Home Mold PreventionSo you’ve decided to purchase a home humidity control unit. Great! Home dehumidifiers can improve your health, stop mold growth, prevent structural harm to your home, and save you money in the long-run.

But how do you know if the humidity control kit you buy is a smart investment? Which features do you actually need?

If you purchase the wrong model, you could waste hundreds of dollars on unnecessary features, and it might not solve your humidity problem. But don’t fret: This article will teach you everything you need to know about optional features on home humidity control systems.

Here are five features to look for when purchasing home mold control equipment:

1. Automatic Drainage

All dehumidifiers work by removing moisture from the air through controlled condensation. But all that water has to go somewhere.

In some dehumidifiers, the moisture drips into a tray, which you will eventually have to empty to prevent overflow. However, you don’t have to worry about emptying the tray if your unit has an automatic drainage feature.

Some of these units rely on gravity for drainage while others feature a condensate pump. If your dehumidifier will be located above the drain, then gravity-powered drainage will do the trick.

2. Humidistat

A humidistat can save you money by turning off the compressor when the ideal moisture level has been reached. There are two parts of a humidistat: the sensing unit and the relay amplifier.

The sensing unit has two metal conductors, and the electrical resistance between these conductors changes with the rise or drop of humidity. The relay amplifier measures the resistance and determines whether to turn off the compressor.

3. Air Filter

Why not kill two birds with one stone? A home dehumidifier with an air filter can remove mold spores, dust mites and other impurities while balancing the air’s humidity level. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this can prevent allergic reactions, asthma attacks and respiratory illnesses.

4. Timer

A built-in timer will give you control of when your unit turns on and off. This will save you some money and reduce your carbon footprint by conserving energy.

5. Defrost

Where are you placing your dehumidifier? If the room is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you should purchase a system with an automatic defrost feature. This will prevent frost from building up inside your dehumidifier.

Now that you know the features to look for in a home humidity control unit, it’s time to compare your options. Click here to shop from our handpicked list of home dehumidifiers.