We have a ground floor apartment in a high ranch house. The garage was converted in to our bedroom, with a closet along the garage door (which still exists). We have a problem with moisture in the bedroom, particularly in the closet, resulting in a musty smell and mildew that favors books, magazines, and leather shoes. A compressor style dehumidifier is out of the question because of the heat it would generate. In the summer, we do use a window a/c unit, but we really don't need it all the time. My second thermo-electric peltier closet dehumidifier has just died. They have been a big help, but did not completely solve the problem. In addition, I have two silicate type units (the kind that need to be plugged in to dry out). I find the disposable style silicate pellets (or "damp rid" type product) to be too messy and smelly.

I was wondering if I was contributing to the speedy demise of the thermo-electric units by letting them run all the time. Are these units not designed to do so? And what about the rods or round units that simply heat the air to dry it out? I see many of those available, but no information on how effective they are.

Other notes - we really cannot seal the bedroom. I would go mad without the window open at times. And we do have a cat that does like to go in the closet. Her safety is also important.

Thank you!

we really cannot seal the bedroom. I would go mad without the window open at times

You are fighting a losing battle. When you open the window you allow all the outside humidity you paid to remove back inside. You do pay for its removal weather by electric bill or replacement of descant.


Common sense and logic needs to be exercised.
Your only real option is to seal the room,remove as much moisture as possible and enjoy otherwise you can continue what you are doing and fight that losing battle.

:)

Bad spelling and grammar need to be exorcised.

Thanks for your input. As a proper sealing of the room should ultimately include moisture barrier on the floor, foundation repair to the house, and at minimum some kind of ground seal to meet the existing garage door, I believe we will forever be fighting that losing battle.

In the meantime, I would welcome any input that anyone has with the air warming units (rods or round units) that are available.

Bad spelling and grammar need to be exorcised.

As long as the point is made and understood it really makes no difference if there are a few misspelled words or placement in proper order.

I am not an English major but I do know how to solve problems that many other higher educated people cannot. This is why I always loved to work for them since they never understood how to walk and chew gum at the same time.

The rods may work but not in your circumstance since you cannot dry out the entire planet with your windows being open. The rods are used in boats to control moisture but the lockers where they are used are closed to the outside atmosphere.

Thermoelectric peltier units have been around a long time and are now considered cheap since production ramped up over 12 years ago. If one worked OK for you try two of the or more or just a large one. They do generate heat since there is never a free lunch. The heat generated by any unit doing work is compared to the amount of work done. Pelter units are not designed to work as hard as a compressor style dehumidifier and they do not remove as much moisture as compared to the compressor type also.