Knowledge Builders

is it necessary to run a dehumidifier in the winter

by Connie Terry DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

During cold winter months, the air in your home is usually dry, which means a dehumidifier is not necessary. In fact, dehumidifiers actually work most efficiently in warm temperatures and decrease in efficiency as the temperature cools.Sep 28, 2016

What should my dehumidifier be set at in the winter?

What should I set my dehumidifier to in the winter? Reduce use in winter as humidity will drop with cold or when heat is in use. Set to 60% or below. 45-50% are good settings to use. Set to 30-60% for desired comfort range. Will a dehumidifier make my room warmer?

Should you underinflate tires in winter?

One winter driving trick that some people swear by is underinflating their tires. To understand why some people think underinflating tires in winter is a good idea, you need to know what's happening when your car goes into a skid (besides everyone in the car freaking out).

Should you use a self-tanner during winter?

Whether it's summertime and you have a tropical vacation planned or it's smack dab in the middle of winter, self-tanner can help you achieve that bronzed color no matter what time of year it is. Of course, applying self-tanner is easier said than done.

Should I run a dehumidifier all year?

Steps

  1. Close all doors and windows in the location where you run your dehumidifier. ...
  2. Place the dehumidifier in an area where air can circulate efficiently through the appliance. ...
  3. Run your dehumidifier only when humidity levels are higher than 50 percent. ...
  4. Replace the filter on your dehumidifier or clean it at least once per year. ...

More items...

image

When should you turn off your dehumidifier?

Knowing the proper humidity levels is key. When the relative humidity (RH) drops below the 30%–50% range, you should immediately switch off the dehumidifier. The ideal relative humidity for comfort and well-being is 45%. Humidity helps maintain comfort and indoor air quality.

What should I set my dehumidifier to in the winter?

While 30-40% is a good baseline for humidity levels in winter, you'll have to go through a period of adjusting temperatures and your humidifier to find your perfect setting. But once you do, there's no better feeling!

Should you run a dehumidifier in the basement in the winter?

Be careful if you live in cold weather climates. Since the purpose of a dehumidifier is to attract moisture, the coils could freeze if the weather gets too cold. However, in rooms that are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, such as a heated basement, then a dehumidifier would work just fine.

Should you use a humidifier or dehumidifier in winter?

Generally, people use humidifiers in the wintertime to combat the dryness of winter air. A dehumidifier takes moisture out of the air when it is too humid. Dehumidifiers are used during the spring and summer.

Do dehumidifiers use a lot of electricity?

Dehumidifier energy use is rather low. An average small 30-pint dehumidifier uses 300W of energy. An average big 70-pint dehumidifier uses 700W of energy. Essentially, a dehumidifier draws much less electricity than a water heater, an air conditioner, and even a hair drier.

Should you leave a dehumidifier on all the time?

It all depends on the humidity reading registered on your hygrometer, if the relative humidity is too high then you can run the dehumidifier continuously until the RH level becomes comfortable or is below the 60 percent mark. If you want to get rid of excess humidity, then try testing it for a week.

How do I know if I need a dehumidifier?

6 Telltale Signs You Need a DehumidifierWindow and door condensation. Take a look at your glass windows—do they look like mirrors? ... Mold spots on ceilings and wall corners. ... Musty odor. ... Recurring water runoff dampness in springtime. ... Blistering paint or peeling wallpaper. ... Creaky doors, cabinets, windows or floors.

What months should you use a dehumidifier?

Any time your home feels humid is a good time to run a dehumidifier. Typically, the summer months bring higher levels of humidity that can lead to too much indoor air moisture, resulting in mildew, mold and bacteria growth.

What are the cons of a dehumidifier?

Dehumidifier ConsDehumidifiers can be loud and sometimes warm—in the summer, this could be annoying.Dehumidifiers are work—you must dump, clean, and refill the water-collection tank and also (some models) clean the air filter regularly. ... Constantly running a dehumidifier will increase your energy bill.More items...•

Should I turn off my dehumidifier in the winter?

During cold winter months, the air in your home is usually dry, which means a dehumidifier is not necessary. In fact, dehumidifiers actually work most efficiently in warm temperatures and decrease in efficiency as the temperature cools.

How do I know if my house is dry or humid?

First try a hygrometer, which is like a thermometer, except it measures moisture levels rather than temperature. Your home should sit somewhere between 30 and 50 percent humidity. If it's measuring below 30 percent, you may need to invest in a humidifier to remedy the dry air symptoms.

Will a dehumidifier make my house feel warmer?

Even if you're in a small room with a powerful dehumidifier that runs often, the air in your room will only increase a few degrees F. The room likely won't even feel warmer with a dehumidifier. That's because the dehumidifier is removing excess moisture, so you'll feel more comfortable than without the dehumidifier.

What temperature should a dehumidifier be set at?

between 70 and 90 degrees F.Ideal Dehumidifier Operating Temperatures. The ideal operating temperature for refrigerant dehumidifiers is between 70 and 90 degrees F.

What should my dehumidifier be set at?

between 30 and 50 percentSet the humidity level. The optimal relative humidity level is between 30 and 50 percent, according to Energy Star (and 30 to 40 percent in colder areas during heating season). If the humidity is higher than that, it can breed dust mites, mildew, and mold, and trigger allergies.

What is the ideal humidity in a home?

between 30-50% humidityThe ideal relative humidity for health and comfort is somewhere between 30-50% humidity, according to the Mayo Clinic. This means that the air holds between 30-50% of the maximum amount of moisture it can contain.

How do I keep my dehumidifier from freezing?

Easy way to prevent a dehumidifier from freezing up is by warming to the room a dehumidifier is in. Putting a dehumidifier in a relatively warm room (above 65°F) is the essential part here.

Why is it important to maintain a dehumidifier?

Maintenance of dehumidifiers, like with any electrical appliance, is important for longevity.

What temperature should a dehumidifier be?

Be mindful of the temperature, too, as dehumidifiers shouldn’t ideally be running below 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees C).

Why is a dehumidifier better than a refrigerant dehumidifier?

Desiccant dehumidifiers can be more useful compared to refrigerant dehumidifiers because there are no coils that can freeze up.

What is a dehumidifier?

Dehumidifiers are useful appliances that reduce the amount of moisture in the air , which in turn can help provide a more comfortable living environment, reduce allergens, and prevent mold from growing.

Why is it important to clean and replace a dehumidifier filter?

Cleaning and replacing the filters on a dehumidifier is important. Their cleanliness is also essential to the quality of the air.

Can dehumidifiers make you sick?

Dehumidifiers can also make diseases like pneumonia or the common cold worse. If you suffer from either condition, it may be helpful to stop running your dehumidifier until you feeling better.

Can a dehumidifier be used in a laundry room?

Dehumidifiers can also be useful in certain spaces in your home. For example, using a dehumidifier in your laundry room can speed up the drying process and allow smaller rooms to heat up faster, which can be helpful in cooler months.

What factors determine if a dehumidifier is good for winter?

Whether a dehumidifier operating in winter is suitable for your situation will depend on two main factors: the temperature and humidity in your area or home.

How to determine humidity level in a room?

To determine the relative humidity level, you can set up a wall humidity regulator to measure the relative humidity of the room. Be sure to pay attention to the fluctuation of the humidity level and turn off the dehumidifier when the humidity drops. You can also set your dehumidifier to maintain an automatic threshold humidity level (should be around 30%). But if the humidity in the room has never reached 50%, likely, you do not need a dehumidifier in winter.

Why do people turn on the stove in winter?

In winter, to keep warm from the cold, people will quickly turn on the stove at home or use the heating at home to make the home warmer and more comfortable. The electricity bill for heating alone accounts for about 45% of the total electricity bill and the extra cost is often accompanied by a large amount of dry air.

Do you need a dehumidifier in winter?

Generally speaking, if your humidity stays above 50% most of the time, it is a good idea to use a dehumidifier in winter.

Can I run a dehumidifier in my basement?

But if you live in an area that is both cold and humid, you may benefit from running a dehumidifier in your basement or other humid areas of your home. If you need to buy a dehumidifier in the winter, you can consult Alorair professionals, I believe you will get the dehumidifier you want!

What Months Should You Use A Dehumidifier?

Whether it is summer or winter, dehumidifiers can operate to lower humidity levels in your house.

How long can you run a dehumidifier?

Higher humidity levels put you at a health risk, but the same case applies when humidity levels are too low. You can safely run your dehumidifier for 12 hours a day.

Why is a dehumidifier important?

Dehumidifiers are also important in keeping the humidity at constant levels. It is good for your health because it prevents the spread of germs from one point to another.

What temperature can a dehumidifier operate?

Therefore, many dehumidifiers cannot operate below 65 0 F, while a few will work below that.

What temperature should a refrigerant be?

The majority of them will perform best at temperatures above 60 0 F.

What happens to the outside of a house in winter?

During winter, the outside air is dry, and very little moisture is within your house.

Can dehumidifiers be used in summer?

During summer, the high temperature and high humidity levels can destruct the comfort of your house. Well, the use of dehumidifiers is the ideal option in keeping your house comfortable again.

How cold does a dehumidifier work?

Some dehumidifiers are specially designed to work in much colder temperatures, as low as 42 degrees, but extremely cold temperatures tend to result in lower humidity anyway, thus negating your need for a dehumidifier. Advertisement.

What temperature should a dehumidifier be?

For a dehumidifier to do you any good, the temperature in your basement should ideally remain above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to check humidity in basement?

To monitor the relative humidity in your basement, hang a humidistat (sometimes called a hygrometer) on the wall. It works like a thermometer, constantly measuring the relative humidity in the room. Some dehumidifiers contain a built-in humidistat.

How to keep basement from getting too cold?

If the basement maintains high relative humidity levels in the winter but is too cold to safely run a dehumidifier, use an electric heater for at least a couple of hours each day. It will not kill humidity as effectively as a dehumidifier, but it will eliminate some of the water vapor while also reducing the temperature in the room.

How to keep dehumidifier from freezing?

1. Monitor Your Dehumidifier Regularly. Always keep an eye on your device whenever you decide to run it. If the temperature or humidity drops below the ideal level, you will want to turn the dehumidifier off. You never want the coils or water to freeze because it can cause lasting damage to the device.

How long can you leave a dehumidifier on?

Electric dehumidifiers can be left for a long time before their tray is full of water. As long as you come back to check on them every day or every other day, it’s usually fine. On the contrary, small electric dehumidifiers will eventually burn out from 24/7 use– typically after six months or more.

What is the humidity threshold for a phone?

Don’t have time to constantly monitor your device? Set an automatic humidity threshold! For starters, we recommend an automatic threshold of 30 percent humidity.

Can mold grow in basements in winter?

Luckily for you, there’s a simple solution: use a basement dehumidifier in winter.

Can you use Eva Dry dehumidifiers to dry out desiccant?

As for Eva Dry’s desiccant dehumidifiers, these devices are actually renewable. Once the beads are too wet to use, you can plug them in to dry out the desiccants inside. Then, unplug the dehumidifier and put it back where it was before.

Can a dehumidifier freeze coils?

Since the purpose of a dehumidifier is to attract moisture, the coils could free ze if the weather gets too cold. However, in rooms that are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, such as a heated basement, then a dehumidifier would work just fine. Just pay attention if the temperatures start to drop, especially at night.

Can you use a dehumidifier for more than 8 hours?

On the bright side, this isn’t normally the case– it only tends to happen when you use the dehumidifier for more than eight (8) hours results with a relative humidity of less than 15%. Although it isn’t dangerous to stay in a room with extremely low relative humidity, it can irritate your throat and dry out your sinuses.

What is a dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier is an electrical appliance that is used to remove excess moisture from the air to make the environment comfortable and pleasant. You might have thought multiple times that should I use a dehumidifier in winter, so running a dehumidifier in winter depends on the indoor relative humidity level and room temperature at any place. So these two variables are needed to be taken into account to make the right decision regarding the use of a dehumidifier in winter. The following checklist will help you to make the decision.

What is the recommended humidity level for a room?

You should remember that the safe levels of relative humidity range from 30% to 55%. although relative humidity level is mostly not so high in winter due to natural condensation, still there may be certain exceptional cases when you might need to use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture present in the air. A hygrometer can be used to check the relative humidity level in the air. Also, the condensation on your room windows is sometimes a good indicator of the presence of excess moisture in the air inside your room. If you find the relative humidity level being above 55% you should turn on the dehumidifier to prevent allergens from growing there. But you should also not allow relative humidity level to fall below 30% as it provides suitable conditions for the growth of various harmful microbes.

Can you run a dehumidifier in a room with too low temperature?

You should not run your dehumidifier in a room where the temperature is too low. At very low temperatures, the moisture removed from the surrounding air will freeze after it gets condensed on the coils. So your unit will stop working, and it can be damaged in this way. Most dehumidifiers work best at 600 F and above temperatures, Although some models are also capable of working normally at 40o F. If you want to dehumidify the air you should make sure that you should turn on the heaters to keep the temperature above 40o F.

Can you use a dehumidifier in winter?

People generally ask that, is a dehumidifier for winter or summer? but from the above discussion, we can conclude that although dehumidifiers are mostly used in summer, in certain cases you might need to use your dehumidifier in winter. You should keep the temperature and the humidity level into consideration before deciding to use your dehumidifier in your place.

Why is it important to keep a dehumidifier on in the winter?

In the winter months, your benefits can include a decrease in your heating costs, while benefits in the summer months include decreasing harmful high humidity and keeping your home much more comfortable. In the spring and fall months, operating your dehumidifier can be a bit more challenging because the weather won’t be cold or hot, but warm or cool instead. This simply means you’ll have to continuously check the humidity level to make sure it doesn’t get too low or too high.

Why do you need a dehumidifier in summer?

During the summer months, a good dehumidifier helps you stay more comfortable in your home and will even allow you to sleep better at night. If your skin becomes dry because the humidity has gotten too low, all you have to do is turn the dehumidifier off for a few hours at a time before turning it back on once the humidity level gets high again.

Why do you need to keep an eye on a dehumidifier?

Because the humidity level can fluctuate from season to season, you’ll want to keep an eye on your dehumidifier and take notice of any problem areas, including allergic reactions, upper-respiratory problems, mold or mildew on your clothes or bedding, and any other ailment you consider directly related to the humidity level in your home.

How much moisture does a dehumidifier remove?

You should also make sure you get a dehumidifier that can accommodate the space you needtaken care of. If you have a small home , you’ll likely need a dehumidifier that removes around 30 pints of moisture per day, whereas a bigger basement or home may require one that removes 70 pints of moisture per day. The packaging will tell you how big an area the dehumidifier can accommodate, so it’s best to start there when trying to find the perfect dehumidifier.

Why do you need to check humidity on a dehumidifier?

If you’re going to run your dehumidifier all year long, it is a good idea to check the humidity level on your dehumidifier continuously because you may need to change it at certain times during the day. This is especially important during the cold winter months, because running a dehumidifier 24/7 during the warmer months doesn’t cause nearly as many concerns.

What happens if humidity is too high?

When humidity is too high, you can experience allergies, asthma problems, and even many upper-respiratory illnesses.

Can you run a heater with a dehumidifier?

When it’s winter time, running a heater with your dehumidifier for a few hours a day can result in a home that is much warmer and a big reduction in the amount of mold and mildew growing, providing you with great peace of mind every time.

image

1.Do You Need A Dehumidifier In the Winter? Will It Help?

Url:https://homeairquality.org/do-you-need-a-dehumidifier-in-the-winter/

26 hours ago  · If the relative humidity is high, you may need to run your dehumidifier, even if it’s the winter season. Overall, if your home or room’s relative humidity is higher than 55%, you can run your dehumidifier to remove the excess moisture. Aside from a dehumidifier, I also …

2.Should You Run A Dehumidifier In The Winter? – The …

Url:https://thehumidistat.com/should-you-run-dehumidifier-in-winter/

7 hours ago Dehumidifiers can also help prevent mold and eliminate odor. If you live in a warm climate, it may still be necessary to use one during the winter to prevent and reduce unwanted allergens, …

3.Videos of Is It Necessary To Run A Dehumidifier In The Winter

Url:/videos/search?q=is+it+necessary+to+run+a+dehumidifier+in+the+winter&qpvt=is+it+necessary+to+run+a+dehumidifier+in+the+winter&FORM=VDRE

24 hours ago Dehumidifiers are useful for keeping rooms dry, but they need to be used wisely during winter. When the humidity level falls below 30 percent, you can set your dehumidifier to turn off …

4.Should I Use a Dehumidifier in Winter? - ALORAIR

Url:https://www.alorair.com/blog/should-i-use-a-dehumidifier-in-winter/

19 hours ago  · Most of us don’t need to run a dehumidifier in the winter since the air is dry and cold. However, using it is necessary for those who live in humid areas. This is just a simple …

5.Do Dehumidifiers Work In The Winter? (Explained!)

Url:https://freshairdevices.com/do-dehumidifiers-work-in-the-winter/

26 hours ago  · Just because you live in a warm climate does not necessarily mean that you will use a dehumidifier, and your climate conditions also require relatively high humidity. Generally …

6.Should I Run a Dehumidifier in the Winter in a Basement?

Url:https://www.hunker.com/13416313/should-i-run-a-dehumidifier-in-the-winter-in-a-basement

26 hours ago  · The humidity levels during winter are usually low, which means you do not need a dehumidifier running. The most appropriate home humidity ranges between 30-50 0 F. …

7.Dehumidifier For Basement in Winter | Is it a Good Idea?

Url:https://www.eva-dry.com/should-i-run-a-dehumidifier-in-the-basement-during-the-winter-months/

24 hours ago You should only run a dehumidifier in your basement in the wintertime if the room maintains a high relative humidity. To monitor the relative humidity in your basement, hang a humidistat …

8.Should You Use Dehumidifier In Winter? – Best …

Url:https://mydehumidifiers.com/should-you-use-dehumidifier-in-winter/

3 hours ago  · As you debate whether or not to use a dehumidifier in winter, you should always watch the humidity levels in your home. If your relative humidity levels stay high, it might be a …

9.When to Use a Dehumidifier: Winter or Summer?

Url:https://dehumidifiercritic.com/when-to-use-a-dehumidifier-winter-or-summer/

35 hours ago  · A dehumidifier is an electrical appliance that is used to remove excess moisture from the air to make the environment comfortable and pleasant. You might have thought …

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9