Does my basement need a dehumidifier?

Woman changing water container in air dryer, dehumidifier, humidity indicator. Humid air at home. Fresh air at home.

In an earlier blog, we talked about adding an on-unit, whole-home humidifier to  your HVAC system. There, we discussed the health benefits a humidifier can bring. We  also took a brief look at the other ways a whole-home humidifier can help protect your  home’s assets. Finally, we briefly mentioned whether your basement might need a  dehumidifier.  

Today, let’s unpack three reasons why you might want to consider adding one to your  home. 

What does a dehumidifier do exactly? 

First, humidifiers and dehumidifiers control one thing: the level of humidity, or moisture,  within a space. The difference is that while the latter will raise the humidity in a dry  space, a dehumidifier helps to lower humidity. Some homes will have a dehumidifier  that runs 24/7/365 in their basement. Primarily, their goal is to prevent one of the  following three reasons why you should consider adding one to your basement as well. 

Reason 1: Prevent mold growth 

One of the top, if not the biggest, reasons to add a dehumidifier to your basement is to  prevent mold growth. As we mentioned in our blog on humidifiers, moisture is to mold  as what the Utes are to football. Yes, you can have the former without the latter.  

However, it’s far more likely that they’ll go hand in hand. While there are always reasons  for adding a humidifier to a dry room, one that has excessive moisture in the air will  encourage mold spores to start growing. As basements are usually dark, damp, and  cold, these three conditions are ripe for mold growth.  

A dehumidifier will help to prevent this from happening in the first place. 

Reason 2: Better air quality 

Beyond mold, the second reason to consider installing a dehumidifier is that the air  quality in your basement will greatly improve. While this might be less of a  consideration for “cellar” basements, if you have a finished space it’s incredibly  important that those who hang out in your basement have the highest possible air  quality to breathe in.  

And, as a quick side note, some furnaces will use air from the basement in their  circulation. You don’t want to circulate musty air into your home. 

Reason 3: Spring basement dampness 

Finally, even the best-sealed basement will be prone to springtime thawing and  dampness. If you have carpeted flooring or finished walls in your basement, a  dehumidifier can help to prevent any problems associated with the change in seasons. 

We’re here for all of your HVAC needs

Although a small part of an HVAC system, a dehumidifier in your basement can  contribute to all of your furnace parts and components running smoothly. As it prevents  mold growth and mitigates spring basement dampness, it will reduce condensation on  your equipment. In addition, as some furnace systems pull in air from the  basement instead of the outside via a duct, this will help to ensure your furnace air  quality is as clean as can be. 

Would you like to learn more? Then give us a call at (801) 980-0903 or send us a  message here!

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