1. to remove excess moisture from the air
   to cool stuffy rooms
2. to deodorize the air

A dehumidifier is used to remove moisture from the air inside your home. Too much humidity can weaken your home's structure, attract pests and even make you sick.

1. damp towels in the bathroom
   condensation on windows
2. cracks in wood furniture

An obvious sign of too much moisture is condensation on the windows. Cracks in wood furniture may be a sign of dry air.

1. how wet the air feels on your skin
   sweating when meeting your future in-laws
2. the amount of water vapor the air can hold at a given temperature

The fixed amount of water vapor that air can hold varies according to the air temperature; relative humidity is the ratio of actual vapor in the air to this fixed amount.

1. 50 percent
   75 percent
2. 100 percent

The relative humidity is 100 percent at the state of saturation.

1. 10-30 percent
   30-50 percent
2. 50-70 percent

For a home with a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), the ideal relative humidity should be between 30 and 50 percent.

1. Both remove moisture from warm air.
   Both hold liquid.
2. Both are found in homes.

Just like a soda can, a dehumidifier cools warm air, which causes condensation. Condensation is moisture that has been removed from the air.

1. to attract mold and mildew
   to collect excess water
2. to supply water to the unit

The reservoir collects moisture that the dehumidifier removes from the air. Make sure to empty the reservoir regularly, or you may have a sopping wet mess.

1. It can replace your heating system.
   It can lessen the need to run your air conditioner.
2. You can use the water that collects in the dehumidifier.

A dehumidifier can help decrease the amount of time you use your air conditioner because air feels cooler as excess moisture is removed, and the water collected in the dehumidifier can be recycled.

1. Moist air irritates your nose.
   Moist air is difficult to breathe.
2. Moist air promotes fungus and mold.

Moist air promotes the growth of allergens such as fungus and mold. For those without allergies, preventing mold in your home is still good advice to follow.

1. $50
   $150
2. $350

Dehumidifiers start at about $150. Although not cheap, a dehumidifier can more than pay for itself in the health benefits it brings to you and your family.

1. to measure relative humidity
   to measure temperature
2. to measure dust particles in air

A humidistat measures relative humidity. Some dehumidifiers have programmable humidistats that allow you to set the desired level of relative humidity.

1. Drink it.
   Water plants with it.
2. Boil pasta in it.

The condensation collected by a dehumidifier is referred to as gray water. Gray water isn't suitable for drinking or cooking but is great for watering plants.

1. to absorb odor
   to absorb moisture
2. to add a pleasant smell

Some types of dehumidifiers use desiccants to absorb moisture; to get an idea of desiccants, think of the little paper packets that come in the box of a new pair of shoes. Desiccant dehumidifiers do not cool the air, so they are used mostly in very cold climates.

1. The water that collects in the dehumidifier is poisonous.
   Insects do not like the sound the machine makes.
2. It removes excess moisture from inside the house that might attract bugs.

Creepy crawlers like a moist environment. Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture to make your home unattractively dry for them.

1. poor housekeeping
   excess moisture in the air
2. broken wood slats

Creaky stairs may be a sign of excess moisture in your home, since wood swells as it absorbs moisture.

1. Keep doors and windows closed.
   Tighten faucets after use.
2. Promptly repair any leaks.

Promptly repairing leaks will prevent excess moisture from accumulating in your home. Even if you choose not to buy a dehumidifier, you should still take steps to remove excess moisture.

1. refrigerative
   chiller
2. fanned

The most common dehumidifier is known as the refrigerative dehumidifier, since a refrigerator and this type of humidifier both have a compressor and cooling coils.

1. vacuum
   straw
2. fan

A dehumidifier's fan pulls in air and blows it across cooling coils or a desiccant to draw out moisture.

1. Warm the air and exhaust it.
   Recirculate the air.
2. Cool the air.

The final stage of the dehumidifying process is to warm the air and exhaust it. An air conditioner operates similarly, but it does not heat the air.

1. by foggy windows
   in a corner
2. away from walls and furniture

A portable dehumidifier should be placed away from walls and furniture so the air can circulate.