FAQS
Many of your questions can be answered by reading our Frequently Asked Questions.
For any specific questions please email us and we will provide answers by return.
Q. Is the Ruby Dry suitable for all applications?
A. Please Note: The Ruby Dry is not suitable for use within small enclosed areas or where humidity levels are in excess of 85%rH. Where very high humidity exists it may be required initially to use additional heating in conjunction with the dehumidifier. Not suitable for cold damp cellars or basements or areas with poor ventilation without ensuring adequate air movement to improve the effectiveness of the dehumidifier, for this we recommend the use of portable fans particularly for confined spaces e.g. cellars and small rooms.
Q. How often do I clean filers?
A. Your air intake filters should checked an cleaned every two weeks. You can either wash or vacuum both the main filter and carbon filter. Do not allow a blanket of dust to build up on the face of the filter as this can potentially damage the machine. Do not use the dehumidifier without the use of the carbon filter that should be changed yearly.
Q. Where do I position the dehumidifier?
A. Position the dehumidifier centrally in a home either in a hallway or perhaps on the landing. If you have a problem area then move the dehumidifier to that area
Q. Is it easy to move around?
A. At just 7.5kgs and with a top mounted carrying handle it is very easy to move around.
Q. Does it feature auto restart after a power failure?
A. Unfortunately not and therefore we would not suggest using this machine in an unattended property where there is the potential for a power interruption.
Q. Can I use it with a time clock?
A. Unfortunately not.
Q. Do I need to use it in summer?
A. Generally no advantage unless you have condensation. In summer, you may have doors and windows open so there is no advantage in using the dehumidifier
Q. The specifications of some dehumidifiers indicate that a dehumidifier can extract as much as 20 liters per day yet the water container may only hold 4 litre’s?. Is this realistic?
A. Maximum extraction rates are based on temperatures of either 32 deg C & 90% RH or 30 deg C & 80% RH. In the real world conditions within the UK it reasonable to expect a maximum of around 4 or 5 liters per day as the extract rates decrease with a drop in temperature. That is why the Ruby Dry is so good because it has almost a constant extraction rate and is not governed by temperature.
Q. I bought a dehumidifier and it runs all the time - why?
A. The dehumidifier that you purchased is probably not capable of removing the amount of moisture in this area. If your area needs to have 50 pints of moisture removed from it daily and you have a 40-pint unit, you will never catch up and the machine will run continuously.
Q. Do dehumidifiers raise the heat in my house?
A. Yes, but this can be either good or bad. The warmer the room, the easier and more efficiently you can remove moisture so the machine will have to work less. Depending on the size of the room, you could raise the temperature by 5-10 degrees.
Q. I have a second home. What happens if we have a power failure, will the machine turn itself back on?
A. That depends on the brand and model that you buy. Most dehumidifiers with manual humidistat controls will turn themselves back on. With the electronic controls it varies from make to make. The Ruby Dry unfortunately does not have auto restart.
Q. Can a dehumidifier cover multiple connected rooms?
A. That depends on the total square footage of all the rooms, the configuration of the rooms, and the openness between the rooms. The more open the rooms are to each other (not 3ft doorways), the easier it is. Having ceiling fans in the rooms to move the air would certainly help. If you don’t have ceiling fans you can add small, inexpensive fans in the rooms to help move the air in these satellite rooms into the main area where you have placed the dehumidifier.
Q.Does it filter the air?
A. All machines have an air filter mainly to protect the machine. If you specially want clean air then please look at the Daikin MC707B air purifier
Q. How quiet will it be?
A. The Ruby Dry has a minimum sound level of just 29dba on low speed. Each make and model may differ in sound levels that are measured in (dBA). The higher the (dBA) the higher the sound level. Remember, an increase in 6(dBA) is a doubling of sound
Q. Do I need to buy new Air Filters?
A. You should replace the carbon filters once per year at a cost of £15.
Q. Can I have a permanent drain fitted?
A. Yes, a permanent drain hose can be supplied and requires a 15mm i.d. hose.
Q. How does the permanent drain work?
A. The hose connects to a drain point on the dehumidifier and the hose outlet must be lower than the dehumidifier drain point.
Q. What if the hose becomes blocked?
A. The water would then go back into the integral tank and once full will switch off the dehumidifier.
Q. Can I wall mount a dehumidifier?
A. The only domestic dehumidifier we offer that can be wall mounted is the Secco Spa.
Q. Does the Ruby Dry tell me my exact humidity level?
A. No. Purchasing a Thermo-hygrometer is recommended so you can measure relative humidity.
Q. I still have condensation on windows though my dehumidifier has stopped - why?
A. Either you have the setting on the dehumidifier too high or the dehumidifier is under sized. While a relative humidity level of 50% may be ideal for your home you may have to lower the level in periods of colder weather and make your dehumidifier work harder.
Q. How long will it take to get my condensation under control?
A. This depends on the level of the problem. Generally you will see an improvement within a few days but do allow 1-2 weeks to get the problem under control.
Q. What causes condensation?
A. In Britain, condensation in houses is mainly a winter problem particularly where warm moist air is generated in living areas and then penetrates to the colder parts of the building.
The moisture in the air comes from a number of sources within the house. Water vapor is produced in relatively large quantities from normal day to day activities - a 5 person household puts about 10 kg of water into the air every day (without taking into account any heating) - i.e.
- breathing (asleep) 0.3 kg
- breathing (awake) 0.85 kg
- cooking 3 kg
- personal washing 1.0 kg
- washing and drying clothes 5.5 kg
- heating - especially paraffin and flueless gas heaters. For every liter of paraffin burnt over one liter of moisture vaporizes into air. Every carbon fuel produces some amount of water from combustion.
* (1 kg of water equates to about 1 litre)
Moisture can also be drawn from the structure of the building into the internal air; from below the floor or through the walls/ceilings.
Q. I have mould & mildew so will a dehumidifier get rid this?
A. Yes, a dehumidifier will help prevent further problems but you must use a mould spore remover to actually kill the spores.
Q. What is the difference between a dehumidifier with a compressor and one without?
A. Traditionally dehumidifiers worked on the refrigeration principle where air passed over a cold refrigerated coil and moisture condensed on the coil and drained into a container. The compressorless adsorbent machines such as Ruby Dry work on the principle of moist air being drawn into an adsorber that is basically a slowly rotating disc impregnated with silica. A heating element applies heat to the adsorber that heats the moisture to a high temperature vapor that immediately condenses into water.
Q. Do I need to change or replace the Silica on the Ruby Dry?
A. No, there is nothing to replace apart from the carbon filter once per year
Q. Is room size important when choosing a dehumidifier?
A. Yes and no. What is most important is the amount of water you need to take out of the air. The more water in the air, the larger the capacity you will need. A small room with a lot of moisture may need as much dehumidification as a large room with average moisture content. When in doubt, it's always better to oversize a dehumidifier.
Q. Can I dry clothes with a dehumidifier?
A. Yes you can. Ideally place your clothes on a drying rack and place the dehumidifier in the same room and leave on a continuous setting. Shut the door to that area and the dehumidifier will take in all moisture. The Ruby Dry is also excellent for this purpose. These machines have a high airflow to assist with the drying.
Q. Will just one dehumidifier be sufficient for my home?
A. Normally one will be sufficient but in the case of very large houses or where you may have several floor then more than one may be required
Q. Which dehumidifier do I need for my garage?
A. Garages are generally unheated so consider the Adsorption dehumidifier such as the XDry or Ruby Dry as these operate in low temperatures without losing extraction capacity. Larger Garages may need more than one machine.Very large car storage areas, warehouses etc should consider commercial dehumidifiers.
Q. Do I need to leave heating on when operating my dehumidifier?
A. The warmer the air the easier it is to extract moisture. Using a Ruby Dry is ideal if the temperature is generally on the colder side as these machines maintain extraction rates.
Q. Can I run the dehumidifier at night?
A. Yes you can but be aware that there will always be a sound from the machine when it is operating. Choose a quiet dehumidifier if it is to be used near bedrooms.
Q. Do I have to leave the dehumidifier running constantly?
A. All dehumidifiers are fitted with a humidistat that controls the operation of the machine. When the humidity level is satisfied the dehumidifier will switch off though some machines allow the circulation fan to continue.
Q. What are the running costs?
A. Allow around 3 pence per hour if running continuously though adsorption machines will have a higher cost. However, the adsorption machines such as Ruby Dry will do the job quicker at temperatures below 20 deg C and therefore overall costs may be less than with a conventional dehumidifier. Once the house is brought under control the actual running costs may be around 1 pence per hour, as the dehumidifier will need to operate less.
Q. Do all dehumidifiers have a humidity control?
A. Yes they generally have. The Ruby Dry has a setting of 40/50/60 %RH.
Q. What is the ideal humidity level for my home?
A. Between 40 and 60% so the ideal would be 50% but this may be less in very cold weather conditions..
Q. Do all dehumidifiers have a water container?
A. Yes, all domestic dehumidifiers have a container that ranges from 3.5 liters to 5.5 liters capacity.
Q. Will the dehumidifier switch off when the tank is full?
A. Yes, all tanks are fitted with a float switch so once full they will shut off the machine.
Q. When will delivery be?
A. If you order prior to 1pm on any working day you will receive the machine the following working day. However, deliveries to the Highland & Islands or to Northern Ireland may take 2/3 days.
Q. Saturday Delivery?
A. We can arrange delivery on a Saturday for an additional cost of £15
Q. Do I need so be in to receive the dehumidifier?
A. No, as long as you have a safe place where it can left and give us your permission along with leaving a note with your signature for the delivery company. We can also arrange delivery to your workplace if that is more conveneient to you.
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