5 Unhealthy Mistakes People Make With Dehumidifiers

Ask any allergist, and they’ll tell you: Excessively damp, humid air in your home is unhealthy.

Too much moisture can also cause issues in your house, including warping or cracking of wood furnishing and floors, growth of mold and mildew on carpets, and rusting on your toilet tanks and water pipes.

A dehumidifier can help you reduce dampness in the air, but it’s only effective if you use it properly. Here are five mistakes to avoid with a dehumidifier, plus three things to keep in mind before making a purchase.

1. Setting the Wrong Humidity Level

The best way to control the humidity in your home is by monitoring humidity levels through a reliable HVAC thermostat, says Anthony Carrino, celebrity home improvement expert and Trane Residential partner. You can purchase one at a home improvement store, and they range in cost from around $50 to $300.

Tip

A cheaper option than an HVAC thermostat is a hygrometer — a stand-alone device that measures humidity. You can find these for as little as $10 online or at your local drugstore. Tuck has one in various spots in her house, so she can routinely check the humidity levels.

2. Picking the Wrong Spot or Size

The basement is usually ideal for a dehumidifier because the humidity there tends to be the highest. “If you can reduce it there, then you can usually reduce it through your whole home,” Tuck says.

Another reason the basement is a good location is that it usually has a drain, allowing you to empty the dehumidifier easily. “You don’t want water to just sit there, since that in itself can breed mold, which can trigger allergies and other respiratory problems,” Tuck says.

Tip

To empty a dehumidifier, find the drain port on the back of the unit, unscrew the drain plug, then attach a hose and let it drip directly into the basement drain.

If you do opt to put your dehumidifier in the kitchen or bathroom, place your hygrometer elsewhere.

Most portable dehumidifiers have top-mounted air discharge and can be placed against walls. But if yours doesn’t, make sure to place it away from walls and furniture so that air can circulate freely around the unit.

3. Leaving Windows and Doors Open

Enclosing the space allows your dehumidifier to work more efficiently.

“If your dehumidifier is in your basement and you leave a window to the outside open in a region with high humidity, all you’re doing is pulling outside water into the house, which won’t help you at all,” Tuck says. It also allows outdoor allergens such as pollen or mold to trickle in.

4. Not Emptying It Regularly

Most portable dehumidifiers use a removable plastic bucket and have warning lights that indicate when the bucket is full and needs to be emptied.

There’s typically an automatic shutoff when the bucket is full, so you won’t have to worry about it overflowing, Tuck says. But if water is left in the bucket for a long period of time, it could cause mold to start growing on your dehumidifier. That could trigger an allergic reaction or irritate your lungs, even if you don’t have allergies, Tuck says.

If you have trouble remembering to empty it, consider a dehumidifier that allows you to hook a hose directly to the bucket. The hose can then be directed into a floor drain or sump pump, eliminating the need to empty it.

5. Not Cleaning It Often Enough

While your dehumidifier sucks moisture from the air, it’s also pulling in things like mold, mildew, bacteria, pollen, and dust. That means regular cleaning is a must. Make sure to drain and clean the moisture tray often to help prevent bacteria and mold buildup.

Most newer dehumidifiers have an indicator light that tells you when it’s time to scrub it down. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations in your owner’s manual.

When cleaning your dehumidifier, don’t forget to unplug it, and make sure to clean out all its parts, advises Tuck. Clean the dehumidifier bucket, air filter, and bucket filter with soap and warm water. Moisture from the air can build up inside these components, which can encourage mold growth.

After cleaning, let everything air-dry before starting the dehumidifier again. Also, if you can, vacuum out any residual grime with your vacuum’s small attachment.

Before You Buy a Dehumidifier

Here are some things to consider when choosing a dehumidifier:

1. Look for an Energy-Friendly Model

You can expect to pay about $10 to $15 a month to run a typical residential model, with many eating up over 1,000 kilowatt-hours of energy a year, says Shane Dutka, founder and general manager of Review Home Warranties, a website with information for homeowners about home warranties. But you can cut down on electricity usage and cost by investing in an Energy Star certified model.

2. Measure Your Space

Tip

When in doubt, go with the larger dehumidifier. You can always run it on a lower setting to reduce electricity usage and bring down your energy bills.

3. Make Fixes to Cut Down on Moisture

• Extend downspouts from your gutters away from your home’s foundation, and make sure both are clear and open.
• Make sure your clothes dryer is properly vented to the outdoors.
• Repair any leaking outdoor faucets.
• Use vent fans in your kitchen and bathrooms.
• If your house has central AC, install an AC vent in the most humid space in your home (usually your basement). This will help dehumidify and improve airflow between the humid and drier spaces.

The Takeaway

• Using a dehumidifier properly can help prevent allergies, respiratory and skin irritation, and home damage due to moisture.
• Regularly cleaning your dehumidifier and choosing the right location and settings will make it more effective.
• You can save energy costs when using a dehumidifier by closing windows and doors and choosing an Energy Star certified model.