Here's When You Should Stop Using A Dehumidifier

Is your house humid even with the air conditioning on? Investing in a dehumidifier could help, as they are able to keep the indoor relative humidity under control so the levels stay in the sweet spot, which is between 30% and 50%. Letting your home's humidity exceed 60% increases the risk of mold growth. Plus, high humidity can encourage pests to make themselves at home in your home. Running your dehumidifier nonstop might seem like the best option to prevent those issues, but it's not an appliance you want to operate year-round. Rather, it's only necessary when your relative humidity levels are high.

Humidity is usually a warm-weather issue. Colder air can't retain as much moisture as warmer air, which is why summer days are usually when you notice the uncomfortable humidity. That also means you typically don't need to run your dehumidifier when the temperature drops below about 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it gets cooler, you likely aren't battling indoor humidity levels anymore.

For most people, that means shutting your dehumidifier off for the season in late fall and leaving it off until spring. However, the timing depends largely on the climate in your area. If the weather stays warm year-round where you live, you might keep your dehumidifier on for most of the year. Measuring the humidity level in your home helps you decide if you should shut off the appliance in those situations and help you avoid common mistakes when dehumidifying your home. 

Running your dehumidifier for longer than necessary puts excess strain on the appliance, which can shorten its life. As the temperature drops, the colder air could damage the unit. When the air is colder than 60 degrees, moisture that the appliance removes from the air could freeze on the dehumidifier coils. By shutting your dehumidifier off once temps hit 65 degrees, you avoid getting too close to damaging temperatures. 

You can also decide when to shut off your dehumidifier by monitoring the humidity levels with a hygrometer. Not sure what a hygrometer is? It's a tool that measures the relative humidity in the air. When you notice your humidity levels staying in the 30% to 50% range without the dehumidifier running frequently, you might consider shutting off the dehumidifier for the season to avoid excessively low humidity. Low humidity often makes your skin and hair feel dry and could cause respiratory issues. A lack of moisture in the air can also damage items in your home, including musical instruments, wood items, and electronics.

Modern dehumidifiers typically have auto shut-off features based on humidity levels in the home. The appliance allows you to set a target humidity level based on your preferences. When the relative humidity level reaches that target level, the dehumidifier shuts off temporarily and turns back on if the humidity levels get high enough. This feature keeps the dehumidifier from running too much during the warmer season. However, once you enter the cooler season, shutting the dehumidifier off completely protects it from unnecessary wear and extra energy use.