Does a dehumidifier cool a house? Just as dehumidifiers don’t technically cool a room, but can have a cooling effect thanks to the reduction in humidity, the same concept applies to an entire house. The key is to invest in a unit that has the capacity to cover a large area
Dehumidifiers And Dew Point
What is dew point?
Defining the dew point can seem challenging to understand, but we will simplify it.
Another way to explain the dew point is the temperature where water vapor turns into liquid water.
Why is dew point important?
Dew point is crucial in predicting how comfortable people will feel when it’s warm.
The meteorologists use the dew point to predict precipitation. They can calculate how much moisture is in the air. They can then predict conditions such as fog and dew and other types of precipitation. Dew point can also help to predict the risk of frostbite.
When it comes to being indoors, we do not refer to a dew point as often. We don’t usually discuss dew point in our day-to-day life; we only see it in the weather reports. But we don’t realize how important it is. People can see whether the dew point will be high or low. This allows them to know how comfortable they are likely to feel indoors.
Experts recommend maintaining a dew point of fewer than 62°F degrees F (17 degrees C) in buildings. A Dew point of 61°F (16 C) or lower is ideal in cold climates. While dew points between 62 and 70°F (17 to 21 C) are acceptable; in hot or humid places. The perfect dew point should be at 71°F (22 C) or lower. Dew point plays a role in maintaining healthy indoor air quality. It helps control the amount of moisture in building materials each year.
Keeping the dew point below 65°F degree is key for people living in cold climates. They need to make sure their homes stay dry when cold outside to prevent mold growth.
The dew-point temperature can also help predict how much water is available.
At what temperature do we reach the dew point?
The dew-point temperature of 60°F (16 degrees Celsius) or lower is comfortable. Most individuals feel hot or “sticky” at a higher dew point, such as 70°F (21 C). The amount of water vapor in the air stops sweat evaporation and prevents the body from cooling.
Using A Dehumidifier In Summer
Summers can be miserable due to high humidity levels. It is possible to get a dehumidifier for summer periods. You don’t have to buy one; you can rent one for the period you need it. You will notice the benefits. A dehumidifier in summer:
- Reduces the number of dust mites and improves air quality.
- Dries the air, lowering humidity and making it feel cooler.
- In humid summer conditions, it prevents mold growth.
- Running costs are low, and there are a variety of solutions to suit any room size
Using A Dehumidifier In Winter
For people who have seen mold growing, using a dehumidifier in the winter is a popular solution. 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 dehumidifier 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 as a result. Instead, during the day, switch on the heater for a few hours.
Another solution is to buy a low-temperature dehumidifier. A device like this will work in very low temperatures even as low as 2 degrees. Desiccant dehumidifiers work best in cold climates or cold spaces. It will work efficiently compared to the refrigerant dehumidifier. It is also energy efficient and will not cost as much as using a heater with your dehumidifier.
Dehumidifier With An Air Conditioner
A dehumidifier can work with an air conditioner to make your home more pleasant. In most cases, what it cannot do is replace an air conditioner. Both a dehumidifier and an air conditioner remove humidity from home. But they do so in different ways.
A dehumidifier pulls moist air in. It eliminates it by passing it through cooler tubes and coils than the entering air’s dew point. The dew point is the temperature at which moisture in the air condenses from a vapor to a liquid.
After removing the moisture, the device reheats the air before releasing it. This means that the air that goes out to the room will be warmer and dryer than when it entered.
An air conditioner also sucks in warm, humid air from your home, but it removes the heat and moisture. Moving air across refrigerant-filled coils cools the air. This allows moisture to condense and drain away while the heat collected goes through the air conditioner’s external unit. As a result, the air that returns will be cooler and dryer than it was.
Efficiently Using A Dehumidifier
To get the most from your dehumidifier, there are a few factors you need to consider.
Dehumidifier placement
- If your dehumidifier doesn’t have a top-mounted air discharge, don’t put it near furniture or walls.
- To avoid any unauthorised usage or consequences, leave at least 6-12 inches of space on all sides.
- When the unit is on, keep your doors and windows shut.
- To achieve the best circulation, put it as close to the center of the room as possible.
- Place it as close to the moisture source as possible while working with larger spaces. If you place it too far away, you will not feel your unit’s effects.
- Avoid placing it near any furniture since this may obstruct your unit’s ventilation unless it’s a top-mounted discharge type.
- Avoid putting it near any dust-gathering places, which could cause your unit to clog.
Empty your water tank
Your dehumidifier needs regular maintenance. This includes emptying your water tank. Do not wait for your tank to be full because you may miss it, and it will overflow. This defeats the purpose you are trying to achieve.
Most dehumidifiers will auto-shut off when the tank is full. And have an indicator light to show the tank needs emptying. If you do not check this, dehumidification will stop until you empty the tank.
An easier way to deal with this issue is to get a dehumidifier with a drain hose. It can then automatically drain the tank without you having to monitor it. It drains it out into a floor drain, sink, or window. This is the best solution.
Ideal operating temperature
Make sure you are using your dehumidifier at the ideal operating temperature. The perfect temperature for a dehumidifier is 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit. If it goes below this, the coils will freeze over, especially for refrigerant dehumidifiers. This frost will damage your device. It will also stop working, and humidity will not reduce.
Some dehumidifiers come with anti-frost sensors and auto-defrost. But if you see that you need to run your dehumidifier in temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, then get a desiccant dehumidifier. This one is ideal for lower temperatures.
Buy the right size dehumidifier for the room size.
The capacity of a dehumidifier is usually measured in pints per 24 hours. Two factors determine the capacity you should get:
The size of the area you want to use the device in
Before dehumidification, the condition in the room or space.
Set your dehumidifier humidity level
When you are setting up your dehumidifier, set your desired humidity level, this way, when it arrives at the ideal humidity level, it will switch off. It will not run continuously, using energy.
Dehumidifiers are an essential appliance to have in the home. They protect your health from the effects of high humidity indoors. They also protect your property from moisture damage.
We recommend you consider buying AC Conditioner Dehumidifiers and Frigididiers Portable dehumidifiers. Look for larger capacity units that will cost you less to run as they clear moisture faster. You can consider buying these dehumidifiers:
Final Thoughts
Dehumidifiers may only give you the cooler effect after removing the moisture from the air, but it does not do the work of an air conditioner. It is better to get both devices so that they work together.
