When to Use a Dehumidifier: Winter or Summer?

We all know how it feels when the air around us is highly humid. Not a good feeling, right? We face this issue both indoors and outdoors. And it creates so much discomfort, particularly for those with asthma or respiratory problems. Having a dehumidifier in your home can help you avoid suffering from it.

That said,  you may not need to use your dehumidifier all the time. So, when is the best time to use a dehumidifier—winter or summer? Let's find out when to use a dehumidifier and what size is best for your needs.

When to Use a Dehumidifier?

You should use a dehumidifier when there is high humidity. Different factors contribute to the high humidity levels. One of the factors is the changing season. In summer and warmer months, the humidity levels rise, particularly in coastal and high-temperature regions. 

While in winter and colder months, humidity drops. However, cooking and showering can increase indoor humidity, particularly in basements and poorly ventilated areas.

So, you need to find out when you should use one.

Signs that you should turn your dehumidifier on:

• Your allergy signs worsen.
• You feel sticky most of the time.
• You see mold and mildew growing.
• There are musty odors in your home.
• Wooden surfaces in your home start to warp.
• There is too much condensation on the walls

Too much moisture in the air not only creates discomfort but also triggers health risks. So, you need to address this problem before your home becomes a perfect breeding ground for mold mildew, bacteria, and dust mites as they all thrive in high-humidity environments. 

This is why it is recommended to have a whole home dehumidifier, so you can use it whenever needed. You don’t need a large dehumidifier all the time. Simply a portable dehumidifier also works well in various indoor settings.

When to Use a Dehumidifier in Winter?

The ideal indoor humidity levels fall between 30-50%. In winter, the air is generally dry, and you may not need a dehumidifier most of the time. Sometimes you even need a humidifier, as dry air can also cause problems, such as dry skin, and irritated sinuses.

But there are certain conditions where you need a dehumidifier even in winter too. Sometimes, frequent indoor activities like cooking, showering, doing laundry, or drying clothes indoors can lead to musty smells and condensation on windows and walls. Also, you may need one if you live in a state with high relative humidity like Alaska and Florida.

If you notice signs of excess moisture, consider using a dehumidifier. However, you need to be careful when using a dehumidifier in winter. Remember that if the coil freezes, it can permanently damage your unit. So, you need to continuously monitor your unit. 

Once the desired humidity level is reached, turn off the unit. If you don’t want to do this manually, consider using an auto-dehumidifier. For example, Aloraircommerical Strom LGR Extreme features automatic digital humidistat control that maintains the desired humidity without manual adjustment

Dealing with high humidity in winter isn’t as challenging as it can be in summer.  You can handle moisture issues in winter without using a dehumidifier. Sometimes just running your fan works. Also, you can leave your door open for a while if it isn’t too cold outside. 

So, we recommend not using your dehumidifier in winter, but you can use it in spring, during hot summer months, and in early fall to control moisture levels. This protects your unit from potential damage that could occur from running it in winter.

When to Use a Dehumidifier in Summer?

You need a dehumidifier the most in summer, particularly in May, June, July, August, and September. In these months, the hot and muggy weather causes a lot of moisture in the air which creates both discomfort and health problems.

Using a dehumidifier in the summer can significantly improve your health and comfort.

Here is when and why you should use a dehumidifier in summer:

Humidity is High

Hot weather often brings a lot of moisture. You should be careful particularly if you live in a region with a hot and moist climate. When the humidity level rises above 55%, it makes the weather feel hotter than it is. When you run a dehumidifier, you feel cooler and more comfortable.

After Heavy Rain

Due to heavy rain, water can intrude into your home and cause damage. If you experience flooding or water leaks, using a heavy-duty dehumidifier can help resolve these problems quickly. This will prevent long-term damage and mold growth. 

High Energy Bills

High humidity affects the efficiency of your overall cooling system. You need to run your AC for a longer time, which increases your electricity costs. A dehumidifier reduces the humidity, so you won’t need to run your AC as long.

When Your AC isn’t Enough

If your air conditioner isn’t enough, you can turn on your dehumidifier alongside it. This significantly improves the efficiency of your AC, making you feel more comfortable.

Damp Basement or Crawl Space

Your basements or crawl spaces are most prone to moisture buildup during summer. This can lead to several problems that include unpleasant odors, mold growth, and even structural damage. So using a basement dehumidifier with a pump can be a very handy solution in such cases.

Using a dehumidifier in summer helps you breathe more comfortably and reduces symptoms that trigger health risks like asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues.

What Size Dehumidifier Do I Need?

How big of a dehumidifier do I need? That depends on the size of your space where you want to use it. For single rooms and small spaces, a portable dehumidifier or a small wifi dehumidifier works well.

For damp and poorly ventilated spaces like basements, you need to choose a high-quality dehumidifier for the basement so you can get the best results.

For commercial spaces such as warehouses, large retail stores, gyms, manufacturing plants, office spaces, and storage facilities, it’s recommended to use heavy-duty industrial dehumidifiers or commercial dehumidifiers.

Conclusion

You need a dehumidifier more often in summer. You may need to use one in winter as well. But that depends on your indoor conditions. 

A dehumidifier is highly useful when there is a lot of moisture in the air. Usually, humidity remains low in winter everywhere but not the same. For example in the Midwest US, the humidity is too low and you even need to run to run a humidifier.

On the other hand, in regions like Texas, you may need a dehumidifier even in winter sometimes. Usually in winter, the humidity doesn’t cause big problems. Therefore, we recommend not using your unit in winter to prevent any permanent damage.

Want help finding the products to improve the air quality of your home or office? You can contact us anytime. At Aloraircommercial, our professional team strives to offer the best experience for our visitors and customers.