Dehumidifiers are great at dealing with humid air, but when should you turn off your dehumidifier?
For best indoor air quality, turn your dehumidifier off once it reaches the target 30-50% relative humidity level
If the humidity level is below 30%, you will have to deal with dry air that can be harmful to your nose, mouth, lungs, and even the inside of your home.
Below you’ll find out what to set your dehumidifier to during the summer and how to deal with cold temperatures as well.
Let’s get started.
When Should I Turn Off My Dehumidifier?
Depending on your preference, you can experiment and see what humidity levels feel best to you.
You may enjoy 35% while others enjoy 45%, and your location is important in this calculation as well.
If you don’t have a dehumidifier that has a humidity sensor, then you can purchase a hygrometer which is a tool that measures humidity levels in the air.
It’s more common for dehumidifiers these days to have automatic humidity sensors built-in, so you won’t need to worry about when to turn off your dehumidifier.
Should I leave My Dehumidifier on All The Time?
Consider during the winter months, cold winter air is naturally dry and does not need to be dehumidified.
You may live in an environment where the winter months are mild or even hot, and then you may need to use a dehumidifier if the outside air is humid.
If your dehumidifier has automatic sensors to detect the relative humidity levels, then you can leave it on all the time.
If you have a smaller model like a bathroom dehumidifier, then you should monitor the humidity levels in your room to ensure it doesn’t go below 30%.
Ideally, the humidity levels should stay between 30-50%.
The other problem with leaving your dehumidifier on all the time is higher electricity bills.
It can cost around $1.54 to run your dehumidifier all day, which can add up to almost $50 tacked onto your electric bill at the end of the month.
For best practice, turn off your dehumidifier once the excess humidity in your environment is brought back to the ideal 30-50% range.
When Should I Turn Off a Basement Dehumidifier?
You should turn off a basement dehumidifier once the relative humidity levels reach 30-50%.
Your ideal relative humidity levels will vary depending on your location, how much excess moisture is in the air and whether your basement is prone to the summer air.
It’s important to turn off your dehumidifier before the relative humidity levels reach under 30%.
You can start to experience some side effects of the low humidity level in the air if the dehumidifier is left to run all day.
Should I leave a Dehumidifier on Overnight?
You can run your dehumidifier overnight as long as it has built-in humidity sensors that turn the dehumidifier off once the humidity threshold is reached.
If you don’t have an automatic shut-off feature, then you’ll need to check the humidity level of your environment once you wake up.
If you find that the humidity level is below 30% after your dehumidifier has run overnight, you may be doing more harm than good.
The best way to leave your dehumidifier overnight is by purchasing one that will shut itself off once it reached the threshold.
Will My Dehumidifier Turn off Automatically?
Your dehumidifier will turn off automatically if it has built-in humidity sensors.
Cheaper, portable dehumidifiers normally don’t offer this type of feature.
What Should I Set My Dehumidifier to in the Summer?
Consumer Reports and Energy Start recommend setting your dehumidifier to 30-50% relative humidity during the summer months.
Your air conditioner can act as a dehumidifier, but if the temperature and relative humidity outside is high, it may not be enough.
If the humidity levels are unchecked during the summer, it can expose your home to dust mites, mold growth, and unwanted moisture all around your home.
Should You Run Your AC with a Dehumidifier?
While air conditioners are great at dehumidifying the air, they may not be enough if you are dealing with high humidity.
The best way to know if your AC is enough is by checking the humidity level of the air when your AC is on.
If it’s above 50%, then you will need a dehumidifier.
Final Thoughts
While dehumidifiers are great for reducing humidity, you do not want to run a dehumidifier all day long.
If the humidity levels are left unchecked, the dry air can be detrimental to your environment.
Once the humidity levels reach 30-50%, you can turn off your dehumidifier.
If you have a dehumidifier with built-in humidity sensors, then you don’t need to turn off your dehumidifier.
