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.
How do you know when to stop using a dehumidifier?
Once temperatures drop to around 65 degrees, it's best to turn the dehumidifier off. Doing so will help prevent moisture from freezing on the dehumidifier's coils, which could damage your unit.
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.
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 good idea to run your device. In fact, if your humidity levels remain above 50 percent, your room will benefit from a basement dehumidifier.
For most families, dry winter weather requires more humidity, not less humidity, to maintain higher comfort. 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.
How to reduce HUMIDITY and get rid of MOLD on or OFF GRID ~ works after HURRICANES
When should I turn off my basement dehumidifier in winter?
Relative Humidity Levels
Always remember to frequently monitor your dehumidifier during the winter period. In the case of dangerously low temperatures, or if humidity falls below 30 percent, make sure you turn off your device.
Some molds release mycotoxins into the air, which can cause allergies or neurological harm. Typically, affected areas include walls, window frames, and insulation. A humidity level above 55% can activate mold growth, although the ideal moisture level will be 70% or more.
What should I set my dehumidifier in my basement in the winter?
Basement Humidity in the Winter
During the winter months, you'll want to keep your in-home humidity levels around 25 – 40 percent when outdoor temps range from 20° F to 0° F, with the lower percentages reserved for the colder temps.
What is the best way to use a dehumidifier in the winter?
During winter be careful of having your settings too high or excess use (you could damage your dehumidifier) Clear your filters every 6 months and regularly empty your water tray to keep your dehumidifier working properly.
But we can give you a range: between 30-40%. It's really important to adjust this number so you don't get condensation on your windows…or you could damage your home and be in for some very expensive repairs.
Do I Need A Dehumidifier All Year In My Main Line Home? Most homes on the Main Line only need a dehumidifier in the spring and summer. That's the time of year when it starts getting muggy and sticky. But, if you have a damp or musty basement, a year-round solution helps keep you healthy and comfortable.
Can you dehumidify too much? 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. Over-dehumidifying your home can lead to an increased chance of respiratory illnesses and dry and cracked skin.
Although the energy consumption for small and medium-sized dehumidifiers is relatively low, long-term usage (especially older, less energy-efficient models) can add up to be quite a substantial amount. This is compounded by the fact that most dehumidifiers run 12 to 24 hours daily.
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.
A dehumidifier can be just a beneficial to use during the winter as the summer. While the air can commonly be dryer and less humid during the winter, a dehumidifier can still help with issues such as condensation on windows and mold growth.
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.
However, turning off your dehumidifier for the winter helps you save money by preventing the equipment from running unnecessarily. After all, your home stays more comfortable in the winter if the relative humidity is a bit higher.
If you want your home to remain as comfortable as possible during the summer months, you should consider using a dehumidifier to reduce the amount of moisture in the air. Using a dehumidifier during the summer also improves the air quality inside your home and can eliminate potential allergens like mold and mildew.
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 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.
Does dehumidifier need to run all the time in basement?
Just remember, you do not need to run your dehumidifier all the time — in fact, it is not environmentally friendly or cost-effective to do so. You'll only need to operate it during periods of high humidity. With this in mind, you may not need to install a permanent piece of equipment.
A relative humidity level of 70 percent or higher creates the perfect breeding ground for mold growth. Leaving basement mold unchecked could amount to unhealthy indoor air, causing sickness to your family and aggravated upper respiratory issues. Also, home-destroying mold could also cause costly foundation damage.
What temperature should I keep my house to prevent mold?
Keep the thermostat at 78 degrees or above. A higher thermostat setting and slightly warmer air temperature results in drier indoor air. In the cooling mode, temperatures lower than 78 degrees generate more humid air and cool indoor surfaces, increasing condensation that breeds mold.
If the mold test comes back negative, but you've got odor or allergy problems, skip ahead to the allergen-control section. To kill mold, you need to get the humidity below 50%, and around 35% is optimal.
Keeping your humidity level between 30%-60% helps manage the prevention of mold growth. But active mold requires remediation to end the problem and ensure it will not begin to grow again. Mold can develop on wet or moist organic materials in your home within 24 to 48 hours of the moisture exposure.