Introduction
I like to be able to breathe easily in my own home. But, I didn’t do anything to improve the air quality in my living space until I began to notice patches of mould beginning to appear in the corners of the bathroom. An hour of scrubbing later, and I was ready to admit it: excess humidity was becoming a problem for me, and installing a dehumidifier is the answer. That is how I found the Meaco 20l platinum dehumidifier.
Things to consider before buying a dehumidifier
It’s obvious from the word ‘dehumidifier’ that these little gadgets reduce the levels of humidity in the air. Humidity can cause respiratory problems, and it can promote the growth of mould spores on walls and furnishings. These can pose a real health hazard, particularly if anyone in your household is elderly or very young, or with a delicate constitution or any allergies. In sum, dehumidifiers make the air feel fresh and clear with every breath that you take. If you have any issues with humidity in your home or workplace, purchasing a product like the Meaco platinum 20l can be a very smart choice. Nevertheless, there are a few things to think about before buying a dehumidifier, for instance:
- Space: do you have enough space to install it in an appropriate location?
- Noise: some dehumidifiers do make a whirring or humming sound. If this will be an issue for you, it is worthwhile investigating quieter dehumidifying units.
- Capacity: if your home has very high humidity levels, you will need to purchase a higher capacity unit.
- Disposal of waste water: how will you get rid of the water extracted from the air that collects in the dehumidifier unit? It can be recycled, for instance, and used to water your plants, though it is not safe to drink.
- Cost: is the cost of the unit itself within your budget? And, are you prepared to add its running costs onto your energy bills?
If, having considered all of these issues, you decide that purchasing a dehumidifier is not the best option for you, there are alternatives. One is to install an updated ventilation system in your home, for instance, or to purchase double glazing to reduce condensation. Alternatively, you can use pouches of dessicant in the worst affected areas.
Presenting the Meaco 20l low energy dehumidifier
This is a compact dehumidifier that, as its name indicates, does not guzzle too much energy. It is specifically designed to combat mould, condensation and damp patches.
The fact that it is suitable for large spaces (the product information specifies that it can be used for homes with 3-5 bedrooms) whether or not they are heated, means that it will be a good choice for most domestic properties. When you buy this dehumidifier, you can ask for it to come with a HEPA filter.
Compared to earlier versions from Meaco, this dehumidifier has a higher capacity (prior to this gadget, Meaco’s most popular dehumidifier had a capacity of just 8l).
Moreover, when compared to market leaders such as Ebac and El-Björn, this dehumidifier from Meaco generally offers a much lower energy solution and so you will get less of a shock when you open your quarterly energy bills.
Nevertheless if you are looking for an industrial sized dehumidifier for a larger commercial space (rather than a private home), it may be worth while looking at a company such as El-Björn because industrial sized dehumidifiers are what they specialise in.
Pro’s of the Meaco 20l Patinum
- Low energy
- Suitable for most homes
- Specifically targets mould, damp and condensation
- Suitable for use in non heated spaces
Con’s of the Meaco 20l Platinum
- Capacity not high enough to fully dehumidify homes with more than 5 bedrooms
- Not the best dehumidifier for a large commercial space
- Not as compact as lower capacity dehumidifiers
Features & Benefits
Let’s look more closely at the main features and advantages of this Meaco 20l low energy dehumidifying device.
Firstly, the dehumidifier can be used in non heated spaces. This is very important because in the summer months, you probably will not want to have the heating on in your house and yet you might still be having issues with damp and allergies. You also don’t want to waste money heating up rooms that you do not really use all of the time, just so that you can dehumidify them.
Secondly, this item has a very good capacity – 20l to be precise – which means that you will not need to empty it every single day. Smaller dehumidifiers need much more regular attention in terms of emptying them on a daily basis (sometimes on a twice daily basis) which can leave you feeling like Tantalus rolling his boulder up the hill only for it to roll back down again immediately. I have found that I can comfortably leave this device from Meaco running for a whole week and then empty it like clockwork every Friday morning.
Thirdly, this is probably the most energy efficient dehumidifier on the market. As such, it means that you can keep your living space free of humidity without having to worry about the impact on your energy bills.
Fourthly and finally, one feature that I like about this dehumidifier is its aesthetic. It has a cool, modern look and despite its great capacity it seems very compact. Its clean, white colour means that it will fit right in with any type of decor, just like the other white goods in your home.
Social Proof
Whilst thinking about buying this product, I took a look at some of the reviews from humidity haters on the web who had already bought it. Reviews were generally very positive, and reviewers particularly emphasised the ease with which the product can be used, its great capacity and (of course) the fact that it is a low energy device that goes easy on your electricity bills. You can check out other reviews from Amazon here
Alternatives
If you are finding it hard to source this exact dehumidifier, there are alternatives to the Meaco 20l platinum model. Here are three that I particularly like:
1. The Pro-Breeze Dehumidifier
This is a much more compact item than the Meaco dehumidifier reviewed here, and it is also portable which makes it great for taking with you on holiday if you want to combat your allergies in a hotel room (or even in a tent!). It does, however, have a much smaller total tank capacity than the Meaco Platinum dehumidifier (namely, just 500ml) and a daily dehumidifying capacity of just 250ml. Why might you want to buy this item over and above the Meaco dehumidifier? I think there are two reasons:
- It’s smaller, and so great for single rooms and small spaces like wardrobes (we all hate getting mould or damp on our clothes)
- It’s portable and so easier to carry with you when you are on the go.
If you just want a small humidifier to put in a bedroom or to take with you when you travel (as opposed to a device that can dehumidify your entire home), it is a good idea to check this item out.
2. The UniBond Absorber Device
This gadget is much cheaper than the Meaco Platinum Dehumidifier, reflecting the fact that it is a much more basic product. Nevertheless, it is silent and very compact, so great for popping in to your wardrobe or into a guest bedroom that doesn’t suffer from too heavy humidity. Why should you consider this product compared to the Meaco product? Well, it’s:
- Cheaper: a pack of 7 costs just £8
- Small and compact and so takes up less space.
If you are happy with something small and very basic, then this is a relatively good option to consider. Find out more by clicking here.
3. The Ivation Mid Size Thermo Electric Dehumidifier
I have already mentioned that the Meaco dehumidifier is not that suitable for large spaces (such as a big office building). But what if you want to dehumidify a large house or warehouse? Here, the Ivation dehumidifier could be a better option, as it can extract up to 25oz of water from the air per day, and it can dehumidify up to 2, 200 square feet at a time. Be prepared to pay a little extra, but do check out this item if you want something:
- Higher capacity
- Industrial strength
- Suitable for much larger spaces
Conclusion
Humidity can be awful, especially if (like me) you suffer from mould related allergies. A dehumidifier will stop those damp and mouldy patches forming in your home, get rid of condensation, and make every breath of air feel fresher and cleaner.
The Meaco Platinum dehumidifier is, I have found, a wonderful choice as it is compact, smart looking and high capacity. At the same time, it is designed using low energy technology and so it does not have a huge undesirable impact on your energy bills. Click through now to take a look at this product in more detail.
If you would like to check out some of our other product reviews you can do by clicking here or if you would like some help and advice with keeping your home humidity free check out these helpful hints and guides.
