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should i run a dehumidifier in my rv

by Trent Kihn Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Even if your rig is in storage, you will still need to manage the humidity inside of the rig. Dry air inside an RV is ideal. Wet air inside an RV is a problem waiting to manifest itself in mold, decay, and destruction. The most efficient method to reduce water in the air is to use an RV dehumidifier.Dec 2, 2020

Full Answer

Should you use a dehumidifier in a RV?

You should use a dehumidifier in a motorhome. A dehumidifier should be used both when travelling and storing the motorhome. It should also be used year-round, in both the warmer and the colder months. A dehumidifier helps to control the humidity in your motorhome and extracts moisture from the air.

Should you leave a dehumidifier on all the time?

If you run a dehumidifier all the time, you might actually make the room too dry. 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%.

What does a dehumidifier do for an RV?

When ventilation isn't an option, RV dehumidifiers can help make up the difference. They are designed to draw in moisture from the air, preventing it from collecting. Using up electricity with a dehumidifier doesn't have to be a worry with non-electric units.

What should I set my dehumidifier in my camper?

A good rule of thumb is to try and maintain a humidity level of somewhere between 30 and 50 percent. If you have a weather station in your rig you'll have a precise reading of where your levels are at.

What happens if you dehumidify too much?

It is unfortunately a common occurrence that a dehumidifier ends up drying out the air in a home so much that it creates a new set of problems, such as the easy spread of illnesses, cracked, dry skin, and problems with static electricity.

When should you not use a dehumidifier?

Most dehumidifiers should not be operated in temperatures under 60° F because of the potential for moisture removed from the air to freeze on the coils, which can damage the unit.

Do dehumidifiers waste 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.

What humidity should I keep my RV at?

People, in general, are most comfortable between 35 to 55% humidity. This is also the range that prevents mold from being able to grow. Sabrina and I do our best to keep the humidity in our RV below 50% and we use temperature and humidity monitors throughout our RV to be sure we are staying close to this goal.

What is the best way to dehumidify an RV?

Get a Dehumidifier A small dehumidifier can be used to pull moisture out of the air and reduce condensation. This easy solution usually prevents all the problems associated with moisture damage. Just be sure to empty the dehumidifier's moisture tank frequently. Most have a light that turns on when the tank is full.

Is it better to run a dehumidifier during the day or night?

To achieve the highest energy efficiency, run a dehumidifier for at least 12 hours a day. This will allow you to remove moisture from the air without racking up the energy costs.

How often should I dehumidify?

So to recap, run your dehumidifier unit for at least 12 hours a day. This is a good rule of thumb. Again, it's okay if you don't stick to this schedule every day, but be aware that the more your family runs your dehumidifier unit the fresher and cleaner it will be all year long.

How do I prevent mold and mildew in my RV?

Buy a Dehumidifier. Buying a high quality humidifier is important to prevent mold growth on many levels. ... Use Moisture-Removing Crystals or Chemical Packets. ... Wipe Down All Surfaces. ... Open Up Your Cabinets and Closet Doors. ... Remove as Much Fabric as Possible. ... Ensure all Pipes are Bone-Dry. ... Use a Fan for Airflow. ... Run a Heater.More items...•

How many hours should you leave a dehumidifier running?

To achieve the highest energy efficiency, run a dehumidifier for at least 12 hours a day. This will allow you to remove moisture from the air without racking up the energy costs.

How long can you leave a dehumidifier running?

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.

Can a dehumidifier run 24 hours a day?

You can run your dehumidifier for 24 hours daily, but this will strain the internal components. As a result, the lifespan of the dehumidifier will be shortened, and you'll need to purchase a new one. Running the dehumidifier 24/7 will also raise your electricity bills tremendously.

Should I turn off my dehumidifier at night?

Then set the unit to switch off after the room has reached a certain humidity level. Keep your windows and doors shut while you sleep. This way the dehumidifier will not need to work so hard to keep the humidity levels optimal. This will reduce its runtime.

What is a Good Humidity Level for an RV?

A humidity level between 30 to 50% is what you should aim for. Typically, the drier the better to make the living environment more comfortable.

Can You Run a Dehumidifier Too Much?

It’s possible to have a full time RV dehumidifier that’s designed for people living in their RV as their primary residence.

How many fluid ounces are lost by perspiration?

It may surprise you to learn that over twenty fluid ounces are lost by an individual both by breathing and natural perspiration in normal temperatures and average humidity levels. With greater activity levels, higher humidity, or hotter weather, that only increases. Also, if you’re traveling or living full-time with a partner in ...

What is a mini dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier for campers or trailers typically is a smaller unit with lesser capacities. This is because they usually do not need to be run 24/7 and the square feet to cover is less than with a motorhome. For a camper or trailer, a mini dehumidifier makes a lot of sense.

Can a dehumidifier be used as a dehumidifier?

Yes, it’s possible to do so safely. A dehumidifier can be a disposable product that contains a desiccant. Interior non-electric desiccant dehumidifiers can be purchased, placed in different positions, and then soak up the moisture.

Does wiping down windows help?

While wiping down the windows does help, it doesn’t prevent moisture from getting into material covers, foam, mattress, floor rugs, the walls, flooring, ceiling, etc. Only by using a dehumidifier solution is it possible to reduce the humidity levels to safer levels.

Does moisture damage a motorhome?

It can destroy your mattress, sofa, decorating materials, walls, flooring, sub-floor level, and more. Humidity isn’t just a matter of where the motorhome is located either.

What is the best RV dehumidifier?

There are many different types of RV dehumidifiers, from dry pellets that are used inside a special housing, called Dri-Z-Air or DampRid which are manufactured and sold for the RV industry, to dozens of electric dehumidifiers. Other options include the Air-Dryr and the Eva Dry, as reviewed in the video below by Youtuber Forrest Stevens.

What problems are caused by humidity?

How important can this be you may ask? If you only take your rig out on the weekends and it’s in storage the rest of the time, is managing humidity in your RV really that important? Yes!

How to control humidity in RV?

How do you control humidity in an RV? There are many ways to control humidity. Even if your rig is in storage, you will still need to manage the humidity inside of the rig. Dry air inside an RV is ideal. Wet air inside an RV is a problem waiting to manifest itself in mold, decay, and destruction. The most efficient method to reduce water in ...

How efficient is the third RV dehumidifier?

The third RV dehumidifier (pictured at the top of this article) is actually very efficient. It is relatively compact and compared to the first one, it is also relatively quiet. It will extract quarts of water in an eight-hour period and it can be easily repositioned from one end of the RV to the other.

Why did the West Coast coach dry out?

Once we got back on the West Coast, the coach began to dry out, but only because the humidity outside was low and we were able to open the windows for ventilation.

How much water does an RV lose?

Through a process called “insensible water loss” the average person loses about 23 fluid ounces of water through their skin and breath daily. If there are two people and two dogs inside an RV for 24 hours, there will be approximately 60 fluid ounces of extra water in the air just from them.

Is a second dehumidifier a countertop?

The second dehumidifier was actually two separate countertop-style appliances. Those were very small, quiet, and completely useless in terms of the volume of air from which water needed to be extracted. These small countertop units might have been fine in a closet or small bathroom but in our 33-foot Class A motorhome, they were no match for the build-up of moisture.

What Causes Humidity in the RV?

In simple words, humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air. High humidity means more water content in the air around you, while low humidity indicates lesser moisture.

Why Do You Need to Control Humidity?

When you’re in an RV, high humidity can be a much bigger concern to your health than in the outdoors. For instance, microorganisms and dust mites love a humid environment.

How to reduce humidity in RV?

Another efficient way to reduce humidity in the RV is by cooking outside or using alternate cooking methods. I don’t remember ever boiling water for my tea in the RV. Instead, I make iced tea from concentrate, eliminating the need for boiling water while having the same taste.

Is Florida humid?

One of the biggest contributors to humidity is the location. If you’re traveling in a place like Florida, the weather is bound to be humid. However, if you’re further up North, the air will be drier, thus, less humid.

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