Dehumidifier Deals & Offers

It can do, yes. Many dehumidifiers today are aimed at the domestic setting, whereas in the past they would have been specialist units for art galleries and car collectors for example. Always check when you're buying your dehumidifier to see if it has a "laundry" function. This is ideal for helping to dry clothes, because it simply removes moisture from your laundry, placed ideally in the same room.

An important question. There's no point in paying substantially more for a high capacity machine that's aimed at larger spaces than you need. Likewise it's important that the dehumidifier you're considering has enough capacity for what you have in mind. Always check the capacity, which is expressed in litres. As a rough guide: 6.5 litres capacity is enough for 45 square metres; 9.5 litres for 90 square metres; 12.5 litres for 135 square metres; 15.5 litres for 180 square metres and 18 litres for 225 square metres.

The latest models are designed to be energy efficient. There's no doubt they will add to your electricity bill, but the key is to know how much. Always check the energy efficiency of whatever model you're considering, expressed in watts (W). As a rule of thumb, a 250W dehumidifier will, according to expert reviewers, when running for about four hours for two days a week cost around £19.50 a year on your electricity bill.

There are two types. A refrigerant dehumidifier has a cold surface inside which cools the incoming warm, damp air and so condensation forms, with water then dripping into a tank. The less common desiccant or compressor variety uses absorbent material within to extract damp from the air. These desiccant dehumidifiers work best at temperatures of less than 15 degrees, making them ideal for garages, sheds or conservatories. Take note that generally whatever material these desiccant dehumidifiers use - a type of crystal for instance - will need replacing from time to time.

Yes. There are some that are rechargeable. Others are simply bags of absorbent material, which can be left in the car overnight. From time to time these need to be "recharged": simply by leaving them on a radiator in the home to drive out the moisture. Then they're ready to be used again.