Keeping a property dry over the winter?

bazza · Post by **bazza** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:03 pm

your reply is appreciated but not everyone has underfloor heating so us poor people have to resort to other means.

Pabbers · Post by **Pabbers** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:07 pm

Just reporting in to say that having had the dehumidifier constantly draining into the bath from when we left at the end of Oct to when we returned for a long weekend at the beginning of Feb - made an ENORMOUS difference on the year before. Everything felt dry and there wasn't a musty smell. Left it going and we'll be back next week for Easter so fingers crossed it's continued its effectiveness.

snowytheboy · Post by **snowytheboy** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:38 am

Any idea what that is costing you in electricity

steve · Post by **steve** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 3:28 pm

We have found in the past that a dehumidifier made a great difference over the winter period. One problem is that they do fill up quickly and although in theory some one empties them every couple of days for the owner as a resident you know that in practice this very seldom happens. Another problem is that as the temperature drops the coil ices up the unit either cuts out or operates less effectively. As the ice melts the the water falls into the collection tray which if it is already full deposits the water on the floor!

Mounting the unit up high enough to run a hose from the tank to a bath or shower and operate continuously is a good way round these problems.

A medium sized unit draws about 200 watts and so even if it ran 24 hours a day (which it shouldn't) the consumption would total 4800 watts equaling about 60 cents a day from what I remember of the unit cost - less obviously if you are a on a night and day meter.

Although we have some heavy rains over short periods the past winter has been pretty dry overalland damp should have been less of a problem.

Al Garb · Post by **Al Garb** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:53 pm

There is no doubt that dehumidifiers help if you are not permanently resident or a frequent visitor.
I suspect that some brands will consume nearer 500 watts when running flat out. Average outdoor winter humidity in the Algarve is about 80% and the recommended comfort level is between 40 and 60% for homes so they have to work quite hard.
As other posters have pointed out a self draining model is a must. You should also look for one that allows you to set the humidity level you want manually or has an Auto function which cuts to a maintenance mode once a certain level as been reached. Usually they have a safety cut out that prevents them being damaged if the air becomes too dry.

They work by drawing in the moist air over a heat exchanger to cool it and condense the moisture before pumping the drier air back out so even in Algarve temperatures the unit can ice up

Certainly improved ventilation reduces mould growth and the musty smells but it doesn't reduce damp. You are just letting the 80% humidity in.

snowytheboy · Post by **snowytheboy** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:30 am

Can anybody suggest where I can get a self draining dehumidifier locally - does IZI sell them - maybe recommend a make and model and roughly the cost of one.

Al Garb · Post by **Al Garb** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:01 am

Dehumidifiers tend to be a seasonal item along with radiators etc. Worten usually has half a dozen different models on display in the Guia branch.

http://www.worten.pt/ProductList.aspx?o ... 958445&l=1

They give a 2 year warranty and return within 2 weeks with original packaging if not satisfied with the product. Max Mat, Izi, Leroy Merlin wil probably have one or two models

steve · Post by **steve** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:28 am

Self draining is no more than a facility to attach a drainage pipe to the water deposit tank. Many tanks have a suitable outlet which is blanked off and simply needs to be opened up.

Pabbers · Post by **Pabbers** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:56 pm

Other half reckoned the cost of running the dehumidifier shouldn't be more than to run a fridge as there's no heating involved with it. Time will tell!

We bought a Rowenta from Makro and we've raised it up so as to allow us to run a pipe into the bath - has worked fine so far. It has a good display that's easy to understand and you have options for setting the level of humidity - think from memory that it also has something to deal with the icing problem although that doesn't seem to have happened (but then if it had something to deal with it I wouldn't know would I? Sorry rambling now....

)

bifas 1st darling! · Post by **bifas 1st darling!** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:10 pm

we have wall mounted air con units that cool, heat and dehumidify. They solve all problems all year round, can be programed to come on and go off at certain hours or be on all the time.

Jinan · Post by **Jinan** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:27 pm

bifas 1st darling, you didnt mention the cost of using the A/C regularly during the winter months?

suziebear · Post by **suziebear** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:34 pm

bifas 1st darling! wrote:we have wall mounted air con units that cool, heat and dehumidify. They solve all problems all year round, can be programed to come on and go off at certain hours or be on all the time.

How much did they cost, did you install them yourselves and are they expensive to run? Thx

lizzieh · Post by **lizzieh** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:43 pm

We may also be interested in this type of heating/cooling/air- con so any information re initail cost running cost and efficencey would be really helpful. Thanks Liz

Gerry Cullen · Post by **Gerry Cullen** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:12 am

why not just put the self draining model in the bath or shower

suziebear · Post by **suziebear** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:27 am

because when we live there perm I dont fancy having to keep moving a cumbersome unit in and out of the bath or shower much rather have something that does all - providing it doesnt cost the earth.

Keeping a property dry over the winter?

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