A comfortable basement should maintain a humidity level of 30 to 50 percent — however, those may differ depending on your climate.
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.
Dehumidifiers have onboard humidistats that automatically maintain the humidity level you set. We suggest keeping your humidity level at 45-50%. You can adjust it slightly based on your comfort level, but keep in mind this is an ideal humidity level for healthy indoor air quality.
You will only need to run your basement dehumidifier system when the humidity levels exceed safe and comfortable levels, so you probably won't need to run it all the time.
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.
On average, a home dehumidifier collects five gallons of water per day. 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.
Over-dehumidifying your home can lead to an increased chance of respiratory illnesses and dry and cracked skin.
The simple answer to whether they use a lot of electricity is yes. Even though the wattage or energy consumption of many models is low (The average being 483 watts), they stay on for at least 12 hours a day and in most cases, 24 hours, which is why the costs can increase, particularly for less efficient models.
6. How long will it take to get the moisture under control? As long as the dehumidifier you choose is large enough for the area it is working in, and there are no specific damp problems, then a dehumidifier will normally reduce the humidity to the chosen level within a few days to a week.
Normal Basement Humidity Levels
When your basement is too humid, you'll probably be able to feel it. A comfortable basement should maintain a humidity level of 30 to 50 percent — however, those may differ depending on your climate.
Is 60 Percent Humidity Too High for a Basement? Yes, 60% humidity is too high for basements. Generally, a safe humidity level is between 30-50%, but that can vary a bit depending on where you live and the conditions of your environment.
Optimal Dehumidifier Humidity Setting
To prevent mold growth and keep your home's relative humidity at a comfortable level, we recommend aiming for 30%-50% humidity in your home.
So what is the best humidity setting for a dehumidifier? According to Energy Star, the optimal level of relative humidity in your home should be between 30% and 50%. Anything below this range may cause extreme dryness in your home and levels above may promote bacteria growth.
The basement humidity level should vary between 30% in winter and 50% in summer. 25% is too low and can cause skin conditions and peeling paint. Over 60% is considered too high and can lead to breathing problems, mildew, and fungal growth.
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.
The EPA recommends keeping humidity levels between 30 and 50%. If, however, you read humidity levels above 60%, you should purchase a basement dehumidifier.
Install a Dehumidifier
A solid unit with a capacity capable of handling most average-sized home basements costs less than $200, and sometimes this can be enough to solve dampness on its own, making it a very cost-effective way to protect a basement from moisture damage.
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.
They can be important tool to help reduce humidity in your house, prevent moisture-related problems and improve your air quality. Similar to how a humidifier helps to add moisture, a dehumidifier can be especially useful in the basement, crawl space or bathroom–areas of your home that tend to have excessive moisture.
Almost all modern dehumidifiers have built-in humidity sensors and a relative humidity setting. If you set it to 50% RH or even 40% RH, a dehumidifier will never dehumidify too much. In short, every dehumidifier should run constantly until it reaches 50% relative humidity levels or lower.
A dehumidifier makes the external conditions less welcoming to mold; by removing moisture, they reduce the chances of mold growth. An air purifier, however, removes mold spores from the air, making it harder for mold and mildew to create new colonies. HEPA filters are one of the most important tools for removing mold.
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.
Check to make sure that all windows and doors are closed. Make sure the unit has proper air flow and that no curtains, blinds, or furniture is blocking the front or back of the dehumidifier. If used in a laundry area, install the dehumidifier away from the moisture laden air generated by the dryer.
While in the vast majority of cases it can be fine to leave a dehumidifier running while unattended, there can still be the potential for problems to occur. Leaving your dehumidifier running while you're away from home could lead to more significant problems than those posed by the presence of excess humidity.