Dehumidifier << `dee` hyoo MIHD uh `fy` uhr >> is a device that removes moisture from the air. Dehumidifiers are commonly used in order to make homes more comfortable.
Warmer air can contain more moisture than cooler air can. On hot days, this additional moisture can make people uncomfortable. But reducing the amount of moisture in the air makes moisture on the skin evaporate more readily. People then feel cooler, even though the air temperature stays the same. Lowering the moisture level of the air also helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew in the home.
A dehumidifier consists of a set of cold coils, called the evaporator, and a set of hot coils, the condenser. A fan in the dehumidifier draws moist air from a room and blows it across the coils. The air loses moisture as it passes over the evaporator, and it is reheated to room temperature by the condenser. The air then reenters the room, absorbs moisture again, and recirculates through the dehumidifier. The moisture lost by the air is carried by a hose to a drain or sink, or it is collected in a built-in container.
See also Air conditioning (Controlling the moisture); Humidifier; Humidity.
