Should My Dehumidifier Run in the Winter? - Santa Fe (2024)

Should My Dehumidifier Run in the Winter? - Santa Fe (1)

A Santa Fe dehumidifier is an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to maintaining the air quality in your home. It works to remove excess humidity from the air, which can help control the environmental conditions that lead to the growth of mold and mildew, reduce allergy and asthma symptoms, and make the air feel more comfortable to breathe. However, many people wonder if their dehumidifier should run in the winter. The answer is that, in most cases, dehumidifiers typically do not need to run during the winter months in most areas because the air is naturally dry due to low humidity and the use of heating systems.

The Ideal Winter Humidity


The ideal humidity level in a home during the winter is between 30-50%. Too low humidity can cause dry skin and static electricity, contribute to health problems, and even damage wood furniture and musical instruments. On the other hand, humidity that is too high can lead to mold and other types of indoor air quality problems. Maintaining the proper humidity level can be done using a humidifier or by ensuring that your home is properly ventilated.

Main Reason for Not Running a Dehumidifier in the Winter


One of the main reasons why you don’t need to run your dehumidifier in the winter is that the air is naturally dry during this time of year due to low dew points outside. In most areas, the humidity level drops significantly during the winter, as the cold air is unable to hold as much moisture as warm air. This means that the air in your home is likely dry, even without the use of a dehumidifier.


Another reason why you don’t need a dehumidifier in the winter is that your heating system helps to reduce humidity. Turning on your heating system works to warm the air in your home, which naturally drys the air.


However, if you live in a humid area with extended shoulder seasons and your home tends to be damp in the winter, running a Santa Fe dehumidifier can help to remove excess humidity from the air and make your home feel more comfortable.


While running your Santa Fe dehumidifier during the spring, summer and fall can be extremely useful, it is generally not necessary to operate during the winter months. The dry, cold outdoor air and the use of heating systems help to reduce humidity and keep the air in your home comfortable. If you are concerned about high relative humidity in your home during the winter, increasing the ventilation to bring in more outdoor dry air is often the solution.

Should My Dehumidifier Run in the Winter? - Santa Fe (2)

Click here for more information on Wintertime Dehumidification –Tips & Tricks

Published on Jan 06 2023

Last Updated on Jan 07 2023

By Nikki Krueger

Categorized under

Should My Dehumidifier Run in the Winter? - Santa Fe (2024)

FAQs

Should My Dehumidifier Run in the Winter? - Santa Fe? ›

While running your Santa Fe dehumidifier during the spring, summer and fall can be extremely useful, it is generally not necessary to operate during the winter months. The dry, cold outdoor air and the use of heating systems help to reduce humidity and keep the air in your home comfortable.

What should my dehumidifier be set at in winter? ›

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.

Why does my Santa Fe dehumidifier keep freezing up? ›

So, when a dehumidifier has frozen it could be because the room it's in is too cold. The water will freeze on the cold coils, instead of allowing it to drain away. Less commonly, there are other possible causes including: Airflow: The water can't drain off the coils quickly enough because there isn't enough airflow.

What temperature is too cold to run a dehumidifier? ›

Ordinarily, a dehumidifier will not operate satisfactorily at temperatures below 41 degrees Fahrenheit or under extremely low humidity conditions.

Should you turn off the dehumidifier in the winter? ›

In the case of dangerously low temperatures, or if humidity falls below 30 percent, make sure you turn off your device. Alternatively, get a dehumidifier that allows you to set a humidity threshold, below which it can automatically turn itself off.

Is 35 humidity too low in winter? ›

The amount of moisture in your home is determined by air temperature and air pressure. Depending on the season and personal preference, the ideal indoor humidity levels in your home should range from between 30 percent to 50 percent (relative humidity). The goal is to be between 35 percent and 40 percent.

What should the indoor humidity be in winter? ›

So, what is the best humidity level for homes in winter? A good range is 30-40% but some people may prefer lower levels. It's essential to take into consideration anyone that has health issues like asthma or COPD, as dry air can irritate lung tissue.

Why is my dehumidifier not working in the winter? ›

At certain temperatures, the coils will freeze and it will begin running on auto-defrost mode. At very low temperatures the dehumidifier will stop working.

At what temperature does a dehumidifier freeze? ›

The purpose of a dehumidifier is to remove or extract humidity from the air. To do this, they hold the dampness inside their heating coils and then release it into a closed system. If you use one below-freezing temperature, the coils will eventually freeze, and the machine will stop working.

Do dehumidifiers work in winter? ›

Dehumidifiers do work in winter, but when it is very cold, there's a difference in the moisture in the air. When temperatures are below freezing, moisture becomes trapped in the ice and snow and the relative humidity in the air plummets.

Will a dehumidifier work below 65 degrees? ›

Ideal Dehumidifier Operating Temperatures. The ideal operating temperature for standard refrigerant dehumidifiers is between about 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and between 60% - 80% relative humidity.

Should I use a dehumidifier in hot weather? ›

Do dehumidifiers cool rooms? They do more than that! This game-changing solution protects your home and family from the dangers of too-high humidity caused by the summer heat, including irritated allergies, increased mold growth, and much more.

What number should you keep your dehumidifier on? ›

You want it set at 30 – 50%. If there's too much moisture, you'll get dampness and mould. If there's too little moisture, your home will be too dry and attract bacteria. When your dehumidifier sucks in the moisture-filled air, it turns it into condensation and stores it in a container.

Does a dehumidifier make your house warmer in winter? ›

Even if you're in a small room with a powerful dehumidifier that runs often, the air in your room will only increase a few degrees F. The room likely won't even feel warmer with a dehumidifier. That's because the dehumidifier is removing excess moisture, so you'll feel more comfortable than without the dehumidifier.

Is 55 humidity too high for basem*nt? ›

Anything below 30% is too low and can lead to structural changes in your home, causing gaps between windows and doors. Aside from health issues, insufficient moisture levels can also cause wood floors to creak and damage your belongings. Moisture levels above 50% can lead to mildew, mold and bacteria growth.

What is the best setting for a whole house dehumidifier? ›

The Optimal Level of Humidity in a Building is Between 30-50% According to Energy Star's dehumidifier basics, the optimum level of relative humidity for a building is generally considered to be between 30% and 50%. Anything above this range may cause moisture-related issues.

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