For now, we leave you with this simple one: use a dehumidifier during the spring, summer and early fall to keep moisture at bay, but unplug and stow it away during the winter to prevent damage to your unit.
Once temperatures drop to around 65 degrees, it's best to turn the dehumidifier off.
Running a dehumidifier in the summer months is one way to improve indoor air quality and help lower the occurrence of allergy symptoms and asthma attacks.
However, many people wonder if their dehumidifier should run in the winter. The answer is that, in most cases, dehumidifiers typically do not need to run during the winter months in most areas because the air is naturally dry due to low humidity and the use of heating systems.
When the temperature in the space where you run your dehumidifier starts getting down around 65° F, it's time to think of unplugging your unit and stowing it away for the winter. The lifetime of dehumidifiers usually ranges from five to 10 years.
Although the energy consumption for small and medium-sized dehumidifiers is relatively low, long-term usage (especially older, less energy-efficient models) can add up to be quite a substantial amount. This is compounded by the fact that most dehumidifiers run 12 to 24 hours daily.
The windows in a room should be kept closed when running a dehumidifier. As open windows let moisture in from the outside, they can work against the dehumidifier and keep the room from drying out because the continuous flow of air can be counterproductive.
Can you dehumidify too much? There is a chance of dehumidifying your home too much with a dehumidifier, especially if you are leaving your dehumidifier running for several hours on a timer unattended. Over-dehumidifying your home can lead to an increased chance of respiratory illnesses and dry and cracked skin.
If you're concerned about spending too much on your electricity bill, you can try calling your energy company and asking about the “best times.” Usually, the best times to run your unit, that will save you money, is between 10 pm and 7 am — this is when less people are consuming energy, which drives down the rates.
“Do dehumidifiers add heat to a room?” It's one of our most commonly asked customer questions. The answer is your comfort level won't change. Yes, dehumidifiers naturally create a small amount of heat as they operate.
When Should You Use Your Dehumidifier? Use your dehumidifier in damp, stuffy rooms. A relative humidity of 40 to 50 percent is ideal. More than that can lead to mildew and mold, and below 30 percent can cause structural issues.
Mould will easily grow and spread if the right conditions are present. So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity. However, the best way to deal with it is to get rid of its source.
Not only is it safe to sleep with a dehumidifier on, but it can also bring some surprising benefits. One of the main advantages of using a dehumidifier while sleeping is reducing allergens and irritants like dust mites, mould, and mildew that thrive in high humidity.
Can I leave the dehumidifier running at night? Yes, we recommend using a dehumidifier 24hrs, however, be aware that there will always be a noise generated from the machine when it is operating.
A dehumidifier typically needs between 24 and 72 hours to completely dry out a room. It's critical to continue using the dehumidifier until the humidity levels are normal.
A dehumidifier should collect a certain amount of water each day - generally, around 10-20 pints of water per 24-hour period. This should require you to empty most dehumidifiers daily or bi-daily when in operation.
Set the Right Humidity
To get your manually-controlled dehumidifier up and running, set its humidity level. You want it set at 30 – 50%. If there's too much moisture, you'll get dampness and mould. If there's too little moisture, your home will be too dry and attract bacteria.
Regardless, leave some space around your dehumidifier so that the vents are not obstructed, keeping the unit at least a foot away from walls and furniture. Close all windows and doors. Enclosing your space will help reduce humid air from entering your home, helping your dehumidifier work more efficiently.
We suggest that the ideal is 50% relative humidity (Rh). If it's above 60%, a dehumidifier is usually necessary. Try to avoid letting Rh drop to below 40% as this may make the air too dry, exacerbating respiratory symptoms.
Yes, a central air conditioning system is designed to remove humidity, but it can only do so much by itself. If you are dealing with high humidity levels in your living space, you may want to install a dehumidifier.
We do not recommend placing a dehumidifier directly against a wall or piece of furniture. Instead, put it at least six inches away from these vent-blocking surfaces. For dehumidifiers that cover large areas, it's a good idea to place them somewhere central such as a hallway or landing.
Do dehumidifiers create cool? A dehumidifier will not lower the temperature of your room, but it can make you feel cooler. *Because they don't affect actual room temperature, you shouldn't use a dehumidifier in place of a portable air conditioner—you simply won't get the same effect.
While damp cannot be reduced by opening windows, it can help to reduce the humidity levels in your property to make sure that condensation is not a common occurrence.
Remove Humidity to Prevent Window Condensation
If you experience high humidity without a humidifier, using a dehumidifier will also help reduce moisture in your home. Dehumidifiers come in many different models and sizes, so look for one that works for the space where you're finding the most condensation.