Should You Run a Dehumidifier in the Basem*nt During the Winter? (2024)

FAQs

Should You Run a Dehumidifier in the Basem*nt During 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.

Just remember, you do not need to run your dehumidifier all the time — in fact, it is not environmentally friendly or cost-effective to do so. You'll only need to operate it during periods of high humidity. With this in mind, you may not need to install a permanent piece of equipment.

As you debate whether or not to use a dehumidifier in winter, you should always watch the humidity levels in your home. If your relative humidity levels stay high, it might be a good idea to run your device. In fact, if your humidity levels remain above 50 percent, your room will benefit from a basem*nt dehumidifier.

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

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.

Basem*nt Dehumidifier Settings

Set your dehumidifier between 40% - 50% in your basem*nt. Ideally, the Relative Humidity (RH) in your home should remain near 50% or less. The RH of your home should not go above 65%. You should also not go below 15% relative humidity so that your room isn't too dry.

During cold winter months, the air in your home is usually dry, which means a dehumidifier is not necessary. In fact, dehumidifiers actually work most efficiently in warm temperatures and decrease in efficiency as the temperature cools.

Cold winter air is dry, so you will want to use a humidifier in the winter more than dehumidifier. The more cold air that enters your home, the drier your indoor air will be. Weather-stripping is a good way to patch up any leaks or holes. These leaks or holes could be causing drafts and making your air drier.

Hibernating for Winter

Most dehumidifiers should not be operated in temperatures under 60° F because of the potential for moisture removed from the air to freeze on the coils, which can damage the unit.

It's best to use a dehumidifier only when humidity levels exceed 50% or drop below 30%.

Why is my dehumidifier not working in the winter? ›

Temperature check

If the temperature in your room is too low, don't t run your dehumidifier. 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.

Dehumidifiers increase the temperature of a room by as much as 5-10 degrees so in winter this is appealing. Perhaps not as appealing in summer.

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.

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.

During winter months, optimal home humidity levels should be around 25 to 40 percent. However, if the humidity levels drop too low, you can experience adverse effects on your health, causing things like nosebleeds, dry skin and more vulnerability to common winter-time sicknesses.

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.

The energy consumption of your appliances (in kilowatts per hour) can be found on the label and the manual. This number will be expressed in kilowatts per hour and it will something like this: The average energy consumption of a dehumidifier device is 280 watts-hour or 0.28 kilowatts-hour.

Should a Dehumidifier Run Constantly? No, your dehumidifier should not have to run constantly to regulate the air humidity. An optimal humidity level to shoot for is between 30 and 50 percent. Your dehumidifier should reach this in 8 to 12 hours.

In the winter, as the temperatures get colder, the air becomes dryer. You don't want to have your dehumidifier constantly running and make the air too dry. To get the best performance out of your system, only run your dehumidifier in the warmer months like the spring and summer.

'In damp rooms, it is safe to use a dehumidifier continuously. It should then automatically shut off once the tank is full,' assures Katie Holland at Russell Hobbs. 'However, we would always recommend that people only operate dehumidifiers for 8 hours at a time when doing tasks such as drying laundry. '