Avoid putting it in the bathroom, too. 'We don't advise using a dehumidifier in the bathroom because it isn't IP rated,' says Meaco's Chris. 'But positioning a dehumidifier as close to the bathroom as possible with the door open still can help to reduce moisture quickly.
However, it's important to know when to turn the unit off. Once temperatures drop to around 65 degrees, it's best to turn the dehumidifier off.
Dehumidifier Placement Guide
To ensure the humidity in the balanced, position it at least 12 inches from walls and other objects so air can circulate freely. Avoid placing the unit near window panes or any drafty area to prevent cold air from entering and affecting its performance.
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.
Dehumidifiers can't attract the moist air with the doors closed! Opening your doors slightly allows sufficient airflow so your dehumidifier can do its job. Easterly-facing walls get less sunlight, so they suffer most from condensation.
That should (again, depending on your unit) run all the humid air in your space through the system at least once. I usually tell people to run their dehumidifier for 10-12 hours a day, and of course, the more the better.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It's easy to forget this task since a whole-house dehumidifier runs automatically with no attention needed from you. However, turning off your dehumidifier for the winter helps you save money by preventing the equipment from running unnecessarily.
Electrical parts or connections have gone bad.
Dehumidifiers contain electrical components that can go bad, in addition to internal wiring that can short or come loose from connection terminals. Models made within the past decade or so might contain electronic control boards that can burn out and stop working.
Optimal Dehumidifier Humidity Setting
So, what is the best humidity setting for a dehumidifier? 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.
It's normal for the upper floors of a home to be hotter and more humid than the lower ones simply because hot air always rises up. When air heats up, it expands and becomes less dense.
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.
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.
Dehumidifier can lower humidity
Exposure to any mold and mildew in your home can cause health related issues. When you install a whole home dehumidifier, you can help get rid of the mold and mildew potential. You can also help reduce a musty odor in your home when you have a dehumidifier.
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.
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.
Depending on the size of the dehumidifier, some can cost as little as 8p an hour to run, according to Chris Michael, managing director of Meaco.
Using a heater and dehumidifier together provides the ideal balance. Because the heater is heating the air, your dehumidifier can work more effectively to remove moisture. If a heater is used on its own, the air temperature is elevated to try and diminish moisture.