, a fan just won't cut it.

A fan can also become clogged. As the system is moving part, whatever leads to this part becoming blocked or clogged (debris, dust, etc.) can make your fan overworked, which can burn out the motor.

One of the worst drawbacks to a fan is that it will make your moisture issue worse if you reside in a hot climate and use air conditioning to cool your residence.

If you use a fan to drive in warmer air from outdoors, say into a crawl space, the air inside your room will be chilly due to the AC system. This means you'll have hot air from outside, hitting cooler air indoors. This will result in condensation and might make your moist problem worse.


DEHUMIDIFIER: PROS AND CONS

dehumidifier vs fan

Dehumidifiers have been utilized commercially for several years, and they have become a popular method to eliminate moisture from houses and basements.

A dehumidifier system works by truly taking water from the atmosphere. You may see the by-product of it functioning through taking out the water collection bucket or viewing the hose to drain away from the water. This gives you peace of mind that the air's moisture is being removed from your house.

Another great feature of a dehumidifier is that you can control your residence's precise level of humidity.

Several units include an integrated humidistat, which monitors the air moisture level. It works with the dehumidifier until the degree is within a preset limit. This means that you may have 70%, 50%, or some other humidity level you wish to suit your tastes.

Although a dehumidifier seems like a complicated machine, they're pretty low maintenance. They'll require some general cleaning and maintenance around two times a year, but mainly you have to leave them to get on with the job.

A dehumidifier is different from a fan in that it does need to drain water away. This may either be collected in a bucket that's then manually removed and drained, or a pump system will push out the water through a hose and into a drain. This does mean you want to either put it up in a place using a drain point or be ready to empty the bucket somewhat regularly -- a problem if you are going away on holiday.

Dehumidifiers may also be louder than a fan. While it's possible to get quieter units, it's something to remember if you will need to dehumidify a bedroom or other quiet living area.

Generally, dehumidifiers take up more space than a fan. A bathroom dehumidifier versus an exhaust fan may wind up using the floor area in what is usually a smaller room.


THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR YOUR SPACE

If you wish to eliminate moisture from your house efficiently, then a dehumidifier is an ideal option.

While a fan can take up less space and provide you fresh air, it will not remove moisture and, as explained above, can make a dampness issue worse if you are living in a house with air conditioning.

About the Author Tom Hanson

I’ve worked as an HVAC tech in Phoenix, AZ for the past 10 years. I created CoolAndPortable.com to help home owners select the right portable air conditioner, cooler or air purifier for their needs & budget in just a few minutes.

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