Living in a tropical country near the equator like Singapore comes with its own set of challenges, and that includes having to deal with hot weather. In addition to the heat, the fact that Singapore is surrounded by the sea and enjoys abundant rainfall makes the island-state significantly humid. In fact, humidity levels here average at about 84%, starting at a high of more than 90% in the mornings and decreasing to 60% later in the afternoons. In this article, we’ll explore how dehumidifiers work and why you need one.
Why is High Humidity a Problem?
Anyone who has lived in Singapore is no stranger to the sticky discomfort of sweat clinging to the body. In humid climes, as is the case in Singapore, where the air is already saturated with water, sweat doesn’t evaporate as quickly. Even a short trip outdoors can result in profuse sweating.
In addition to just feeling hot and sweaty, high humidity also proves a problem in several other aspects:
Encouraging Mould Growth
A high amount of moisture in the air encourages the growth of mould and algae. This can lead to higher maintenance costs for your home, as well as the effort needed to regularly clean and maintain the various structural parts of your house. Apart from causing ugly stains, the growth of these organisms can also lead to degradation and damage of walls and furniture.
Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Humidity leads to higher than average temperatures in your home, which may pose a danger, especially to young children and the elderly. With prolonged heat, the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and even heat stroke increases. Among the crucial symptoms often experienced by those with heat exhaustion include fatigue, dizziness, confusion, excessive sweating, nausea, and headaches. Heat strokes are more serious, and may cause seizures and loss of consciousness.
Skin Diseases
High humidity can also cause skin problems, especially in the folds of the skin and areas of the body which are hidden. Humidity doesn’t just lead to skin reactions to heat, such as heat rash. It can also encourage the growth of bacteria and fungi. Among the skin conditions caused by infections include warts, boils, jock itch, athlete’s foot and many more.
Increased Dust and Mites
A high level of moisture in the air also traps dust, leading to an increase in dust mites in the home as well. Both dust and dust mites can trigger and exacerbate asthma and irritate the airways. This can then lead to various respiratory symptoms like sore throat and coughing.
How Do Dehumidifiers Work?
Modern dehumidifiers are electrical appliances designed to draw air through a filter which removes dust and dirt. Note: This filter is usually removable and can be cleaned manually when it gets dirty, before being placed back into the system.
The air is then passed through a cooling mechanism which causes the moisture to condense into water. These water droplets are then collected into a tank which has to be emptied when full. Some dehumidifiers come with a draining tube to automatically channel water for direct disposal.
The dry air is then rewarmed and released back into the dehumidifier’s surroundings. The water collected from the air (usually contained in a tank) does not contain minerals and is considered distilled water. While it is unsuitable for drinking and watering plants, you can still recycle that water for floors and toilets, as well as to use in steam irons.
Mayer Dehumidifiers: Outstanding Features
Mayer offers two premium dehumidifiers, the Mistral 10L Dehumidifier and Mistral 20L Dehumidifier each equipped with an ioniser and UV. Both these models are similar, except that the 20L model has a much larger water storage capacity and a larger form factor. The choice between these two models boils down to the size of the room where you plan to place the Mistral dehumidifier.
The Mistral dehumidifiers come with several air quality enhancement features. Firstly, there’s an inbuilt ioniser which results in air that’s cleaner and more beneficial for your stress levels, sleep patterns, mood and immune system.
Secondly, the dehumidifiers also come with UV light which is able to eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses, as well as decrease allergens and control unpleasant odours.
Each machine is also equipped with activated carbon filters, ambient humidity indicators and 4 different modes (auto, fan, dry and laundry)
Closing Remarks
At Mayer, we believe that your home should be a haven where you can enjoy the highest quality of life. Our humidifiers are built from the ground up to create a more comfortable living environment, while providing benefits to the health and wellness of you and your family. You can make purchases directly on our online store, or contact us should you have any questions.
