Central Alabama is no stranger to humid air for long periods of time. As Summer starts to wind down and the humidity returns to a more comfortable level, you might be wondering when is the right time to turn off your whole house dehumidifier for the season. Should you run your dehumidifier constantly? Douglas Cooling & Heating explains how your dehumidifier can help with your home’s indoor air quality and when you should run a dehumidifier to get the most out of it.
Monitoring Your Home’s Humidity Levels
Your air conditioner will help lower the humidity levels in your home, but in Alabama, where the humidity can be oppressive, sometimes your cooling system can’t keep up. This is when you might consider installing a whole house dehumidifier to make your home much more comfortable in the summer and help your air conditioner last longer. High humidity can cause damage to your home, encourage mold and mildew growth, and increase dust and allergy symptoms.
If you feel that you can’t find relief from the humidity in your home, test your home’s humidity levels with a hygrometer. For most homes, the ideal humidity level is less than 60% in the summer and 25-40% in the winter. Many programmable or smart thermostats can also give you a humidity reading of your home as well.
As temperatures begin to lower for the season, so will the relative humidity. Keep testing your home’s humidity level to see when it’s time to turn off your whole house humidifier for the season.
When To Turn Off Your Dehumidifier for the Season
Many dehumidifiers have an auto shut-off feature. You can set your dehumidifier to a desired relative humidity level and it will automatically shut off when that level is reached. This means you don’t need to have your dehumidifier running constantly throughout the year. Often, nightly temperatures at the end of summer will lower the humidity level down enough that your humidifier will shut off on its own.
When the relative humidity level in your home has reached the 30%-50% range, that’s when it’s time to turn off your dehumidifier for the season. You can set the humidistat to the “off” position, or there may be a damper that you can switch to the “winter” position.
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.
Maintaining Your Whole Home Dehumidifier
When you’re done using your dehumidifier for the year, it’s a good idea to wipe down all the surfaces of the dehumidifier to prevent mold and mildew growth. If you are unsure where your dehumidifier is, or how to turn it off for the season, the team at Douglas Cooling & Heating can help.
As part of your fall tune-up service, Douglas Cooling & Heating will prepare your entire HVAC system for the fall. This means cleaning your furnace, making sure it’s heating your home efficiently, and turning off your dehumidifier if you have one. It’s a good idea to schedule your tune-up service now before you turn on your furnace for the first time for the season. Talk to Douglas Cooling & Heating to schedule your appointment today.
Call Douglas Cooling & Heating to Prepare Your HVAC System For Winter
To learn more about excess moisture in your home and how to improve your indoor air quality, talk to the team at Douglas Cooling & Heating. We can assess your indoor air quality and find the perfect solutions that can help you breathe easily in your home. Schedule an appointment with Douglas Cooling & Heating today.
