Is a dehumidifier good for hot weather? The answer is definitely “yes”. With the help of a dehumidifier, you can stay cool and comfortable in your home throughout the summer months.
If you live in a humid environment, then you are more likely to experience allergy or respiratory problems like runny nose, sneezing and coughing. A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, which prevents mold and mildew from growing in your house to protect your family's health in the long run.
Dehumidifiers also reduce your AC bill and help keep you comfortable in hot weather. But, how to get the most out of your dehumidifier in summer? We are going to walk you through the 5 tips to maximize the benefits of a dehumidifier in the summer months.
Why Use a Dehumidifier in Summer?
Summer is the most humid season of the year. In the summer, your indoor environment has higher relative humidity than in the winter months. When you use a dehumidifier regularly, you can reduce the level of moisture in your home to a level that is comfortable for your family.
Mold growth by excessive moisture also causes damage to your furniture and belongings according to EPA so keeping your dehumidifier running in the summer is a must. Plus, the reduction of humidity will help you save energy (and money) on your heating and cooling system as well.
How to Set Dehumidifier in Summer?
If you place your dehumidifier in a damp basement, it's best to set the unit at 35% to 45% relative humidity to prevent mold issues. In other rooms, the ideal relative humidity levels should be between 45% to 55%.
In general, anything below 35% relative humidity is intended to cause problems with your breathing, and anything above 60% relative humidity will promote the growth of mold and mildew. The lower your setting, the more aggressively you will be battling moisture, but the higher your electricity bill will become.
Tips for Maximizing the Benefits of a Dehumidifier in the Summer
Using your dehumidifier properly not only makes your device last longer but also works better than you might expect. There are some things to keep in mind when it comes to using dehumidifiers in the summer:
Choose the right size
Generally speaking, the more cubic feet of space you have in your home the bigger dehumidifier you should get. But remember that a larger dehumidifier will not necessarily work better for you. The amount of moisture in your home's atmosphere is a key factor.
A portable dehumidifier will work best in most cases. For example, if you want to place the dehumidifier in a “very damp” 2000 sq. ft. room, you should consider getting a 50 pint dehumidifier (check our sizing guide in case you are not sure what size to pick).
Clean the dehumidifier regularly
You must clean your dehumidifier regularly to maintain its performance. Simply grab a sponge and clean the filter of the dehumidifier with a small amount of dishwashing detergent and warm water.
Read our guide on how to clean a dehumidifier for more information.
Close the door when running the dehumidifier
If you leave the door open, the excessive amount of moisture outside the window will find its way into the room so your dehumidifier has to work harder to balance the indoor humidity. This is why it is important to close the door when running the dehumidifier.
Use the dehumidifier only when needed
Dehumidifiers work best when they are used on a regular basis. However, there's no need to keep your dehumidifier running on low humid days.
You can use a hygrometer to measure the humidity. If it is too high (above 50%), you can turn on the dehumidifier to bring the indoor humidity back to normal. The health of your family depends on your ability to control indoor humidity levels.
If you don’t need to use the dehumidifier for an extended period, it is better to store it in a dry location instead of running it continuously.
Consider a whole-house unit
If you want to dehumidify more than a room, consider buying a whole-house dehumidifier. Whole-house units are designed to run continuously and remove excess humidity from your basement, garage, and any other room in your home.
The downside of a whole-house unit is that it can be more expensive to operate than a smaller unit. However, this investment is often worth it if you have a large area that needs to be dehumidified.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, it is essential to invest in a dehumidifier for your home in the summer months. The ideal dehumidifier should be correctly sized according to room area and environmental conditions.
To get the most out of your dehumidifier, make sure to clean it regularly, turn it on when doors are closed and also consider purchasing a whole-house dehumidifier if you have a large area that needs to be dehumidified.
