With an average humidity of 75%, you can count the Philippines as one of the most humid places on Earth. Thankfully, there are dehumidifiers to let us control the humidity level in our room. But do you really need one? Here are 5 telltale signs that you need a dehumidifier:
1. Windows are covered in condensation
When water droplets or fogging forms on the indoor side of your window, then that indicates that there is too much moisture in the room.
If this is not addressed properly, the excess moisture can rot out the wood or corrode metals used in the window sill.
This moist place will also be a good place for molds and mildew to breed in.
2. Wet stains on the walls or ceiling
Before pulling out your credit card to buy a dehumidifier because you saw a water stain on the ceiling, you should verify first if it is just a moisture problem or something more serious – it could be a busted pipe or a leaking roof.
When this is left untreated, it can foster mold growth on the walls – destroying your house slowly through the years.
3. You can see molds on the walls or furniture
This is the advanced form of #2.
The little blacks spots on the wall or ceiling are mold formations that fed on the excess moisture on the surface.
Not only is this unsightly, it will also slowly rot wood away or ruin your paint. They can also spread to other parts of your house.
Warning:
Black molds will release spores that can trigger allergies and other health issues. [1]
4. When your room smells dank
The musty odor that you smell is a by-product of the mold and mildew infestation on the wall. If you can already smell it, then its probably severe.
What you are inhaling are actually mVOCs (microbial volatile organic compounds) which are linked to headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.
If you still are not treating the problem in the visible mold stage, then you probably should start taking it more seriously when it is in the musty odor stage.
While a dehumidifier is not a strong enough solution to this problem, it will help stop your walls from being damaged further.
5. The room has a pronounced “kulob” feeling
The closest English translation to the Filipino word kulob I can think of is “stuffy”.
This stuffy air is caused by poor ventilation that traps stale air and moisture inside the room.
The water molecules in the air also absorb the ambient heat, making the air feel hotter than it actually is.
While the easiest fix is opening a door and a window or two, you can also expedite the process by setting up a dehumidifier to take out the excess moisture in the air.
Miguel Mores worked for 5 years as a member of the product management team for a home appliance company in the Philippines. He started 101appliance to answer the most common customer questions that he has encountered during his time in the industry. He now works in the digital marketing field and manages a small online bookstore on the side.
