How to Use a Dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are designed to regulate the amount of moisture that is in the air of a given space. Read the owner’s manual. A collapsible dehumidifier to save space and dry your home. With a 4 Litre tank it costs less than 7c per hour to run, protecting health and furniture from mould and mildew.
Written by Stephanie Mitchell; Updated December 27, 2018
Related Articles
- 1 Troubleshooting Dehumidifier Failure
- 2 Set Fedders Air Conditioner 24 Hour On/Off Timers
- 3 The Best Way to Run an Air Conditioner
- 4 Troubleshoot a Bosch Nexxt 500 Electric Dryer
Dehumidifiers remove water vapor from the air to keep a room dry. In humid climates, they can improve your comfort in your home, help prevent the growth of mold and mildew, and protect books, pianos, wallpaper and other delicate items from moisture damage. The specific operating instructions for humidifiers vary by brand and model, so read the owner's manual to determine exactly how to set your machine. Most models are designed to be user-friendly, featuring a control panel with a dial to turn or buttons to press.
- Plug the dehumidifier into a grounded wall socket. On models that do not automatically turn on when you plug them in, press the 'On' or 'Power' button on the control panel.
- Locate a dial or a set of buttons labeled 'Dryness Setting,' 'Humidity Level' or something similar. Turn the dial to the right to increase the dryness and to the left to increase the humidity; press the 'Humidity Level' button repeatedly until the display indicates that the machine is set to your desired humidity. Remember that higher values mean higher humidity, not more power from the machine.
- Look for a button labeled 'Power Level,' 'Fan Speed' or something similar. Press the button repeatedly to cycle through the power options, from lower power to higher power. Select your desired power level. A higher level dehumidifies the room faster but is louder and uses more energy.
- Press the 'Time' or 'Timer' button repeatedly to preset a time of day for the dehumidifier to turn on, if your model has such a function. The timer cycles through the hours of the day as you push the button. Look in your owner's manual for additional details on setting the timer.
Tip
The Energy Star website recommends setting your dehumidifier to 30 percent to 50 percent humidity in warm weather and 30 percent to 40 percent humidity when you are running your heater. Hang a humidity measuring device, called a hygrometer, near the dehumidifier if the dehumidifier does not measure the humidity in the room.
Warning
Never use an ungrounded outlet for a dehumidifier. Follow all the safety instructions in the manual precisely. As electrical appliances that process water, dehumidifiers pose a risk of electric shock and fire when used incorrectly.
References (3)
- Haier: Dehumidifier Use and Care Guide, Model DE45EK
About the Author
Stephanie Mitchell is a professional writer who has authored websites and articles for real estate agents, self-help coaches and casting directors. Mitchell also regularly edits websites, business correspondence, resumes and full-length manuscripts. She graduated from Syracuse University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater.
Cite this Article Choose Citation Style
Mitchell, Stephanie. 'How to Set a Dehumidifier.' Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/set-dehumidifier-28325.html. 27 December 2018.
Mitchell, Stephanie. (2018, December 27). How to Set a Dehumidifier. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/set-dehumidifier-28325.html
Mitchell, Stephanie. 'How to Set a Dehumidifier' last modified December 27, 2018. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/set-dehumidifier-28325.html
Note: Depending on which text editor you're pasting into, you might have to add the italics to the site name.