Ventilation in garages can be an issue which can lead to ventilation, and you may have been wondering for some time whether buying a garage dehumidifier is worth the investment.
If moisture levels rise too high, then this can lead to a build-up of mould or mildew which can cause damage to your garage tools or items so you’ll need to spend money replacing them. So the price of is definitely worth the money versus the risk of damage to your belongings.
This is, even more, the case if you keep your car or other vehicles in your garage as this can result in metal rust. So we’ve reviewed the best garage dehumidifiers on the market to make your buying decision easier.
Pro Breeze 10L Garage Dehumidifier
This product is ideal for reducing moisture levels in your garage and can remove up to 10 litres of moisture every day, which is more than enough for most people. It delivers high performance in a range of temperatures between 1°C to 40°C which makes it well suited for all year round use especially in locations where the weather is unpredictable you can trust this to deliver.
The unit works fast to remove moist, and you’ll see results in just a couple of days after you first switch it on. It has a large 3-litre water tank that connects to the main body, which can also be detached when it’s time to empty.
You can leave this unit to work for an extended length of time because it also has an automatic shut off mechanism which means it will turn off when the tank gets full, so you don’t have to worry about it overflowing. If you want to automate the emptying of the unit then you can use the included continuous hose to connect it to a drain, sink or other outlet so you don’t have to manually empty the water tank.
The unit has a built-in time so you can set when you’d like for it to turn off and it also has a digital control panel where you can choose your target humidity level. An air filter is also built into the unit so you can manage the humidity and improve the air quality in your garage, which is ideal if you also use our garage as a workshop where you use a lot of tools that may produce dirt and dust such as saws and drills.
Specs
What is Garage Condensation?
Garage condensation is the same as condensation anywhere else, which is a result of excess moisture in the air. If this moisture touches any cold surface, it then collects as water droplets which can cause issues for you and your garage.
Condensation can lead to the formation of mould and mildew, which can be a massive health risk, especially if this goes on for a long time.
Condensation can also cause your tools and vehicles to rust at a faster rate so you may need to replace them more frequently and depending on the contents of your garage this could be a considerable amount of money.
Why does condensation form?
Garage condensation can be present in homes in both hot or cold countries or environments. This is especially the case in environments that have a low-temperature winter followed by a rise in temperature in the spring and summer, which can make your garage more prone to moisture build-up.
Ways to Reduce Garage Condensation
Take Charge of the Temperature
Through the winter colder months, you should use a heater to maintain a stable temperature which will reduce the negative effects of condensation.
Use a Vapour Barrier
You have the option of installing a vapour barrier which can lower garage condensation which can also be installed on the garage floor.
Dry Your car before storing
It’s recommended that you dry off your car before you store it in your garage. This will take just a couple of minutes but will reduce the amount of moisture in your garage.
Examine your drainage
You should check the drainage on your roof to ensure that you keep condensation at a minimum. You should make sure that your drainage doesn’t have any blockages or isn’t obstructed because this can cause leaks to occur, which can lead to moisture build-up.
Remove old appliances
Do you not have enough space in your home, so end up using the garage to store additional fridges or freezers? If this is the case, then these old appliances can often have condensation issues such as leaks or worn seals. Due to temperature changes, condensation can form on the outside of the appliance and evaporate, causing the excess moisture.
De-clutter you garage
It’s very common for you to store one thing in your garage and this eventually builds up into a very cluttered garage. This clutter can restrict airflow in your garage, which means that condensation is more likely to form. You should de-clutter your garage by either removing items or re-organising with storage solutions or shelves to make it better organised.
Improve Ventilation
If you already have ventilation installed such as roof or wall vents, then you need to ensure that these are working correctly to maintain stability between the air inside and outside of your garage. The job isn’t done just by installing these systems, but you need to ensure that you maintain them, such as ensuring there aren’t any blockages.
Check your ventilation. Proper garage ventilation (on the walls or roof) is essential to reducing condensation and helps maintain the balance between the air inside and outside of your home. Any garage ventilation systems, such as commonly used turbine roof vents, also need to be cleaned regularly to allow for efficient airflow.
Garage Dehumidifier Buying Guide
Placement
You need to take into account where the power supply is in your garage or if you even have one, to begin with. Ideally, you should be able to place your garage dehumidifier close to the PowerPoint, so you don’t require an extension cord which minimises the chance of an electrical accident.
Once you located your PowerPoint, you can then make plans to rearrange your garage if need be, if you have things blocking it. You should also ensure that your unit isn’t touching any walls or covered in any material. There should be consistent airflow maintained around the dehumidifier.
Temperature
You need to be aware of the temperature of your garage because there will be models that can’t operate in lower temperatures. This is especially the case if the temperature is below zero where most can’t function.
Refrigerant options are designed for locations that stay around room temperature and struggle to operate efficiently in colder conditions. Desiccant options are far more versatile and can work well in lower temperatures and are also lighter, which make them easy to move about in your garage.
Energy Efficiency
You first need to understand how bad your moisture build-up is because they can be expensive to run if you need them to be turned on all day long. You should consider how much energy that your chosen garage humidifier consumes because you’ll likely have this on significant amounts of time, so you need to make sure that it won’t cause a big spike in your energy bills.
However, high-quality desiccant options don’t need to be turned on for long because they’re so powerful, so this is something to consider.
Continuous Drainage
One of the downsides of garage dehumidifiers is that if you have a serious damp problem, then you’ll have to keep emptying it by hand. If you only have a mild problem, then you probably only need to empty it every few days.
Continuous drainage means you can connect the unit to a hose so the excess moisture will flow into a sink or drain.
Humidistat
It’s essential that you have a garage dehumidifier that has a humidistat because if you make the air too dry, then this can also cause damage to your belongings. So having too low humidity can be just as damaging as humidity that’s too high. A humidistat allows you to select a precise humidity level for your unit to work towards.
Durability
Depending on your humidity issues, you may have high demands so you’ll need a durable unit that can handle the pressure. You should pick a high-quality brand that is sturdy and consistently reliable so you can leave it unattended without having to keep checking it.
It’ll also need to be durable so it doesn’t keep breaking although you can also ensure that it comes supplied with a warranty from the manufacturer.
So as you can see, there’s no reason for your garage to suffer from moisture and condensation when there’s an easy solution to fix it. The cost of a garage dehumidifier is less that it will cost to replace your garage possessions that may get damaged as a result.
When you’re considering a solution for your garage, there are different factors you need to think about compared to a solution for your home. Your garage is often forgotten about, but many people have expensive things stored away, such as a vehicle or power tools, so it’s vital that you take the necessary steps to protect them.