Last updated: 9/16/2023 and reviewed by our team of HVAC professionals
Do you know how and when to use a dehumidifier to get the best results in your home? Running a dehumidifier is an important step toward improving your home’s indoor air quality. If the air feels sticky or swampy, a dehumidifier will reduce moisture levels, so your home is more comfortable, and your HVAC system can run more efficiently and effectively.
Keep reading to learn when to use a dehumidifier and how to run it to maximize indoor air quality, enhance comfort and boost energy efficiency.
What’s the Difference Between a Humidifier and Dehumidifier?
While a humidifier adds moisture to the air to prevent dryness, a dehumidifier removes moisture. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), maintaining home humidity levels between 30% and 50% will help you achieve the healthiest, most comfortable environment, prevent mold and keep your home and belongings safe from damage caused by excessive humidity or dryness.
Depending on the climate in your area, you may need to use a humidifier or dehumidifier at different times of the year to support optimal indoor air quality.
When Is the Best Time to Use a Dehumidifier?
Any time your home feels humid is a good time to run a dehumidifier. Typically, the summer months bring higher levels of humidity that can lead to too much indoor air moisture, resulting in mildew, mold and bacteria growth.
If you notice any of these signs in your home, it’s time to consider running a dehumidifier:
- Sticky, swampy, or stuffy rooms
- Window condensation
- Musty odors
- Increase in mold or mildew
- Water marks on walls or ceilings
- Increase in pest problems
- Rotting or warping wood
- Exacerbation of allergy symptoms
The best time to use a dehumidifier is before the humidity begins to affect your household. When you walk in the house after being outside on a hot and sticky summer’s day, you want to be met by a blast of refreshing, cool air – not additional stickiness. Because humid air makes a room feel warmer, you may notice your air conditioner isn’t making your home feel as cool and comfortable as you prefer. Hot air retains more moisture than cold air, which is why using a dehumidifier at appropriate times of the year can help your HVAC to run more efficiently and make your home feel cooler, even at a higher thermostat setting.
How Often Should You Use a Dehumidifier?
Should you keep your dehumidifier running all summer long? Not necessarily. How often you should use a dehumidifier will depend on your home, climate and other factors. 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.
If you notice your home is still too humid, you may need to address the sources of moisture, such as plumbing problems or windows and doors that are not properly sealed. You can use a hygrometer, which measures humidity, to determine how much dehumidification your home needs to stay at the optimum level for indoor air quality.
Choose Aire Serv for Dehumidification and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Services
Don’t let summer’s humidity keep you from experiencing a comfortable home. Take charge of your indoor air quality by finding the right dehumidifier to meet your needs and learning how and when to use a dehumidifier most efficiently. Contact your local Aire Serv team for recommendations about when and how often you should use a dehumidifier in your home.
From indoor air quality testing to whole home dehumidification, our experts can help you keep humidity at bay so you can avoid a sticky situation this summer. Call us to speak with a member of our team or request an appointment online today!
