Do You Need a Dehumidifier?
Evaporated pool water inside a pool enclosure can cause a build-up of heat and humidity, forming condensation that can cause mold and mildew on walls and furniture.
"The basic rule is to create air movement at all levels and to keep humidity below 50 percent," says Gary Shaked, an indoor air quality manager with TERS: Total Environmental Restoration Solutions, Inc., in Tarrytown, New York. (You can measure the relative humidity inside the pool enclosure using a hygrometer, or relative humidity indicator.)
To keep humidity below 50 percent, first try natural ventilation — opening sliding doors, screens and retractable roof panels.
A typical ventilation system uses a forced air fan or wall-mounted ventilator, galvanized metal ductwork, fresh air intake, supply registers, return air grills and a thermostat.
In cooler regions with drier air, "it's far less costly to use ventilation than desiccant driers or high-capacity humidification systems," says Stephen Klossner, technical director of the American Lung Association Health House in St. Paul, Minnesota. In warmer climates, however, where the outdoor air may be more humid than indoor air, you might need a dehumidifier to remove moisture mechanically.