2006-07-30 08:57:10 · 9 answers · asked by lala 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
My basement is very damp so want as much humidity out that I can get. There is no water to wade through, but is very damp
2006-07-30 08:58:24 · update #1
40% should be best. At this setting, mold and mildew growth is greatly reduced. 50% and above does nothing to stop growth.
2006-07-30 09:12:43 · answer #1 · answered by foy_d 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Mould grows at around 65% relative humidity so a healthy RH for a domestic situation would be around 40-55% subtracting an extra 5% of these figures for winter.
If your area is very damp then you should run the dehumidifier on its most powerful setting. This setting is typically called 'Turbo' or 'Laundry' mode. In this setting the dehumidifier often brings the RH down to 35% (depending on the type of unit of course). So you are correct in setting your dehumidifier to 35% RH, at least initially.
When most of the damp is gone you can turn the dehumidifier to its next powerful setting which will bring the RH down to around 40%-45%RH (again depending on the unit). When all the damp has gone you can set the dehumidifier to its normal setting which will give around 50% RH.
The best dehumidifiers turn themselves on/off automatically when the desired RH has been reached. For example in normal setting when the RH reached 50% then the dehumidifier goes to sleep. It might run for 5 minutes after a half hour to check the RH and if the RH is still 50% then the unit goes back to sleep. If the RH is over 50% then the unit will work for half an hour and check the RH again.
This type of machine can save you a lot of money as the dehumidifier isn't running all the time.
2015-07-21 16:58:51 · answer #2 · answered by byemould 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dehumidifier Settings
2016-09-30 11:33:41 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best range of relative humidity for human health is between 40-60%. 50% is optimum. If your basement is damp, believe me, that setting will cause it to run continuously. Mold requires a relative humidity of 65%-99% at the surface on which it grows:
http://healthandenergy.com/mold_prevention.htm
Have you identified the source of the moisture? That can be a complicated issue, and might be a good subject of another question.
2006-07-30 09:07:09 · answer #4 · answered by Elwood Blues 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have one in my basement and during the summer months I run it on high and it fills and I have to empty it every day, but I no longer have the musty smell. In the winter I run it at a lower setting.
2006-07-30 09:20:58 · answer #5 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my basement is very hot and dry , my dehumidifier is set at 50% is this to high
2014-11-01 09:42:47 · answer #6 · answered by kara 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
set it as low as possible for the first day, and use a fan to help with evaporation. 50 is a good goal, but 65 is acceptable
2006-07-30 09:03:52 · answer #7 · answered by wellaem 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
2015-05-01 22:57:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i used to do mold remedeation befor i was in the army so the more water you remove will be better for your helth and not to mention your helth but set it to its highest setting
2006-07-30 09:04:54 · answer #9 · answered by mattmetzger_a1 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋