It is always a good idea to regulate your home's humidity as it can reduce various health problems.
Considering that dehumidifiers can significantly reduce the air's moisture content, the question is, does a dehumidifier reduce humidity?
To find out, continue to scan this realm of dehumidifiers.
How Does a Dehumidifier Work? (To Reduce Humidity)
Controlling Humidity in the House (Using a Dehumidifier)
If you are not familiar with humidity, it refers to the amount of water vapor within the air. The higher the relative humidity is, the more moisture is contained in the air.
If you want to feel how humid a place is, you can simply touch your skin and see if there's sweat on it or not. If you feel that sort of sensation, then that place is quite humid.
The following are the steps on how to reduce the relative humidity inside your home:
Step 1 – Test the Existing Humidity Level
The first thing you need to do is check the current level of humidity in your house. This can be done by getting a hygrometer and placing it in various areas of your home. It will show you how much moisture is present in each room.
Reading this device will give you a general idea about the humidity level and you can now gauge how much it should be.
Step 2 – Set the Right Humidistat Level
The second step is to set the right humidity level of your dehumidifier. According to hygrometer readings, decouple that percentage from the maximum capacity of your dehumidifier. Then, set the humidistat with your unit accordingly.
Step 3 – Get a Dehumidifier that's Right for Your Room(s)
Some dehumidifiers come in various sizes and capacities. Some have a bigger capacity while others have smaller ones, so you must choose the right one according to the size of the room you are planning to use it in.
Step 4 – Use and Maintain Your Dehumidifier
When you have your dehumidifier, don't just stick it anywhere. Make sure that it is put in a clean and dry place. Just like any other appliance, you must also properly maintain your dehumidifier.
This includes dusting it regularly and cleaning the filters once every two weeks. Make sure that you regularly check the dehumidifier's water tank as well, because if your unit runs out of water, then its functionality will be affected.
Step 5 – You're Now Set to Go!
Once you have followed these steps, you are now ready to use your dehumidifier.
Can a Dehumidifier Cool a Room? (When Humidity Is Reduced)
While the primary purpose of a dehumidifier is to remove excess moisture from the air, you can also expect it to cool your room temperature. This happens because lower humidity makes the temperature cooler inside your home.
Remember that if you're planning to use your dehumidifier during summer, then its cooling effect will be more obvious when the temperature outside is hot.
For those who are living in humid areas, consider using a dehumidifier. It will make you feel cool and fresh, so if you want to have that constant feeling of cleanliness, then this is one of the best ways to go about it.
Skin Moisture
Evaporation Is Changed as Relative Humidity Is Reduced
People who live in areas of high humidity tend to have more problems with their skin. The environment where they live is not conducive to removing moisture, which can lead to dry skin and blemishes.
To balance the amount of moisture that evaporates through sweat and other methods, then you need a dehumidifier.
Dehumidifier simply uses a science principle - which is that moisture in the air will not affect your skin if there's less moisture in the air.
A dehumidifier works by pulling moisture from the air and then evaporating it. Because of this, humidity levels will be lowered in any room that uses a dehumidifier - regardless of the climate outside.
Reducing humidity can be a way to restore balance so that the skin can regain its natural moisture and lessen the chances of hygiene problems developing.
Dehumidifiers Don’t Cool a Room Down but Feel Like They Do
Dehumidifiers don't cool the air that is inside your home, they lower the humidity instead.
If you lower the amount of moisture in an area, then it results in a temperature drop. This is why a dehumidifier can feel like it's cooling down your room but it's not since its main goal is to reduce the humidity that is inside your home.
If you want to have a cooler room, consider changing the temperature of your air conditioners instead. Your dehumidifier can also help to make your air conditioner more efficient.
Signs You Need a Dehumidifier (Humidity Problem)
Choosing a Dehumidifier (To Reduce Humidity)
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the right dehumidifier. Usually, you will find that it can be difficult to shop for these products because they are available in various types and brands.
But with proper research, understanding your needs, and knowing what to look for, you can make an informed decision about which product is the best for you.
Some of the things that you should check include:
Area That You Will Be Dehumidifying – The amount of space that you will be dehumidifying will determine which size unit that you need. If your area is small then it doesn't make sense to get a big unit, so think about this if you are planning to use your dehumidifier regularly.
Material of Construction – Most units are made from plastic or metal, and it's up to you which one you prefer to get. If you won't be moving the unit then go for something made with metal, but if portability is your concern then plastic would be better.
Size of the Unit – The size of a dehumidifier is usually measured by its weight, so you need to consider this if you want to get one that you can easily move from place to place. But if you plan to leave it in one area and not move it then there's no reason for getting a small unit since bigger ones can remove moisture from a larger area.
Warranty – A warranty is an important thing to consider since it gives you peace of mind, especially if your unit will be used in high humidity areas like bathrooms and basements.
What Capacity Dehumidifier Do I Need? (To Reduce Humidity)
There are 2 main things to consider when trying to decide on which capacity dehumidifier you should get. First is the space you will be using it for, and second is how much noise (from the operation) you can tolerate.
If you are planning to use it for a small area like a basement then you will need a low capacity one, and if your space is large such as an entire house then go with something with more capacity.
If you get one with low capacity then be prepared to empty your reservoir more often.
But if your space is larger or has high humidity levels like bathroom and storage areas, then go with a dehumidifier with more capacity.
Finally, the amount of noise that a unit makes is also another thing to consider since some models are louder than others. Decide if you can tolerate the noise or not, then choose what you need or want.
Related Article: Dehumidifier Uses: What For, Signs You Need It, & Benefits
Benefits of a Dehumidifier (When Humidity is Reduced)
Helps Reduce Allergy Symptoms
When humidity is high, then allergens like dust mites as well as mold and mildew can thrive inside your home. If you are suffering from allergies then these contaminants in the air can trigger a lot of symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes among others.
Dehumidifiers help reduce the amount of moisture that there is in the air which also helps reduce allergens from growing and triggering allergic reactions.
Related Article: Dehumidifiers for Allergies: Benefits, Side Effects, & How to Use
May Help Control Asthma
If you have asthma then a dehumidifier may be of help to control the symptoms. When humidity is high, your airways will tend to get inflamed and when this happens it doesn't mean that you can't breathe properly.
If a dehumidifier is running in your home, it will pull out moisture from the air helping the airway tissues to dry off which helps lessen inflammation in addition to making it easier for you to breathe properly.
Also, because a dehumidifier reduces the number of allergens and other contaminants in your home then this likewise will help decrease asthma attacks that are triggered by them.
Improves Indoor Air Quality
The air inside your home is not healthier than the air outside since it's being polluted by allergens and contaminants like bacteria.
An air conditioning unit is not enough, so a dehumidifier can help bring down the moisture level of the air in your home. It keeps these airborne particles from spreading around.
This will keep everyone in your household healthy and feeling good. It can improve the overall quality of air that you and your family breathe.
Can Create a Healthier Environment
Having dry air in the house can make it more comfortable. It can keep your home fresher and smelling good naturally since there are no longer any musty odors lingering around.
This is healthier for you too since lower humidity helps restrict dust mites and mold from growing inside your home. This may help keep allergens from spreading around as well.
Does a Dehumidifier Lower Humidity FAQ
What Is the Ideal Humidity Level for My Home?
The ideal humidity level for your home is 35% to 50%. Since dehumidifiers can help get the humidity down, you could easily hit that sweet spot and not have to worry about any of its negative effects.
How Much Can a Dehumidifier Lower Humidity?
It depends on the model. But for a standard capacity one, it could lower it by up to 30%. And if you go with a larger one then expect an even greater reduction.
How Long Does It Take a Dehumidifier to Lower Humidity?
It depends on the space you are targeting. This will tell you how much area it can cover and also how effective it will be in reducing humidity levels.
If your room is smaller then it should take less time to achieve its results, but if it's larger then more time is required. You'll have to experiment on this one since no set time could apply to all dehumidifiers.
How to Lower Humidity in Grow Tent?
If you need to lower the humidity in your tent for plants, then you can simply get a dehumidifier. Your options are limitless since there so many of them on the market. Choose one that works according to the size of your grow tent and has any other features that may be beneficial for it.
Is There an Effective Way to Reduce Humidity Below 30%?
No, there isn't. Some dehumidifiers can lower the level by up to 30%, but if you get a larger one then it may not be as effective in lowering it below a certain point.
30% is already ideal for your home so going any lower than that would just introduce more risks and things that could happen. So, best stick to a dehumidifier for your dry air problems.
How Can I Lower Humidity Without a Dehumidifier?
You can just open the windows in your living space since it will allow air circulation and escape through them. This will introduce cooler fresh air that may help lower the humidity levels too.
This way is effective for a quick fix, but not so much if you want to do something more permanent. A dehumidifier is better when it comes to dealing with this long term.
Summary
A dehumidifier lowers humidity but it will not reduce the moisture content to zero - but instead may range between 50 and 80% less humid.
Don't think that you don't need to use a dehumidifier because of this. You will find that using a dehumidifier can provide many benefits ranging from lower energy costs to fewer colds and a healthier environment.
