Can dehumidifiers also be unhealthy?
Air conditioners and dehumidifiers both pull moisture from the air, making it more comfortable and less likely to result in mold growth or, in severe cases, rot. Too much humidity can also cause formaldehyde and other VOCs to outgas faster. In general, dehumidifiers are less of a problem than humidifiers, but they usually have a container that fills with water that must be emptied and cleaned regularly. When the container is full of water, it can be susceptible to bacterial growth. A good solution is to get a unit that can be hooked up to a floor drain with a piece of tubing. That way, there’s nothing to empty. Actually, most of the time, dehumidifiers solve more problems than they cause. Dehumidifiers are often used to deal with a mold problem in a basement. When properly constructed, conditioned, and ventilated, a basement should be dry. However, many basements aren’t properly constructed, conditioned, or ventilated—so they’re damp and moldy. If this is the case in your basement, you
