Dehumidifiers and window vacuums are both widely recommended when it comes to banishing condensation from our homes, but which one is better? We put them to the test to find out
Condensation is a big problem in homes over the winter, and if you don’t get rid of it quickly, it can cause the areas around your windows to become damp, creating the perfect breeding ground for mould.
When it comes to tackling condensation, both electric dehumidifiers and window vacuums are often touted as excellent methods for banishing the unwanted water droplets. However, both of these items can be pricey and if you only want to buy one, which one works best? And more importantly, do either of them work at all? That’s the question the Daily Record’s Trends Editor Sophie Law set out to answer when she tried tackling her ongoing condensation problem with each of the devices. Here is what she found.
I unfortunately have the pleasure of living in a home where condensation is an ongoing problem. I live in a Victorian property, and while single-glazed sash and case windows may look nice, they are terrible at retaining heat and offering ventilation. It means I’m left with condensation on my windows morning, noon and night, which cranking the heating up or letting in cold air just won’t seem to fix.
After doing a lot of research, I decided it was time to try out both a window vacuum and a dehumidifier in my quest to conquer condensation. Browsing Amazon, I bought the CONOPU Dehumidifier at £39.99 and Tower T131001 Cordless Window Cleaner for £19 both of which received glowing reviews.
Window vacuum
Let’s start with the window vacuum. Picture this: It’s a gloomy morning, and my windows are covered in those pesky droplets of condensation. Armed with my trusty window vacuum, I set out on my mission to make my windows crystal clear.
The vacuum itself was lightweight and easy to handle. As I started vacuuming away, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the device sucked up all the moisture. It left my windows streak-free and sparkling clean. It’s like a magic wand for banishing condensation – there’s something undeniably satisfying about seeing those droplets disappear before your eyes. Plus, the fact that it was cordless made it super convenient to move around and reach all those tricky spots.
For £19, it is an affordable option, you just have to put in a little elbow grease each morning. Other models include the Kärcher WV2 Plus N Window Vac currently £56 on Amazon, or £45 at B&Q for the WV2 Plus D500 model. The Beldray BEL0749 Cordless Window Vac has also been slashed to £23 on Amazon.
Dehumidifier
Now, let’s switch gears to the dehumidifier. This little wonder machine is designed to tackle excess moisture in the air, which helps prevent condensation from forming in the first place. The particular CONOPU Dehumidifier model promised air that felt fresher, and that damp, musty smell to be gone. Plus, it had some nifty features, like LED lights and a quiet setting.
I placed the dehumidifier in my living room with high hopes of banishing condensation and creating a more comfortable environment. However, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Initially, the dehumidifier seemed to be working just fine. It was quietly humming away, and I could see the water tank filling up, indicating that it was indeed extracting moisture from the air. I was hopeful that it would solve my condensation problem once and for all.
After a few days of continuous use, I noticed that the condensation on my windows hadn’t really improved significantly, which was puzzling. I double-checked the settings, made sure the dehumidifier was functioning properly, but I couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t having the desired effect. It seemed like the dehumidifier wasn’t powerful enough to handle the high humidity levels in my living room.
Perhaps the size of the dehumidifier wasn’t suitable for the room’s dimensions, or maybe the moisture levels were just too extreme for it to handle effectively. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to discredit the capabilities of dehumidifiers in general. They can be incredibly effective in the right conditions. In fact, I’ve heard numerous success stories from friends who have used dehumidifiers to combat condensation with great results.
With a price point of £39.99, I can’t complain. I’m sure this dehumidifier, which is excellent value compared to others on the market, would work for mild cases of condensation. It’s possible that my particular situation was just a bit more challenging than the average. In the end, I decided to research a stronger, yet slightly more expensive model of dehumidifier which I plan to purchase in the Black Friday sales. For example, the Aribio 12L Dehumidifier has great reviews, as does the Meaco Dry Arete One 25 Litre Dehumidifier from Argos.
Results
So, which one is the champion in the battle against condensation? I had high hopes that both devices would form a dynamic duo against the dreaded dampness, but sadly that wasn’t the case.
The Tower T131001 Cordless Window Cleaner for £19 was fantastic for those immediate, visible results, giving me instant gratification. While the the CONOPU Dehumidifier failed to tackle the root cause in my case, I’ll definitely be researching another model. In the grand scheme of things, tackling condensation requires a multi-pronged approach, and it’s not uncommon to encounter some trial and error along the way.
So, whether you prefer the immediate gratification of a window vacuum or the long-term benefits of a dehumidifier, you can’t go wrong. Just remember to choose the one that suits your needs and preferences. Here’s to clear windows and condensation-free spaces!
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