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Dehumidifier settings should be changed for different places and situations.
From years of experience dealing with household dehumidifiers, I can tell you everything you need to know about humidity levels.
I will also explain what the relative humidity you want is, and show you how to set your dehumidifier up to achieve better results.
Key takeaways
Understanding humidity levels
Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air.
In my area, it gets hot and sticky in the summer months, and anyone who lives near the sea has probably noticed the air getting heavier.
This isn’t just because of the relative temperature, but because there are higher humidity levels.
Humidity is measured as the percentage of moisture in the air. This is sometimes described as relative humidity.
The higher the %, the more moisture is in the air and the higher the humidity in your home.
Why does relative humidity matter?
When the air is heavy with water vapor and high humidity it can impact our skin, hampering breathability, and even making it hard to sweat.
In fact, studies have shown that prolonged exposure to high humidity can have a really negative impact on our bodies.
Higher humidity from damp air can make your home and belongings damp. This humidity in your home can damage your belongings and even lead to mold growth.
In my home, this caused black mold spots on the walls and ceilings of my basement before I took steps to manage the humidity.
Low humidity and dry air can prevent mold from developing, but it can cause issues, too. It can dry your skin, irritate your skin, and generally make you feel really uncomfortable.
Here is a rough guide to help you understand the optimal humidity in your home:
Goal | Below 40% | 40% - 50 % | Over 60% |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for total home comfort | |||
Ideal for allergy sufferers | |||
Manage asthma symptoms | |||
Avoid respiratory illnesses | |||
Stop the spread of viruses | |||
Negate static electricity | |||
Discourage bacteria and mold growth | |||
Fight dust mites |
Dehumidifiers are used to help you reach and maintain the desired humidity in your home.
They regulate the relative humidity in your home by sucking in the fresh air, removing the moisture, and releasing it back into the room.
The dehumidifier humidity settings will determine exactly how much moisture it removes from the air.
Related article: Beginner's guide to understanding how dehumidifiers work
Dehumidifier setting options
I alter the settings on my dehumidifiers throughout the year as the humidity changes, but everyone will need to use a dehumidifier slightly differently.
Modern dehumidifiers allow you to change your settings which means you can program the dehumidifier to run until the room reaches a certain level of humidity.
Usually, there’s a display screen and buttons on the outside to program the appliance.
How does the dehumidifier know when the humidity level has reached the desired level?
Well, most dehumidifiers have a built-in humidistat. This measures the humidity levels periodically and it will turn on and off depending on the humidity setting which you’ve programmed.
Related article: My complete dehumidifier buying guide
What impacts the optimal dehumidifier humidity setting?
Current humidity levels
The higher the relative humidity, the more damp air your dehumidifier has to deal with. You may need to adjust your dehumidifier humidity settings down to compensate.
Weather and climate
You may need to change your dehumidifier settings throughout the year to adapt to the climate. I have very humid summers where it feels wet outside so I adjust your settings to extract more moisture. You may need to do the same where you live too.
Ventilation
Ventilation usually reduces indoor moisture levels and relative humidity. Here is a rundown of how the most common settings fare in areas that lack ventilation:
Related article: What should the humidity level be in my crawl space?
What should I set my dehumidifier to?
Your optimal dehumidifier humidity setting is almost always 40-50%.
To an extent, the dryness setting comes down to personal preference, but keeping it around this level will prevent mold growth and leave you feeling most comfortable.
The location you place your dehumidifier will have an impact on the dryness setting you use.
It’s about finding the right balance, and here’s a breakdown of the preferred dehumidifier settings for different situations or places:
The ideal dehumidifier setting for basement
Basement dehumidifiers should be set to around 40-45% RH. Basements generally have little ventilation and higher levels of humidity than other parts of your home.
This makes them more susceptible to mold growth which can damage your home and spread into the foundations.
ACLAB Note:
Your basement generally isn’t a space that you’ll spend a lot of time in, so comfort isn’t as much of an issue. You can keep it as dry as possible since a dry basement can help the entire house.
I primarily use my basement for storage and aim for 40-50% humidity, but anything under 60% should keep mold in check.
Crawl space humidity levels are generally slightly higher, up to 65%, because crawl spaces are not insulated like basements. For this type of setup, it's often best to use a model with a continuous pump or a long gravity drain line.
Related article: Most recommended crawl space dehumidifiers
Ideal dehumidifier setting for living spaces
The optimal dehumidifier humidity setting for living spaces is 40-50%.
In the summer months, I aim for 35-40% humidity so it’s more comfortable, but it depends on your personal preferences.
Living rooms are more likely to have ventilation which will help to regular the humidity level to an extent, but if you let the air become too full with water vapor then it can lead to dust mites.
By keeping the humidity level under 50%, you’ll suffocate the dust mites (and some other micro-organisms), preventing damage to your sofas or cushions.
Just remember that the humidity level in living areas will have an impact on your personal comfort, so you may choose to experiment with different humidity settings to see which works best for you.
Perfect bedroom dehumidifier settings
Always aim for a relative humidity of under 60% in the bedroom for a proper night's rest with your quiet dehumidifiers.
If the humidity rises above that point then the excess moisture can become uncomfortable. If the humidity drops below 30-40%, then it can make irritate your skin and throat.
Related article: Whole house dehumidifiers
Optimal laundry room dehumidifier settings
Laundry room dehumidifiers operate to help dry out your clothes and they should be set to 30-40%. This will dry the air and keep dust mites and other pollutants out of the air around your clothes.
Drying your clothes with a dehumidifier can be a cost-effective way to reduce your energy bills over a standard dryer, as well.
Dehumidifier setting to tackle mold
Keep your dehumidifier at 30-50% to deal with mold. This will kill the mold from forming and improve the overall air quality so it can’t return.
Hot and damp climates suffer more from mold, so you may need to adjust the settings depending on the environment around you.
Related article: Top-rated dehumidifiers for water damage and flooding
Ideal dehumidifier setting for winter
Cold air doesn’t contain as much moisture as warm air, so you can set your dehumidifier to 50-60% over winter, or in many cases, store it away.
This will keep the moisture from gathering on surfaces in your home and damaging your belongings, but won’t dry out the air around you. It should also prevent any mold from developing.
Refrigerant dehumidifiers are susceptible to freezing in cooler temperatures, so make sure you’re cleaning and maintaining them properly, especially if they’re placed in a cold basement.
I usually check my dehumidifier every two weeks over winter to check for any ice buildup on the compressor.
Related article: Dehumidifier icing up?
Dehumidifier settings chart
Type of Location or Purpose | Ideal humidity (%) | Indications |
|---|---|---|
Basement | 40% | Less ventilation keeps the air stagnant. 40% humidity emulates natural conditions |
Living spaces | 45% | Even favorable airflow can cause dust mites. Keeping humidity levels a bit higher can avoid that. |
Mold prevention | 35% | The more moisture in the air, the more mold will grow, especially in a tropical or wet region. Hence, humidity levels should be kept very low. |
Winter season | 50% | Winters are already dry; however, to prevent dust mites and avoid mold, a higher level may be required. |
How to set the dehumidifier correctly?
- 1Choose the right location
Air should be able to enter and also leave seamlessly. Place the dehumidifier at least three feet away from furniture or walls. - 2Set up the drainage system
Your dehumidifier can either have an internal reservoir that needs emptying or a water drainage system facilitated with an outlet hose.
- 3Set your ideal level
Once all is set up, you need to tinker with the dehumidifier to see what humidity level fits you best. Check the owner’s manual if the control panel isn’t clear. Here's a table of how to choose your humidity level by specific goals:
Goal | Below 40% | 40% - 50 % | Over 60% |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for total home comfort | |||
Ideal for allergy sufferers | |||
Manage asthma symptoms | |||
Avoid respiratory illnesses | |||
Stop the spread of viruses | |||
Negate static electricity | |||
Discourage bacteria and mold growth | |||
Fight dust mites |
FAQs
Should you leave a dehumidifier on all the time?
You don’t need to run a dehumidifier nonstop. Just let it cycle until your set humidity is reached, since the best time to run a dehumidifier is when moisture levels are high.
Related article: Cost to run dehumidifiers
When should you turn off your dehumidifier?
You should turn the dehumidifier off when it reaches the desired level. Most dehumidifiers come with a built-in humidistat which will tell you the humidity, but you can also buy a separate device to measure the humidity if needed.
Should I run my dehumidifier on low, medium, or high?
If you’re dealing with a lot of humidity then you should use a medium or high setting. If the relative humidity is low then you should use a low setting.
Always align the usage to the task at hand, but keep in mind that some brands only offer two speeds.
What is the best temperature for a dehumidifier?
Most home dehumidifiers are limited to a working range of about 41-95 degrees Fahrenheit, with performance being most efficient in typical room conditions.
