Knowing when to use your dehumidifier is very important. A dehumidifier reduces moisture in your home. So when you feel uncomfortable and sticky, allergies flaring up, it’s time to plug in your dehumidifier. Also, when you begin to notice condensation on the window or mold growing, you have a moisture problem. It will be time to use a dehumidifier.
What Is Relative Humidity?
Simply said, relative humidity (RH) is a measurement of the amount of water vapor in the air. It’s the amount of water vapor in the air represented as a percentage (percent RH) of the amount required to reach saturation at the same temperature.
High Humidity
As mentioned above, you measure relative humidity in percentage. Anything above 50% is too much moisture in the air. Excessive moisture and high humidity levels can create discomfort and health problems, as well as wreak havoc on a property.
Condensation can form on windows, toilet tanks, and pipes due to high humidity. When warm, wet air comes into touch with cool surfaces, the vapor in the air transforms into liquid water. This is what produces condensation.
Moisture traces can cause discoloration and mold growth on ceilings and walls. Excessive moisture can also cause peeling paint and creaky or bowing floorboards.
The cause of high humidity is usually due to the climate where you live, poor ventilation, and daily activities.
Low Humidity
Low humidity means that there is low moisture in the air. The air is dry and it causes poor health. It affects your sinuses and leaves them exposed to diseases and allergens. It makes it easy for viruses such as cold and flus to spread as well.
Low humidity is usually under 40% of relative humidity. This shows you that you need address the humidity issue. You can tell there is low humidity because your skin becomes dry and itchy, turns red, and is sore. You will also have itchy eyes. You will also have recurring headaches.
Your house will suffer too. There will be damage to your woodwork and furnishings due to low humidity. Shrinkage, hardwood floor separation and warping will be noticeable, as will your piano going out of tune, wallpaper peeling at the edges, drawers loosening, and molding gaps appearing.
Ideal Humidity
According to the Mayo Clinic, the ideal relative humidity for health and comfort is between 30 and 50 percent. This suggests that the air can hold between 30 and 50 percent of its maximal moisture capacity.
So when you have your dehumidifier and want to set it, you can set your ideal humidity between 30-50%. When it reaches the ideal humidity level, it usually switches off automatically. This helps not to go beyond and leave the air too dry.
Reasons You Need A Dehumidifier
Health Benefits
Dehumidifiers assist in the elimination of allergy symptoms. Environmental allergens can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Wheezing
- Sneezing
- Chest discomfort
- Irritation of the eyes
- Itchiness
The following are some of the most common allergy triggers:
- Fungus
- Mites (dust mites)
- Pollen is a type of pollen that is
- Dander from animals
- Drying out the home’s air helps to keep stimuli to a minimum.
- Dust mites need a relative humidity level of 65% to survive and reproduce trusted Source. That’s a humidity level that a dehumidifier can regulate.
- Mold growth is also regulated by dehumidifying the air.
People with asthma can benefit from dehumidifiers.
It becomes heavier and more difficult to breathe when there is moisture. As a result, high-humidity conditions can be challenging for people living with asthma.
A dehumidifier can make inhaling and exhaling easier on the lungs. The mugginess dissipates. There is a significant improvement in indoor air quality.
There is no evidence to support using a dehumidifier to cure chronic asthma. Still, there is also little evidence that using one may be harmful.
Dehumidifiers will help you live a healthier life in a healthier environment.
Pests like silverfish, cockroaches, and spiders disappear when you remove mold and dust. People with COPD can benefit from lower humidity levels.
If you live in a humid environment, a dehumidifier will help cool your home. You can also save money on air conditioning.
Comfort Benefits
Humidity causes you to feel hot and sticky. It disrupts the body’s ability to cool itself by sweating because when there is humidity the sweat does not evaporate. Dehumidifiers help to reduce the humidity. The benefits of this:
- You will feel less hot and sticky
- It’s easier to breath
- Humidity makes it hard to sleep at night, a dehumidifier makes it more comfortable to sleep
- Dehumidifiers do not cool a room, but they give off a cooling effect because the air is no longer hot and heavy
- You are able to exercise and not experience muscle cramps due to the humidity
- Dehumidifier help to protect your valuables, clothes and property
When Is the Best Time to Use A Dehumidifier?
This is a question a lot of people may have. Do I use my dehumidifier in the Summer or the winter? When is the best time to use a dehumidifier? It all depends on where you live and what your humidity concerns are. There are instances where you can use a dehumidifier throughout the year.
Summer can be scorching at times. It’s hot, sticky, and difficult to relax on any day or night.
When bugs come in and more hot air goes around your house, opening a window may seem like a good idea at the time.
A dehumidifier during the summer months would allow you to unwind during the day. And get a good night’s sleep.
If you’re worried about your skin drying out while using a dehumidifier in the Summer, use it for a few hours per day.
Using a dehumidifier in the winter is a popular solution for people who have seen mold growing. Mold thrives in colder climates with plenty of moisture in the air. You can slow mold growth by using a dehumidifier to remove some of the moisture.
In the winter, use a dehumidifier with caution if your home or region is freezing. The dehumidifier can’t work because it’s too cold outside. The unit’s internal workings can become frozen. If this occurs, the device will stop working.
Consider using a dehumidifier with a heater if you want to use your device in the winter.
It is not necessary to keep the heater on all the time. This would be costly, and your home could become too hot. Instead, switch on the heater for a few hours during the day.
How Often Should You Use A Dehumidifier?
The interval with which you should use a dehumidifier depends on the size of your home, the climate, and other factors. Run a dehumidifier for at least 12 hours daily to get the most energy efficiency. This way, you may eliminate moisture from the air without using a lot of electricity.
If your home is still excessively humid, you may need to look into getting a size bigger dehumidifier. Do not worry about your energy bill. It will all balance out as a more powerful dehumidifier will work faster and save energy. Your home will be even more comfortable.
Also, look into buying a dehumidifier with a drain pump and hose. These will save you time and are very energy efficient. They will not have to run all the time to clear moisture. They are also low maintenance.
Which dehumidifier should I buy?
As you can see, there are many reasons why you would need to use your dehumidifier. Do not overthink it, and it will be worth it; go ahead and buy one.
You will find some energy-efficient dehumidifiers.
Also, look up dehumidifiers with automatic drainage.
Final Thoughts
The first sign that you need to use a dehumidifier is the uncomfortable feeling you get when you are in your home. When there is high humidity it is too high you can not sleep, you are hot and sticky and it’s hard to breathe freely. It is time to plug in your dehumidifier. The next thing you will see mold growth and mildew. And to prevent an increase in health issues, and property damage, do not delay to plug in your dehumidifier.
