During the summer months, many homeowners rely on their air conditioning (AC) system to cool down the home and remove the humidity from the air. While for many homes, the AC will be sufficient, for those in hot and humid climates, a dehumidifier can help carry some of the workload.

But, what is the best use of a dehumidifier in the summer months and how does it actually work to help cool your home? We share insight from our HVAC experts and their tips for the best way to use your dehumidifier in hot weather.

How a Dehumidifier Works

Let’s start from the beginning. While you may know that a dehumidifier does exactly as it says in the name, you may not understand how the process works. While it is a somewhat complicated system, the simplest way to explain is that warm, humid air is drawn into the unit by a fan where refrigerated coils pull the moisture out and release the dry air back into your home.

While there are more technical explanations, this general overview should give you a good idea of how a dehumidifier can help to reduce the humidity in your home while also helping you to feel cooler.

Types of Dehumidifiers

The two most popular types of dehumidifiers are portable and whole-home units. There are pros and cons for each type.

Portable units are less expensive, are mobile and useful in smaller, single-room spaces like a basement or even a garage. Whole-home units are installed near your HVAC unit, involve a larger up-front investment, but they increase the value of your home and, as the name suggests, dehumidify every room in your home.

Check out this related article: Do You Need Humidifiers, Dehumidifiers or Both?

How to Best Use Your Dehumidifier in Summer

Ideal Humidity Range

Because a dehumidifier removes humidity from the air, a dehumidified room at 78 degrees Fahrenheit can feel as comfortable as a humid room at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, with a whole-home dehumidifier, you can set your thermostat temperature higher and still be comfortable, while saving energy.

The ideal relative humidity level in a home is between 30 and 50 percent. However, in the hotter summer months (and if you live in a more humid climate) you will want to aim for the 50 percent range to maintain a manageable energy bill.

You may also like: Mold and Mildew Can Pose Health Risks

Mind Your Pints

Track the number of pints of water collected daily by your dehumidifier. The fewer pints collected, the less you need a dehumidifier to improve your comfort levels. If you are constantly refreshing your portable dehumidifier’s tank, you may need to purchase a larger unit or consider investing in a whole-home dehumidifier.

Proper Maintenance

Be sure to check and clean your dehumidifier’s filter regularly. If you live in a home with pets or an especially dusty climate, you will need to clean your dehumidifier’s filter more frequently.

If you have weighed your options and feel that a whole-home dehumidifier may be the best decision for you and your family’s comfort, call on the experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning to request an appointment.