Dehumidifier for bedroom

[Justsaying22]

My son’s bedroom suffers from terrible condensation overnight in the colder months. The condensation is there in the morning on the outside wall and part of the ceiling and these areas now have mould on them. I’m forever cleaning the mould off. I’ve tried keeping the windows open during the day but overnight the moisture builds up again during colder weather. Has anyone else had this problem and found a dehumidifier that they can run overnight that helps please. My son has Tourettes and a coughing tic and I feel the mould could be exacerbating his tics. I’d really appreciate it if anyone could advise on models of dehumidifiers that they could recommend. Thanks

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Ebac and meaco are the best brands I think but might be a bit noisy to have in the room overnight. Also, it sounds like there is a serious condensation problem if there is that much there. How cold is the room? Could keeping it a bit warmer be an option.

Is the room cold op. As in below 18 degrees and below who guidance as to,what is healthy?

meaco is very good. Sounds like you need to run one continuously for a week or two not just overnight. Our Meaco tells you the humidity levels when it’s on and us two fan settings the lower fan isn’t that loud so I don’t think it would bother him overnight.you probably need something else to resolve the mould though as well.

I wouldn't run it overnight it can be really drying being in the room with one and dry out nose/throat/eyes and generally not very good for skin.

Could you run a dehumidifier when he first gets up and keep the room ventilated/Warner during the day.
If the condensation is on the wall is there adequate insulation? Are there any cracks that could be contributing

Is there condensation on the window in the morning?
Does the room have a radiator?
If so, is your central heating on?
Are there trickle vents in the windows?
Is this an upstairs bedroom and if so, have you had the gutters checked/cleared recently?

Don’t run a dehumidifier when he’s in the room. Run it during the day when the room is closed up. Make sure there is no other liquid in the room as it will be sucked up by the dehumidifier

do you ventilate the room? Open the windows every single day and keep the door open.

I can’t recommend a specific one but can tell you they make a huge change to a damp house.

Don’t run it whilst the windows are open you’ll just be dehumidifying the outside

I recommend EcoAir DD3 CLASSIC MK2, apparently it's a Which? Best Buy. It's quiet, has a large water reservoir and - being a dessicant dehumidifier - expels warm air. Leave it set at 50% humidity and it will switch itself off and on, maintaining that level. We also have a smaller ecoair dehumidifier and that performs well too.

Just a point to consider that dessicant dehumidifiers cost a fair bit more to run than condensor dehumidifiers. I have one of each (Meaco) and prefer the dessicant but it's something to be aware of.

That’s very interesting @CovertImage I have an ebac one which I understand is a condensor type, so good to know that it’s cheaper to run. But in what way is your desiccant one better - is it faster, quieter?

I have a Meaco and a Prem-i-Air - both bought off Gumtree.

The Meaco costs 5.4p per hour to run. The desiccant one costs 20p per hour to run but it sucks up over 2.5 times the amount of water (I measured!) plus it also heats the room / helps to dry laundry. I think the fan is stronger too.

If it's a cold room / OP doesn't have the central heating on, a desiccant would work better.

Condensation is excess moisture in the air. Mould is more serious and could be caused by a leak somewhere - gutters, bathroom above etc.

Window open slightly during the night. Closed and dehumidifier on during the day. Ebac dehumidifiers are excellent.

Hi @Justsaying22, thanks for posting! If you're still looking for a dehumidifier for your son's bedroom. Take a look at our Swears By article on the best dehumidifiers. We wrote it after collating Mumsnet users' recommendations and consumer reviews. Hope it's helpful and please let us know if you have any feedback on the page.😀

Thanks so much for the comments everyone. I appreciate every one.

We do have trickle vents and we have a radiator in the room. I’ll try leaving windows open for longer during the day but it’s overnight when my son is in bed, when the condensation accumulates on the wall and it takes ages to dry out and this is causing mould. The gutters are fine and there are no leaks. It’s a small room with 2 really cold outside walls.

I'm still pondering whether to go for a desiccant or the other type. As JamMakingWannaBe and CovertImage state, the cost is higher with the desiccant but there again, I may need to run it part of the night and if I do, it may be too cold for the non desiccant type to work?

Could anyone advise what particular Meaco they have please? I’ll check out the eco air also. Also if I decide to try running a desiccant during the day, I’m wondering if as it expels warm air, if it would make the room too hot?

Ah decisions. I just need to do something as I am going to have to repaint the room yet again soon and I want to try and get on top of the issue.

The excess water is coming from somewhere.

Condensation to the extent it is causing mould on your walls is not just coming from the hot air your DS is breathing out overnight.

Do you have an extractor for your hob / kettle?
Do you have an extractor fan in your bathroom?
Are you drying wet laundry inside?

I am putting out a call for @PigletJohn - the resident MN plumbing/water guru.

As well as a dehumidifier - run during the day with the windows and doors closed- I would suggest you need a window vac. You need to be removing the excess water. As previous, have a look on Gumtree/Marketplace etc.

Did you get anything sortedOP? I’m having the same problem.

I’ve decided to order a Meaco dehumidifier, but they are presently out of stock online and I’m just waiting for new stock to come in. Possibly the Arete 20l

I got a little 2L one for the bedroom from currys. Not sure if the make but it was one of the cheaper full size ones. Hasn't got a laundry function. My room was 70/80% most of the time and I realised I needed one when the salt lamp I'd just put in there started running with water!

When I'm working I put it on when I first get up until I leave and then on again when I get home. Its staying around the 40/45% Mark now and goes up to about 60% overnight. Has made a difference and my asthma is feeling better too.

My 12Lone was delivered yesterday. Can't wait to try it.

thanks for posting! Once you’ve used it for a few days could you pop back on this thread and give us a quick review userxx. I love a new appliance 😆. Hope it lives up to expectations!

Not a problem, I'll let you know,

That’s great! I feel excited to see your review.. mind you, I’m the kind of person who gets excited with a new hoover. Our particular issue is condensation. I’m curious to know what the noise levels are like too.