What Is A Cheaper Alternative To A Dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier is an effective appliance for removing excess moisture from the air and preventing mold, mildew, and musty odors. However, dehumidifiers can be quite expensive to purchase initially as well as costly to run due to their electricity usage. 

For many homeowners or renters on a tight budget, the upfront and operating fees of a dehumidifier are prohibitive. Fortunately, there are some cheaper and even free alternatives that can help control moisture levels in your home without breaking the bank. Methods like opening windows to bring in fresh air, using fans, silica gel and DIY dehumidifiers utilize passive ventilation and airflow, reusable desiccants, or common household items.

This article will explore natural ventilation methods, reusable desiccants like silica gel, do-it-yourself dehumidifiers using common items, and improving overall ventilation and insulation. While these alternatives may not be as powerful as a dedicated dehumidifier, they can successfully reduce humidity in moderate moisture conditions without heavy upfront or ongoing energy costs.

Passive Options

• Open windows - Opening windows, even just slightly, allows damp indoor air to circulate out while dry outdoor air flows in. Works best on dry, breezy days.

• Use fans - Placing fans in windows or circulating indoor air helps speed up the evaporation process of any moisture in the air.

• Improve ventilation - Adding ventilation systems like ventilation fans in bathrooms can remove moisture at its source before it spreads.

• Seal cracks/openings - Finding and sealing any cracks or gaps where moisture can enter the home, like baseboards or attic openings.

• Insulate spaces - Properly insulating attics, crawlspaces, walls and floors can prevent moisture from accumulating in hidden areas.

• Dry clothes outside - Hang wet clothing outdoors or use a clothesline to prevent moisture buildup inside.

• Houseplants - Certain plants like peace lilies and bamboo are natural humidistats that can help regulate indoor moisture levels.

• De-cluster furniture - Leaving space between large furniture pieces and walls allows air circulation all around items.

• Manage indoor humidity - Use a hygrometer to monitor levels and take steps to keep indoor humidity between 30-50% whenever possible.

Low-cost Appliances

There are some simple appliances that can help combat moisture issues without breaking the bank. Desiccant dehumidifiers or crawl space dehumidifiers that use calcium chloride or silica gel sorbents are inexpensive to purchase and recharge. Placing open containers of silica gel beads throughout problem areas absorbs excess water vapor through natural diffusion.

The gel needs reheating in the oven periodically to refresh its drying abilities. DIY dehumidifiers can also be made from common household items like bowls of ice situated near ceiling fans - the melting ice collects moisture as it evaporates into buckets below. 

While less powerful than commercial models, these low-cost solutions can make a difference in small to moderately damp spaces if checked and recharged regularly. Their minimal cost of ownership means they are worth trying before investing in a full-sized appliance.

Environmental Adjustments

Adjusting aspects of the indoor environment can help reduce excess humidity naturally. Improving overall ventilation through openable windows, exhaust fans and air flow is a no-cost step. Sealing cracks and gaps where moisture may enter from the outside with caulk or weatherstripping prevents accumulation. 

Proper insulation keeps humid or damp outdoor air from condensing inside walls and attics. Dehumidifying the basement or crawl space helps control the origin point of moisture rising into living areas. Managing moisture generated within such as laundries or showers involves venting steam outward instead of lingering indoors. Simple changes like these address moisture at its sources through barriers and directed airflow.

Open Windows and Use Fans

One of the most straightforward and inexpensive methods of reducing indoor humidity is opening windows to allow airflow. Cracking a few windows, even just 1-2 inches, allows damp interior air to circulate out while dry air from outside enters the home. This works especially well on dry, breezy days. 

Using fans helps speed up the process by actively circulating and mixing the indoor-outdoor air. Place fans in open windows to draw air out of the room or use standing, ceiling fans, or a ventilator fan set on their lowest settings to gently push moisture-filled air up and out through other open windows. This form of passive ventilation and mixing requires no equipment costs and takes advantage of natural cycles.

Use of Silica Gel

Silica gel is a common and low-cost desiccant that absorbs moisture through a process called adsorption. Open containers filled with tiny beads of silica gel can be placed around damp rooms to help reduce humidity levels. As the gel adsorbs water vapor from the air, it clusters the moisture molecules inside its porous structure. 

This makes it an effective option for areas with moderately high humidity. The gel needs "recharging" periodically, which involves emptying the containers and leaving the beads in a warm oven for a few hours to release the stored water. Once cool, the refreshed silica gel can then be reused indefinitely as a natural dehumidifier.

DIY Dehumidifier

Improving Ventilation and Insulation

Two of the most impactful ways to help control indoor moisture levels on a budget is by enhancing your home's ventilation and insulation. Increase airflow by opening window restrictions, adding soffit vents, or installing bathroom ceiling fans to efficiently remove damp air at its sources. 

Look for areas that could use improved caulking, weatherstripping or expanding foam sealant to block outdoor air and moisture from penetrating inside walls, attics, crawlspaces, or through small gaps and cracks. Check that ventilation openings are not blocked in attics, crawlspaces or sealed wall cavities where moisture can get trapped. 

Proper insulation keeps spaces within the home's envelope at optimal temperature and humidity instead of surfaces where condensation forms. These small upgrades address the root causes of dampness rather than just the symptoms, helping create a naturally drier indoor environment for the long term.

Conclusion

While a dedicated dehumidifier is effective at controlling high indoor moisture levels, the upfront and operating costs may outweigh the benefits for some homeowners or renters. Fortunately, there are cheaper and even free alternatives that can help reduce excess humidity without expensive equipment. Methods like opening windows, using fans, silica gel and DIY dehumidifiers utilize passive ventilation and airflow, reusable desiccants or common household items. 

Additionally, making small adjustments to ventilation, insulation and moisture sources provides long-term prevention of dampness issues at a low financial investment. Testing some of these cost-effective options can alleviate moisture concerns, especially seasonally or in moderate conditions. With monitoring and maintenance, lower-cost solutions can successfully manage humidity until investing in a higher-powered dehumidifier becomes necessary.