Does your crawl space need a dehumidifier? Many homes have issues with humidity and moisture in their crawl spaces, leading to mold, water damage, and other issues. Finding the best dehumidifier for crawl spaces can protect you against those risks, and here’s what you need to know about making the right choice.
Why Your Crawl Space Needs a Dehumidifier
Most homeowners don’t give too much thought to their crawl spaces. However, it’s one of the most important elements of your home. Letting moisture issues develop over the years could lead to lasting structural and foundation problems. It’s important to note that the target wood moisture is between 12-15% while target humidity is 55%.
While not every crawl space needs a dehumidifier, high humidity, flooding, and other moisture issues are more common than you might think.
Moisture in your crawl space provides a supply of water for mold, which can grow on wooden structural elements and more. This can affect your subfloor, possibly spreading into your home and causing health concerns.
There’s also the risk of rotting wooden structural elements that can require expensive repairs to replace. Installing a dehumidifier regulates humidity, preventing these issues.
Choosing the Right Size Dehumidifier
When choosing a dehumidifier, the most important thing to get right is the size. Humidifiers can only remove so much humidity from the air, with each model having a certain capacity. If your humidifier isn’t powerful enough to reach a safe humidity level, your crawl space will still be at risk of mold and rot.
Experts can measure the humidity in your crawl space and consider other criteria, such as seasonal flooding. Along with the size of the crawl space, current ventilation, and other factors, they use these details to calculate the proper size.
You can’t rely on crawl space size alone to make this determination, as the other factors have a significant impact.
Key Features Your Crawl Space Dehumidifier Needs
There are many dehumidifier models available today with a variety of features. The first thing to note is that you will need a dehumidifier specifically made for crawl spaces, not a simple portable model. You can’t be expected to frequently dump the water reservoir as you would with consumer dehumidifiers; instead, a drain connection is required.
Automatic operation modes are also essential. Your dehumidifier can have a variety of settings based on target humidity, ventilation settings, and more. It needs to cycle automatically in response to the humidity in your crawl space.
Having the right air filter is vital, as the dehumidifier constantly draws air through itself to remove humidity. You need to keep dirt and other contaminants out to prevent blockages.
Considering Cost and Energy Efficiency
Of course, there’s always a cost to think about for any home improvement installation. Your specialized crawl space dehumidifier will require a higher capacity than off-the-shelf consumer models. This means a higher cost, but it’s well worth it. The cost of repairing damage to your home’s structure or foundation would be many times higher.
Going with one of the best models may cost more at the outset, but it can reduce your energy bill for years to come. Dehumidifiers use electricity to power a refrigeration cycle, similar to a household air conditioner. Water condenses out of the air on the cool coils.
Choosing the right model can ensure your dehumidifier operates efficiently, reducing the overall energy cost.
Professional Installation and Maintenance
If you want to make the most of your new crawl space dehumidifier, you should always go with professional installation. The electrical and plumbing work is more complex than simply setting up a portable dehumidifier in your home, so professional expertise is necessary to ensure safety and durability.
Maintenance is also vital to extend the lifespan of your new dehumidifier and keep it running efficiently. Scheduled inspection and maintenance can help you save even more over the course of your dehumidifier’s lifespan.
Getting the Best Dehumidifier for Crawl Spaces in Charlotte, NC
There’s a lot to consider to find the best dehumidifier for crawl spaces. You can make the whole process so much easier and ensure lasting results by leaving it to the professionals.
The team at Falcone Crawl Space & Structural Repair can install a dehumidifier with the size and features to safeguard your crawl space. Get started with a free crawl space inspection today.
