Turning Off Your Dehumidifier
Your whole-house dehumidifier has worked in tandem with your central AC all summer to keep your New Jersey home cool, comfortable, and at the right relative humidity level. When summer ends and the focus shifts to home heating, it’s time to turn off your dehumidifier for a few months.
It’s easy to forget this task since a whole-house dehumidifier runs automatically with no attention needed from you. However, turning off your dehumidifier for the winter helps you save money by preventing the equipment from running unnecessarily.
After all, your home stays more comfortable in the winter if the relative humidity is a bit higher. Since cold winter air is naturally drier than summer air, a dehumidifier is unnecessary in winter.
Follow these steps to turn off your whole-house dehumidifier for the winter:
- Set the unit’s built-in humidistat to the “off” position or the highest percent of relative humidity possible to prevent it from running. If you can’t locate the humidistat, look in the return air plenum above or near the unit. It might also be installed on the wall near your thermostat.
- Close the bypass duct damper or switch it to the “winter” position. Be aware that not all whole-house dehumidifiers have a damper. If yours does, it will be in the round duct connected to the unit.
- Clean and dry all surfaces of the dehumidifier to prevent mold and mildew growth. This makes for a more seamless setup next spring when you turn your dehumidifier back on.
If turning off your dehumidifier sounds like too much of a hassle, ask one of our technicians to complete the job while we’re performing fall furnace maintenance! We’ll make sure your dehumidifier is set up for hibernating all winter.
Contact Arctic Air Conditioning or call 732-455-9110 today for more useful heating and cooling tips or to schedule services for your NJ home.
When Should I Turn Off My Dehumidifier?
A humidifier works by adding moisture to the air as it passes through the HVAC system. A dehumidifier works in the opposite way. As the air flows through the system, it passes through a special filter that pulls water from the air before it’s allowed to flow back through your home.
Many HVAC systems come equipped with a humidifier/dehumidifier. By having a humidifier/dehumidifier, your comfort is more manageable. Moisture in the air improves overall air quality and can improve your comfort as temperatures begin to drop.
However, too much dehumidification can do more harm than good. So, when do you turn off your dehumidifier? Knowing the proper humidity levels is key. When the relative humidity (RH) drops below the 30%–50% range, you should immediately switch off the dehumidifier. The ideal relative humidity for comfort and well-being is 45%.
Humidity helps maintain comfort and indoor air quality. It lets you feel more comfortable in the winter and keeps debris and airborne contaminants out of the air in your home.
Do All HVAC Units Have a Dehumidifier Feature?
No. If you aren’t sure your HVAC unit has a humidifier or dehumidifier, call the professionals at Arctic Air Conditioning. They can describe your HVAC unit’s features and how you can benefit from each one.
Can I Have the De-Humidifier Turned Off During Regular Maintenance?
Yes. Schedule your regular maintenance checks at the right time of the year, and the HVAC professionals at Arctic Air Conditioning will turn your dehumidifier off when they visit. Regular maintenance is essential to keep your HVAC system in good working order and operating at maximum efficiency.
Call Arctic Air Conditioning Today!
Need help with your dehumidifier? Call the professional technicians at Arctic Air Conditioning to learn more about how your dehumidifier functions.
Professionally trained technicians are available to help you keep your home as comfortable as possible. By having HVAC professionals work on your system, you keep your warranties in place and have the peace of mind that your unit will continue to function as efficiently as possible.
