Putting it too close to the wall
'For the best results, the dehumidifier should always be placed at least 20 centimetres away from every wall,' says Chloe King, Duux brand manager. 'In addition, we advise to place the device away from drafts from doors, windows, and air vents for optimal efficiency. '
Where to Place Dehumidifier in Your House. You want to place your machine in an area where there is good air circulation so the unit can efficiently work. 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.
Make sure that the windows and doors are closed while the dehumidifier is operating. If you are operating the dehumidifier in a particularly large space, it should be placed in close proximity to the moisture source to maximise the potential of the unit.
The water is drained by gravity alone so for effective continuous drainage the dehumidifier needs to be raised a foot or two above the floor and the hose run to a floor level drain.
Enclosing your space will help reduce humid air from entering your home, helping your dehumidifier work more efficiently. Empty the tank regularly. All of the dehumidifiers in CR's tests have an indicator that lights up when the tank is full, and the unit shuts off automatically.
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 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.
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.
The dry, filtered air is then pushed through the HVAC system for conditioning and then into the rooms of your home. Should you keep your dehumidifier running all the time? In order to achieve the ideal indoor relative humidity levels of 35 to 50 percent, it is recommended that you run a dehumidifier for 12 hours a day.
A dehumidifier should collect around 10-20 pints a day. However, factors such as relative humidity levels, size of the appliance, location, and temperature can affect how much it collects.
The size of the room, the humidity level, and the extent of the water damage are some of the variables that affect how long a dehumidifier takes to dry out a room. A dehumidifier typically needs between 24 and 72 hours to completely dry out a room.
If your dehumidifier's water basin is filling up too quickly, you probably have extra water in the air due to an issue like a cracked pipe, water leak or open crawl space. If you're hardly getting any water in the basin, you may need to simply turn the control to a drier setting.
Over-dehumidifying your home can lead to an increased chance of respiratory illnesses and dry and cracked skin.
Sleeping with a Dehumidifier: A Perfectly Safe Option
Rest assured, a dehumidifier simply circulates the air in the room, making it a safe appliance to use when you're sleeping. Plus, it can prevent mould and mildew from causing breathing problems while you sleep, which is a big health benefit.
Dehumidifiers work by removing moisture from the air. This can help to reduce condensation on walls and prevent mould and mildew growth. However, dehumidifiers will not necessarily dry out damp walls. If your walls are damp, you may need to use a combination of a dehumidifier and a fan to help dry them out.
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.
Conclusion. Although dehumidifiers don't necessarily use a lot of electricity and, in fact, are energy efficient (even more so if they have the ENERGY STAR certification), they will typically need to run for at least 12 hours a day but preferably 24.
Mold stays “dormant” in the air or on surfaces even when there's no excess moisture to help it grow. If the humidity in a room increases, mold will start growing in patches on walls, clothes, and more. So, to answer your question, dehumidifiers do NOT kill mold, but they do prevent it by reducing humidity.
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.
When a dehumidifier fills up quickly, you may have excess humidity in your home or an issue with the dehumidifier itself. Conversely, a consistently empty dehumidifier is also a sign of system malfunction. If either of these issues persists, repair services or other humidity control options may be needed.
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.
Ideal Dehumidifier Operating Temperatures. The ideal operating temperature for standard refrigerant dehumidifiers is between about 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and between 60% - 80% relative humidity.
According to most experts, indoor humidity during summers should be around 40-50%. It is recommended not to let the moisture level go beyond 45%, as dust mites thrive in a damp environment. The exact level of moisture in the air is heavily affected by the outdoor temperature.
The ideal relative humidity level in a home is between 30 and 50 percent. However, in the hotter summer months (and if you live in a more humid climate) you will want to aim for the 50 percent range to maintain a manageable energy bill.