Abstract
This paper describes both laboratory and field experiments to determine the effectiveness of portable dehumidifiers in reducing the risk of condensation and mould growth in dwellings. The performances of three dehumidifier models with different water extraction rates were investigated. The results indicated that: The smallest dehumidifier acted primarily as a low wattage heater; the two larger machines improved conditions in the bedroom in which they operated, but had little effect on the living room environment; noise was a problem so that the night-time use of the dehumidifier was restricted; laboratory experiments can be used to estimate the performance of dehumidifiers in housing with reasonable accuracy.
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