EcoAir DD1 Classic MK5 Desiccant Dehumidifier
For the purpose of clarity, this is a review of the EcoAir DD1 Classic Mk5 Desiccant Dehumidifier (formerly DD122 Classic), purchased with hard-earned cash.
Overview
The EcoAir DD1 Mk5 Desiccant dehumidifier sets the bar for home desiccant dehumidifiers with its innovative design and a wealth of comprehensive features that optimize performance and save energy. It rectifies problem areas quickly and maintains them intelligently by toggling between full power, economy and standby modes as it senses the environment around it. This means that once your environment is under control, dehumidification requirements will be adjusted continuously so that power is only consumed when absolutely necessary. It works effectively at cold temperatures, even as low as 1ºC. Its operating range of 1ºC-40ºC makes this machine incredibly versatile for use in almost any home enclosure.
EcoAir DD1 Mk5 Classic Desiccant Dehumidifier
The EcoAir DD1 Classic Mk5 Desiccant Dehumidifier can be used to dry laundry indoors quickly yet keep humidity levels within a comfortable range. Clothes dried with the assistance of this dehumidifier smell fresher than those dried more slowly indoors.
The 3D-Louvre on top of the machine can be controlled to tackle problem areas quickly, like mould growth on a wall, by channeling airflow towards a target in a precise manner.
3D-Louvre
The selective Ioniser purifies the air by releasing negative ions from the air outlet. This has a normalizing effect on the human body, providing ideal conditions for breathing and relaxation. A silver filter traps airborne particles and kill bacteria on contact. The filter is designed to be cleaned very easily.
Desiccant technology means no more noisy compressor at the heart of the machine. This model is advertised as Whisper Quiet at only 34 dB(A). Measurements made confirm this fact, but whether or not you could sleep with this unit running in the same room is a moot point. However, it is barely audible at night when operating on a landing behind a closed bedroom door.
The unit has intuitive controls, a filter that is quick and easy to clean and a neat carrying handle that folds flush with the top of the unit.
EcoAir DD1 Classic Mk5 Desiccant Dehumidifier Water Collection
The EcoAir DD1 Classic Mk5 Desiccant Dehumidifier has a water tank capacity of 2 Litres, which is simple to empty and replace. An anti drip mechanism prevents water drips when the tank is removed. Continuous drainage is possible with a supplied hose that can be plumbed into existing waste outlets.
What’s in the box?
Packaging and Contents
The EcoAir DD1 Classic MK5 Desiccant Dehumidifier arrives well packaged with the main unit protected with polystyrene blocks. Included with the dehumidifier is a transparent hose 1.2m in length and 12mm in inner diameter. This can be connected to the dehumidifier if continuous drainage is desired. A manual, which contains the 2 Year Guarantee Card on the final page completes the ensemble.
The EcoAir DD1 Classic Mk5 Desiccant Dehumidifier manual
Specifications
- Temperature range: 1ºC to 40ºC
- Dehumidification extraction rate: 7 Litres/day @ 20ºC and 60% RH
- Water tank capacity: 2 Litres (Continuous drainage possible)
- Voltage: 220-240V @ 50Hz
- Net weight: 6 Kg
- Dimensions: 290mm x 475mm x 175mm
Review
Design
The EcoAir DD1 Classic Mk5 Desiccant Dehumidifier is impressively smart and fashionable in design and would compliment most decors and furnishings. It is slender enough to tuck away in a corner when not in use. And, it does not seem obtrusive at all when brought out for use. The blue light in the front grill is in vogue with modern appliances and rounds off a very pleasing design.
Operation
The push button controls on top of the unit are intuitive and easy to press. The dehumidifier can be programmed for simple or specific tasks with just a few button presses.
Essentially, the amount of noise emitted from the machine is governed by the two power settings, economy and high. The type of sound that is created is akin to the noise made by the fan in an extraction hood, common to most kitchens. If you want some idea of how this unit will sound, and more importantly, how loud it will be, go into your kitchen and listen to your extractor fan on low and high settings. The video below compares the sound from the EcoAir DD1 Classic Mk5 Desiccant Dehumidifier with the fan of an extractor hood. Sound intensity levels from both units are also measured and displayed for comparative purposes. Advertised as Whisper Quiet at 34 dB(A), measurements made during the making of this video confirm that the intensity of the sound emitted is correct. However, the type of noise created is unlike a whisper, and in my opinion, it is not pleasant to listen to. Nontheless, behind a closed door, the noise is barely noticeable.
Sound measurements taken at a distance of 1 metre (3ft) from all sources.
Buy the EcoAir DD1 Classic Mk5 Desiccant Dehumidifier from Amazon UK
On the high power setting, the EcoAir DD1 Classic Mk5 Desiccant Dehumidifier will dehumidify a room to comfortable levels within a very short period of time. Additionally, the unit will dry partially dried washing very quickly and wet washing reasonably quickly, and at the same, heat the room and maintain a comfortable humidity level. Clothes dried rapidly in this way smell fresher than clothes that are dried more slowly on radiators or airers. Although this dehumidifier cannot compete with the drying times of tumble driers, the EcoAir DD1 Classic Mk5 Desiccant Dehumidifier is a viable alternative for those seeking to dry their laundry in a smarter way; where space is at a premium or home occupancy is low.
This model uses 300W and 590W of power in economy and high power modes respectively. You can calculate the cost of using this appliance by entering these details and your electricity tariff in this calculator. To give you an idea of the energy cost, you will also need to enter how often you expect to use this device.
Don’t be alarmed when you see the prediction! The EcoAir DD1 Classic Mk5 Desiccant Dehumidifier really is an efficient device. This means you will not need to run it as often as you first thought. It will get humidity levels in your home under control very quickly and then it will be a case of running the unit when needed to maintain those levels, or to dry laundry effectively.
Change your habits
Condensation will not disappear instantly when a dehumidifier is in operation. If you are generating excessive amounts of water vapour from cooking, boiling a kettle, washing, showering or bathing, it will be necessary to ventilate your property by opening windows and using extractor fans to expel the excessive humidity.
Digital Temperature – Hygrometer
Invest in a digital hygrometer that will measure and display the humidity level of the room you keep it in. Switching on your dehumidifier only when humidity levels are excessive will keep your energy costs low. If you own a home weather station or a modern smart phone, then the chances are that you already have a hygrometer at hand.
Conclusion
Positives:
- Sleek, modern design and aesthetically pleasing. Its slender design makes it easy to store.
- Incorporates intelligent features that run in parallel to optimise efficiency and reduce power consumption.
- Desiccant technology means a consistent extraction efficiency over a large temperature range. Extraction rate of 7 Litres/day @ 20ºC and 60% RH.
- 2 Litre water collection tank capacity with the option for continuous drainage.
- No compressor means a quieter product.
- 3D-Louvre system can target problem areas by channeling airflow precisely.
- Purifies the air with negative ions to aid breathing and relaxation.
- Silver filter scrubs air particulate matter and kills bacteria on contact.
- Dries laundry very quickly while maintaining comfortable humidity levels and thereby preventing condensation.
- Works so effectively that you will use it occasionally rather than continuously. This keeps energy costs down.
- Built in shutdown timer.
- Lightweight and easy to carry at only 6Kg.
Negatives:
- Although the intensity of noise produced is low and in keeping with that stated by the manufacturer, the type of noise produced in unpleasant to listen to, especially in the high power mode. However, the noise is barely detectable through closed doors. That said, deployment times and locations can be organised so as not to annoy people in the home.
- Although this dehumidifier contains a hygrometer to measure the humidity level around it, it does not display that measurement. This would have been a useful feature.
- The humidity thresholds at which the dehumidifier switches to economy, high power and standby modes are preset and cannot be altered. The option to change these would have been beneficial for refining power savings.
A very good product and value for money.
Buy the EcoAir DD1 Classic Mk5 Desiccant Dehumidifier from Amazon UK
Humidity Guide
There will always be water vapour (or moisture) in the air. Water vapour in the air is measured as the ratio of the actual amount of water vapour in the air to the amount it could hold when saturated, and expressed as a percentage. This measurement is known as % Relative Humidity (% RH). Too much or too little moisture in the home can be unhealthy and uncomfortable. The optimum humidity range is 40% – 60% RH.
It is important to maintain a consistent humidity range to preserve your home and possessions and at the same time, remain comfortable and healthy.
Low Humidity
If indoor humidity is too low, this can lead to excess drying which in turn can cause skin irritations, eczema, chapped hands and a dry nose. It can also cause damage to wooden furniture, musical instruments and works of art by drying them out too much.
High Humidity
High humidity indoors causes condensation and damp. The damp left by condensation can damage plaster, wall paper, furniture, vehicles, timber, windows, doors and clothes.
Damp areas are breeding grounds for anaerobic bacteria in the air, which land in patches of moisture and then thrive, ultimately resulting in visible mould, fungus and the accompanying musty smells.
% Relative Humidity Guide
Condensation
The graph below shows the relationship between temperature and the amount of water that can be held in the air at 1 Atmosphere of pressure.
Amount of Water in Air (g/Kg) Versus Air Temperature | Graph calculated from http://www.lenntech.com/calculators/humidity/relative-humidity.htm
Warm air has the potential to hold more moisture than colder air. When the air inside the house becomes colder, the moisture content in the air can no longer be held as the air becomes saturated and water molecules coalesce to form droplets of water on colder surfaces like windows, bathroom mirrors and walls. This is condensation caused by a rapid increase in % relative humidity.
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