Do-it-yourself dehumidifier for the garage. Do-it-yourself dehumidifier for an apartment

Violation of the microclimate in a residential building is very often associated with an increase in the level of humidity. Dampness causes the appearance of pathogenic microflora in the apartment, which leads to a deterioration in the health of residents, as well as damage to their property and interior. How to independently dry the air in the apartment and prevent the threat of waterlogging of the room in the future? You just need to find out the cause of moisture getting into the home, understand how to deal with dampness and the types of equipment and substances used to get rid of excess moisture, and apply all this in practice.

Causes of dampness

Excessive humidity in a residential area may appear from time to time or disturb constantly, but in any case, it has its own reasons and they must be found out for timely elimination. The occurrence of mold and musty smell, and as a result, respiratory disease, expensive repairs, buying new furniture, can be a serious punishment for carelessness in relation to sources of dampness in an apartment or house.

The main causes of excess moisture:

  • insufficient ventilation or its absence in the room (especially in the kitchen and in the bathroom)
  • groundwater, high lying or rising in spring (relevant for private houses)
  • poor condition of water taps and sewer pipes
  • drying laundry in living rooms
  • a large number of domestic plants or the arrangement of a greenhouse in an apartment
  • the presence of an open reservoir of water (large fountain or aquarium)
  • swimming pool or sauna in the house (basement, basement or lower floor)
  • poor wall insulation
  • insufficient heating of the apartment (low temperatures cause condensation)

The moisture level is measured with a hygrometer. Knowing the norms of humidity for a dwelling (45-60%), it is possible even before the appearance of signs of excess moisture and its negative consequences apply preventive measures.

Ways to dehumidify a room

Simple methods on how to dry the air in an apartment or a private house on your own, without the use of special knowledge, skills, professional equipment and technically complex work:

  1. Airing- if there are standing in the house plastic windows, non-breathable materials are used, and entrance doors are well sealed, then ventilation of the room, especially in winter, will ensure the effective functioning of natural ventilation. Misting windows are the first sign that you need to ventilate.
  2. Cleaning of ventilation ducts- weak draft is a sign of contamination of the ventilation ducts. Ventilation is installed in the toilet, bathroom and kitchen, where the maximum amount of moisture accumulates, which, with a weak extract, spreads to all rooms.
  3. Installing fans- air dehumidification in a residential area can be carried out by increasing natural ventilation due to the installation of fans of a certain power. Stable air circulation will not allow moisture to dissipate throughout the apartment, pulling it out.
  4. Kitchen hoods- the device itself was created to remove vapors and odors from the room where food is prepared, thereby preventing the steam from condensing.
  5. oil heater- unlike other heating devices, it does not burn oxygen and copes well with an excess of moisture in the room (especially if it has a built-in fan).
  6. household air conditioner- the principle of operation of this device allows, by providing constant air circulation and maintaining the desired temperature, to take moisture from the air and remove it in the form of condensate outside the living space.

With all the desire and the use of certain methods for dehumidifying the air in the room, it may turn out that more effective measures dampness removal. In this case, specially designed devices - dehumidifiers - will help to dry the air in the apartment.

Types of dehumidifiers

Air dehumidifiers are climate systems used in permanently waterlogged rooms to absorb water from the air. Three types are produced:

  • household (removal of up to 30 liters of water per day)
  • semi-industrial (up to 300 liters of water per day)
  • industrial (more than 300 liters of water per day).

It is clear that bulky powerful devices are used in industry, and more compact devices are suitable for residential premises.

Household dehumidifiers are represented by two types:

Home dehumidifiers have different types devices:

  1. Evaporative dryers (compressor)- the flow of moist air in such a dehumidifier enters the evaporator, where moisture condenses and flows into the tank. The air itself, getting rid of excess water, flows back into the room. The performance of such a device: ten liters of water per day. Minus: bulky size and a big waste of energy.
  2. Adsorption dryers- air drying occurs due to a moisture-absorbing substance - an adsorbent. This type of dehumidifier is used in small spaces, it does not require energy and is safe. As dampness requires replacement of the adsorbent.
  3. Rotary adsorption- in this type of dryer, the adsorbent is in a rotating rotor and the air loses moisture more efficiently than in a simple adsorption dryer, stretching through such a mechanism. The device makes less noise than the evaporator, but still noisy.
  4. Peltier dryers- they have a special semiconductor element (Peltier element), which is cooled using electrical energy. The rest of the principle of operation is similar to the evaporation device.

If there is a need for a dehumidifier, then before purchasing it, it is necessary to calculate the correspondence between the power of the unit and the volume of the dwelling to be dried.

How to make a dehumidifier with your own hands

A do-it-yourself dehumidifier will effectively help in solving problems with excess humidity in the apartment.

Option 1 (simple)

  • Take several empty 0.5 liter containers (glass or plastic jars)
  • Fill them halfway with salt
  • Arrange jars in damp areas of rooms
  • As the salt becomes damp, change it to dry

Option 2 (more difficult)
Necessary materials:

  1. two plastic tanks with lids (volume two liters),
  2. fan (computer),
  3. cat litter (silica gel),
  4. scissors,
  5. bandage,
  6. insulating tape,
  7. awl,
  8. wire with a block for powering the fan.

Installation steps:

  • Cut the first container in half. In the lower part, on the sides of the bottle, we make holes with a heated awl.
  • Remove the lid from the top of the container, wrap the neck with a bandage in several layers.
  • We fall asleep in the lower part of the silica gel in a volume of 250 grams.
  • We lower the upper part into the lower one, with the neck with a bandage towards the silica gel.
  • At the second container, it is necessary to cut off the bottom so that it is convenient to install a fan in it. The fan should draw air into the bottle through the neck and blow it out.
  • Install the second container on top of the first and insulate the entire structure. Bring the wire from the fan into the neck of the second container.
  • Homemade dehumidifier is ready.

The fan in the dehumidifier draws moist air from the room and drives it through the desiccant, removing dry air through the holes from below. The device turns out to be quiet, and the wet adsorbent can be dried and reused.

Using any type of room dehumidification, one should not forget about the dangers of too dry air. Remember to keep an eye on the hygrometer to maintain optimal humidity in a residential area.

We don’t even think about a dehumidifier as long as there is a normal level of humidity in our home. But when water begins to flow along the walls and the ceiling is covered with mold, then you won’t think about anything else but how to get rid of excess moisture as soon as possible. In such a situation, there are three ways out: the first is to leave everything as it is and slowly die in an apartment filled with active spores of fungi and mold. The second way is to purchase an air dryer in a store, paying a few hard-earned rubles for this pleasure. Option three - make a dehumidifier for the house with your own hands from improvised material.

But you can’t take a bunch of rubbish, produce it, and it will suddenly become. You need to at least know how a dehumidifier works in order to reproduce something like this. In this article, we will consider the principle of operation of these devices and try to build a household dehumidifier on our own, according to step by step instructions which we will provide you.

We make a condensing dryer from improvised means

The functioning of units of this type is based on the laws of physics: water vapor, falling on a cold object, condenses. This is exactly the principle of a condensing dryer, or as it is also called -

Air enters the cold surface of the heat exchanger, condensing on it. After - the water flows into a special container, from where it is removed, and the air is heated by the second heat exchanger to the previous temperature and goes outside.

It is this principle that we will be guided by in the manufacture of such a homemade air dryer. The most similar household appliance is an ordinary, familiar and beloved refrigerator. We do not propose to break a good product, but it is quite possible to purchase an old device of any year of manufacture, the main thing is that it be working. To make a homemade air dryer, we need some materials:

  1. Plexiglas sheet sized to fit freezer
  2. Several metal screws
  3. Silicone sealant
  4. Two household exhaust fans
  5. Any household heater
  6. piece of rubber hose

We assemble the dehumidifier with our own hands.

  1. We cut the plexiglass to the size of the freezer and attach one fan to it, which will work for blowing air, and the second for blowing. Please note that you need to place them: one on top and the second on the bottom.
  2. In plexiglass, you need to make holes for air intake and exhaust, and another hole for the drain hose. It is better to do this in the lower corner of our impromptu transparent door.
  3. Further, everything is simple: we fix the plexiglass with self-tapping screws in place of the freezer door.
  4. All fan attachment slots and around the drain hose are treated with sealant.
  5. You can turn it on!

But we still made a dehumidifier, and not, so you need to install a heater in front of the impromptu dehumidifier, but do it so that the air flow coming out of it hits the heater. Now everything is for sure, and our homemade dehumidifier works no worse than the purchased one. True, ours is more bulky, and it doesn’t look very good, but it will look very good as a dehumidifier in the garage.

We manufacture an adsorption device for moisture absorption

Such dehumidifiers are correctly called dehumidifiers, since the principle of their operation is to pass air through a special substance, with high level absorbency. After that, the dried air is heated and removed outside. It's simple, but how to make a dehumidifier at home that will work on this principle?

First, you need to get silica gel, which has excellent absorbent properties. There is another plus in its use: it is easily “recharged”, that is, it gets rid of the moisture accumulated in it. This means that we will be able to manufacture a simple reusable drying device.

Before you do you will need the following materials:

  • Two identical plastic containers. You can use a 2 liter plastic bottle.
  • Utility knife or scissors
  • Silicogel, about 200 grams. It is easy to buy it online for a ridiculous price of about $1 per kg.
  • CPU cooling fan with power supply
  • glue gun

Let's start making a room dehumidifier.

  1. To do this, cut a plastic bottle in half.
  2. In the lower part, near the bottom, make holes with a red-hot awl. They are needed to release the dried air. Holes should not be small, they should freely pass air.
  3. Close the neck of the top of the bottle with a piece of gauze or bandage and fix it. This will be the second container, where the silica gel will be poured.
  4. We turn the cut bottle upside down, and pour the silica gel inside.
  5. Now insert the container with the adsorbent into the bottom half of the bottle.

Half of the dryer is ready.

For the lid of the homemade desiccant, we need the bottom of the second bottle.

  1. Measure about 10 cm from the bottom and cut off this piece of the container.
  2. Now the most difficult thing: in the very bottom you need to make a lot of holes, and preferably one big one for the fan. If this is difficult to do with a knife, then use a drill.

    Important!
    The hole should be slightly smaller than the fan.

  3. When everything is ready, then glue with glue gun to the bottom of the bottle so that it works for blowing.

    Important!
    For more effective work desiccant, all gaps between the bottom of the bottle cap and the fan should be carefully sealed.

  4. And the final touch: insert the cover with the fan into the first half of the dehumidifier you made as tightly as possible. For fidelity, the joints can be wrapped with tape.
  5. Now you can turn it on!

The fan blows air into the device, the air passes through the reagent (silica gel), where it loses excess moisture. After that, through the neck of the bottle and gauze, it enters the second part of the container, where it enters the room through the holes in the lower part. If you are not ready to make a dehumidifier yourself, then you can read on what models of adsorption dryers are on sale.

Oddly enough, such a desiccant works quite efficiently and quietly. It can be placed in the corner of the room so that it does not catch your eye, or you can decorate it so that it looks no worse than store-bought counterparts. After the silica gel began to do its job poorly, open the device and dry the reagent in the oven for 2-3 hours at a low temperature. After this procedure, it can again be poured into the dehumidifier and repeat everything again.

The main thing is that you learned the principle of operation of some devices that can lower the humidity in your room, and did the same with your own hands, spending quite a bit of time and money on it.

Fluctuations in temperature and humidity both indoors and outdoors create uncomfortable conditions for living in an apartment. The best way out of this situation is to install an air dryer. The industrial version is not cheap, so today we will talk about how to make a dehumidifier for an apartment with your own hands.

Why do you need a dehumidifier in your apartment?

The most unwanted and unexpected guests in our home are mold and fungus. Their spores are constantly floating around, but most of the time they are in a dormant state, because they need certain conditions to activate:

  • humidity;
  • high room temperature.

A temperature above 20 degrees Celsius is sufficient when relative humidity 80%, so that you can see with the naked eye the growth of mold and fungus colonies on the walls of the rooms. And why in this case, for example, your neighbor does not have such troubles? The answer is simple: the air temperature in all apartments is most often the same, but the humidity can vary greatly.

Air dryers

In the fight against the effects of dampness, you can, of course, significantly lower the temperature in the apartment. But who wants to live in constant cold? Due to this the best option is the installation of an air dryer.

Among other things, he will guard the health of the residents of the apartment. The body's immunity is directly dependent on the humidity of the surrounding air: the drier it is, the more difficult it is for harmful bacteria and microbes to multiply.

Dehumidification will also get rid of sweat on the windows.

Operating principle

Modern air dryers are represented by many models, which can vary significantly from each other. The first difference is the working volume, that is, the amount of water filtered by the device from the air. This parameter is measured in liters per day (24 hours).

To choose a device with the optimal volume, consider the size of the room in which it will be installed. Pay attention to the price of equipment. The larger the volume of the dehumidifier, the more expensive it is, but such a device will require less maintenance.

Dehumidifiers are portable and stationary. The first are mobile, you can use them in different rooms if necessary. Stationary mounted on the wall, their carrying is not possible, but they have greater performance.

The principle of operation of the dehumidifier is based on the change in humidity due to its condensation. Air is supplied from the room with the help of fans into the device. There it passes through the evaporator, which is a radiator, the temperature of which is lower than the temperature of the air in the room. Moisture condenses due to this temperature difference.

The simplest air dryer circuit

Drops of condensate flow down and are collected in a special container. After passing through the evaporator and cooling, the air is heated and fed into the outlet, from where it returns to the room already dry and warm.

Note! When using such a dehumidifier, you need to make sure that a quality system is equipped in the building. forced ventilation, which gives Fresh air into the room and selects mixed.

Scheme of a condensing air dryer

Such dryers are often used in the following cases:

  • to prevent fogging of windows in the premises;
  • to improve the comfort level of everyday life;
  • during the repair work.

Any Decoration Materials during repairs, when using a dehumidifier, they dry much faster. And the technology does not suffer at all: the temperature in the room remains the same.

Algorithm for creating a device with your own hands

Air dehumidification is provided by three simple principles:

  • heating;
  • adsorption;
  • condensation.

It would seem that with the help of heating the easiest way to dry the air in the room. But in fact, no one likes to constantly be in an apartment that is too hot. Therefore, we will consider the following two options: adsorption and condensation of moisture. You can make dehumidifiers based on these principles yourself.

Desiccant dryer

Perhaps the simplest option that does not require large financial and time costs.

  1. Take 2 plastic bottles. The volume of each is at least 2 liters.

    You will need 2 liter plastic bottles

  2. Perforate the bottom of the first bottle with a hot knitting needle or nail. Divide the container into two equal halves.
  3. In the lower, perforated part of the first bottle, place the second half so that it is directed with the neck down. Be sure to screw the cork onto the neck, making many holes in it with a red-hot awl.
  4. Pour any absorbent into the upper part of the structure. The best option is silica gel, which has powerful absorbent properties. Which are easily restored after drying the used substance. For one desiccant, you will need about 250 grams of silica gel.

    Use silica gel as a filler

  5. Cut off the bottom of the second bottle, fix a fan inside the container that will blow towards the cut bottom. To do this, you can use a USB fan or a cooler to cool the computer processor. Position the pressure unit of the device 7-10 centimeters from the cut bottom.

    As a fan in such a dehumidifier, you can use a cooler from the processor

  6. Put the second bottle on the container containing the adsorbent. Carefully wrap the joint with adhesive tape to seal. Unscrew the cap from the neck of the second bottle - this way you will ensure the flow of air.

    Example of connecting parts of bottles for a desiccant

Thus, you will get a low-noise and fairly efficient device that can be easily powered from a USB connector or a mobile phone charger. The fan creates an inflow force and drives the air through the silica gel, and the dried stream exits the perforations at the bottom of the structure.

Condensing dryer

This device is more complicated than the previous one, but the basis of the necessary design is easy to find in each modern home. Roughly speaking, such a dehumidifier can be made, for example, from an old refrigerator.

Refrigerator dehumidifier example

  1. Remove the door from the freezer and refrigerator compartments by disassembling the hinges. This is easy to do, since most models are equipped with removable doors.
  2. By dimensions removed doors measure the plexiglass plates at least 3 mm thick.
  3. At a distance of 30–40 cm from the edge of the plate, cut a hole into which the fan will be mounted. Its dimensions must match the protective grille of the pressure unit.
  4. Mount the fan, fix its grille with self-tapping screws. The device should work as a supply pressure unit, blowing air into the refrigerator.
  5. Drill a series of holes in the top of the Plexiglas plate. Them total area should be equal to the area of ​​the fan opening.
  6. Put in order the standard system for removing condensate from the case or modify it. To do this, connect the outer pipe above the compressor with a storage tank with a polymer hose.
  7. Fix the plexiglass with self-tapping screws in the place where the refrigerator door should be. To seal the joints and insulate them, use self-adhesive tape or silicone.

Now you just have to turn on the refrigerator, before starting the fan. It will take a little time, and the humidity in the room will decrease by 8-10%. If this homemade dehumidifier works for a long time, then in addition to humidity, the temperature in the room will also decrease.

Video: how to make a dehumidifier with your own hands

Humidity control

How to solve the problem with humidity control? Factory dehumidifiers are equipped with built-in temperature and humidity control sensors. But what about in the case of homemade device? You can use a thermometer, but it's optional and won't tell you anything about the humidity level.

Use a hygrometer. It can be arrow or digital. You can buy it in many specialized stores. In addition, such a device is often provided in the design of some modern watch models.

A hygrometer will help you control the humidity in the room.

When using a homemade dehumidifier, do not forget that too dry air can be harmful. Indeed, in addition to pathogens, there are beneficial bacteria around us that also need moisture. A hygrometer will help you determine if a dehumidifier is needed. If the humidity in the apartment has reached a critical 80%, at which mold and fungi begin to actively multiply, feel free to turn on the device. Pay attention to weather conditions: perhaps in some cases you need to use not a dehumidifier, but a humidifier.

As you can see, you can easily make your own dehumidifier. Thus, another problem is solved - the use of an old refrigerator, which is a pity to throw away, but there is nowhere to put it. Share with us your experience in dehumidifying the air in the apartment. Easy work for you and comfort for your home!

Each person wants to create warmth and comfort in his home, but sometimes temperature fluctuations and unequal air humidity in the room and outside it create conditions that bring discomfort to the inhabitants. The simplest and fastest way to solve this situation is to purchase and install an air dryer.

Industrial dryer models can be found in a specialized store, but their cost is not always affordable for the average consumer. In this case, you can resort to self-manufacturing such a device, which in terms of functionality will not be inferior to the industrial one, and at the same time the cost of its manufacture will be much lower.

Purpose of the air dryer

Most apartment owners periodically face the problem of mold and mildew. The spores by which they reproduce are carried by air currents. In the absence of certain conditions, they are in a state of calm, but when favorable conditions arise: high humidity and air temperature, they begin to actively develop.

For the development of a colony of fungus or mold, the presence of a twenty-degree air temperature with a relative humidity of 80% is sufficient. In the absence of such a phenomenon among neighbors behind the affected wall, it can be concluded that humidity has become the main factor in their development.

To solve the situation that has arisen, the main factors of its occurrence should first be eliminated. Of course, it is not always advisable to lower the temperature, especially in the autumn-winter period. In this case optimal solution is to reduce the humidity in the room through the use of a dehumidifier.

Removing fungus and mold solves not only an aesthetic problem, but also improves living conditions. After all, a humid environment is a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms that can harm human health.

What is an air dryer

The air dryer is household appliance, which is used to dehumidify a dwelling with subsequent regulation of the humidity level. It can be used not only in residential premises, but also in production. The dehumidifier is suitable for use in areas such as:

  • Utility rooms;
  • Small rooms;
  • Basement;
  • Garage;
  • dressing room;
  • Library;
  • Wine Vault.

Such devices are sufficient, transportable, simple and practical to use due to their low weight and convenient shape, moreover, their use does not require special installation work.

For production, water parks, ice arenas, cold stores, swimming pools, it is necessary to use special powerful modifications with high performance. With their help, not only air drying is carried out, but also additional terms for ventilation. Thus, the necessary microclimatic conditions are formed in the room.

The principle of operation of the dehumidifier

Modern manufacturers provide a wide range of air dryers various modifications, which differ from each other in some respects. The main distinguishing characteristics is the working volume. It represents the volume of water that can be filtered by the device from the air.

When choosing a device with the required working volume, the parameters of the room for which it is purchased should be taken into account. The cost of the dehumidifier also depends on the value of this characteristic, but despite the rather high cost, the costs of its further maintenance are reduced.

Distinguish portable and stationary dehumidifiers. Portable are characterized by the ability to transport, that is, it can be easily moved to desired room and install without problems for work. Stationary, on the contrary, are mounted on the wall, they cannot be moved, but they are characterized by high performance and power.

The principle of operation of the device is to reduce the level of humidity due to condensation. With the help of a built-in fan, the air flow enters the device, where it passes through the evaporator. This is a radiator that has a temperature an order of magnitude lower than in the room. This temperature difference contributes to moisture condensation.

The liquid that was formed in the process flows down, where it accumulates in a special container. The air that is processed in the evaporators and cooled further starts, heats up, passes to the outlet compartment from where it enters the room in a dry and warm state. It is very important when using a dehumidifier to ensure effective ventilation rooms.

In addition to changing the humidity of the air, the dehumidifier is used to:

  • Prevent fogging of windows;
  • Formation of comfortable microclimatic conditions for living;
  • During the renovation.

The use of the device during repair work accelerates the drying of finishing materials, while not violating the technology, since the temperature in the room is at the same level.

Algorithm for creating a device with your own hands

The dehumidification of indoor air flow is based on three principles:

  • The heating;
  • Adsorption:
  • Condensation.

To create favorable microclimatic conditions, heating is not always suitable, because increased temperature regime may adversely affect the inhabitants of the room. In the process of designing a dryer yourself, you should adhere to the principles of moisture condensation and adsorption, which are the most effective and easiest to implement.

Desiccant dryer

To create the simplest adsorption type dehumidifier, you do not need to purchase expensive materials and spend a lot of free time. To create an adsorption-type dryer, you need steam plastic bottles, with a volume of two liters.

The bottom of one of the containers must be perforated with a hot knitting needle, nail or other suitable object. Then the bottle should be divided into two identical components.

The next step is to place the top of the bottle into the bottom perforated one so that it is neck down.

The cork on this part of the bottle must be carefully buried, and several through holes should be made in it using the same hot nail, knitting needle or awl.

An absorbent of any type must be poured into the upper component of the structure. The most suitable is silica gel, which is characterized by high absorbent parameters. In addition, it can be easily restored after drying the used substance. For one desiccant, you need to take 250 grams of silica gel.

The bottom of the second bottle must be removed. A fan must be placed inside the bottle, which will direct the air flow towards the cut bottom. As a fan, you can use a USB fan or a cooler, which is used in a computer device to cool the processor. The pressure unit of the device must be placed at a distance of ten centimeters from the cut bottom.

The second bottle container must be put on the bottle containing the absorbent. The joint line must be carefully treated with adhesive tape to create a reliable seal. For air flow, you need to open the cap on the second bottle.

Following the manufacturing technology, it is possible to design a simple, silent, compact and efficient dehumidifier. The built-in fan creates conditions for the flow of air to and through the adsorbent, and the treated air enters the room through an opening at the bottom of the structure. The battery can be used as a power source for the fan.

Condensing dryer

A device for dehumidifying the air of a condensation type is an order of magnitude more complicated than an adsorbing version, but at the same time, the basis for its creation can be found in every home. Such a basis may be a faulty old refrigerator.

The initial step in creating a condensing type dryer is to prepare the refrigerator. To do this, remove the door from the existing compartments by disassembling the hinges. It does not take much time and effort as most modifications use removable doors.

Then you need to prepare Plexiglas plates with a minimum thickness of about three millimeters, which in size will correspond to the removed refrigerator door.

From the edge of the pre-prepared plate, holes must be made. They need to be done at a distance of thirty centimeters from the edge. These holes are intended for further installation of the fan. Its dimensions must correspond to the protective grille of the pressure unit.

Installation of the fan consists in its fastening to the grid using self-tapping screws. The principle of its operation is identical to the supply pressure unit and consists in blowing an air stream into the middle of the refrigerator.

In the prepared plexiglass plate, a series of holes should be built along the upper edge. Their area should be identical with the surface, which is intended for the construction of a hole for further fixing the fan.

It is also necessary to analyze the operation of the standard system for removing condensate from the case and, if necessary, modify or streamline it. For this purpose, it is necessary to connect the outer pipe above the compressor with the storage tank using a polymer tube.

In place of the refrigerator door, you need to fix the Plexiglas plate with self-tapping screws. For reliable sealing of joints and seams, it is recommended to use self-adhesive tape or silicone.

The preparatory stage is over, now you can start the device. First you need to start the fan, and then connect the refrigerator itself. Some time after the start of operation of a homemade dehumidifier, the humidity in the room may decrease by ten percent. After prolonged use of such a device, not only the humidity decreases, but also the ambient temperature.

Humidity control

Home-made air dryer designs are distinguished by the absence of a device for controlling the level of humidity in the room, which can create certain difficulties during its operation. In production models, there are built-in sensors that display data on humidity and temperature indicators.

In cases where a homemade dehumidifier is used, a familiar thermometer is used to measure the temperature. To pacify the level of humidity, it is advisable to purchase a hygrometer.

It is arrow and digital. Any suitable model can be purchased from a specialized store. In addition, this function can be installed on modern gadgets: computers, tablets, smartphones.

Fluctuations in temperature and humidity both indoors and outdoors create uncomfortable conditions for living in an apartment. The best way out of this situation is to install an air dryer. The industrial version is not cheap, so today we will talk about how to make a dehumidifier for an apartment with your own hands.

Why do you need a dehumidifier in your apartment?

The most unwanted and unexpected guests in our home are mold and fungus. Their spores are constantly floating around, but most of the time they are in a dormant state, because they need certain conditions to activate:

  • humidity;
  • high room temperature.

Temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius with a relative humidity of 80% are enough for you to see with the naked eye the growth of mold and fungus colonies on the walls of rooms. And why in this case, for example, your neighbor does not have such troubles? The answer is simple: the air temperature in all apartments is most often the same, but the humidity can vary greatly.

Air dryers

In the fight against the effects of dampness, you can, of course, significantly lower the temperature in the apartment. But who wants to live in constant cold? In this regard, the best option is to install an air dryer.

Among other things, he will guard the health of the residents of the apartment. The body's immunity is directly dependent on the humidity of the surrounding air: the drier it is, the more difficult it is for harmful bacteria and microbes to multiply.

Dehumidification will also get rid of sweat on the windows.

Operating principle

Modern air dryers are represented by many models, which can vary significantly from each other. The first difference is the working volume, that is, the amount of water filtered by the device from the air. This parameter is measured in liters per day (24 hours).

To choose a device with the optimal volume, consider the size of the room in which it will be installed. Pay attention to the price of equipment. The larger the volume of the dehumidifier, the more expensive it is, but such a device will require less maintenance.

Dehumidifiers are portable and stationary. The first are mobile, you can use them in different rooms if necessary. Stationary mounted on the wall, their carrying is not possible, but they have greater performance.

The principle of operation of the dehumidifier is based on the change in humidity due to its condensation. Air is supplied from the room with the help of fans into the device. There it passes through the evaporator, which is a radiator, the temperature of which is lower than the temperature of the air in the room. Moisture condenses due to this temperature difference.

The simplest air dryer circuit

Drops of condensate flow down and are collected in a special container. After passing through the evaporator and cooling, the air is heated and fed into the outlet, from where it returns to the room already dry and warm.

Note! When using such a dehumidifier, you need to make sure that the building has a high-quality forced ventilation system that supplies fresh air to the room and selects mixed air.

Scheme of a condensing air dryer

Such dryers are often used in the following cases:

  • to prevent fogging of windows in the premises;
  • to improve the comfort level of everyday life;
  • when carrying out repair work.

Any finishing materials during repairs when using a dehumidifier dry much faster. And the technology does not suffer at all: the temperature in the room remains the same.

Algorithm for creating a device with your own hands

Air dehumidification is provided by three simple principles:

  • heating;
  • adsorption;
  • condensation.

It would seem that with the help of heating the easiest way to dry the air in the room. But in fact, no one likes to constantly be in an apartment that is too hot. Therefore, we will consider the following two options: adsorption and condensation of moisture. You can make dehumidifiers based on these principles yourself.

Desiccant dryer

Perhaps the simplest option that does not require large financial and time costs.


Thus, you will get a low-noise and fairly efficient device that can be easily powered from a USB connector or a mobile phone charger. The fan creates an inflow force and drives the air through the silica gel, and the dried stream exits the perforations at the bottom of the structure.

Condensing dryer

This device is more complicated than the previous one, but the basis of the necessary design is easy to find in every modern home. Roughly speaking, such a dehumidifier can be made, for example, from an old refrigerator.

Refrigerator dehumidifier example

  1. Remove the door from the freezer and refrigerator compartments by disassembling the hinges. This is easy to do, since most models are equipped with removable doors.
  2. According to the dimensions of the removed doors, measure the Plexiglas plates at least 3 mm thick.
  3. At a distance of 30–40 cm from the edge of the plate, cut a hole into which the fan will be mounted. Its dimensions must match the protective grille of the pressure unit.
  4. Mount the fan, fix its grille with self-tapping screws. The device should work as a supply pressure unit, blowing air into the refrigerator.
  5. Drill a series of holes in the top of the Plexiglas plate. Their total area should be equal to the area of ​​the fan opening.
  6. Put in order the standard system for removing condensate from the case or modify it. To do this, connect the outer pipe above the compressor with a storage tank with a polymer hose.
  7. Fix the plexiglass with self-tapping screws in the place where the refrigerator door should be. To seal the joints and insulate them, use self-adhesive tape or silicone.

Now you just have to turn on the refrigerator, before starting the fan. It will take a little time, and the humidity in the room will decrease by 8-10%. If this homemade dehumidifier works for a long time, then in addition to humidity, the temperature in the room will also decrease.

Video: how to make a dehumidifier with your own hands

Humidity control

How to solve the problem with humidity control? Factory dehumidifiers are equipped with built-in temperature and humidity control sensors. But what about a homemade device? You can use a thermometer, but it's optional and won't tell you anything about the humidity level.

Use a hygrometer. It can be arrow or digital. You can buy it in many specialized stores. In addition, such a device is often provided in the design of some modern watch models.

A hygrometer will help you control the humidity in the room.

When using a homemade dehumidifier, do not forget that too dry air can be harmful. Indeed, in addition to pathogens, there are beneficial bacteria around us that also need moisture. A hygrometer will help you determine if a dehumidifier is needed. If the humidity in the apartment has reached a critical 80%, at which mold and fungi begin to actively multiply, feel free to turn on the device. Pay attention to weather conditions: perhaps in some cases you need to use not a dehumidifier, but a humidifier.

As you can see, you can easily make your own dehumidifier. Thus, another problem is solved - the use of an old refrigerator, which is a pity to throw away, but there is nowhere to put it. Share with us your experience in dehumidifying the air in the apartment. Easy work for you and comfort for your home!