Where shall I place my dehumidifier around the house?
We get lots of questions asking us how to use a dehumidifier and where best to put it around the house. It’s best to place it somewhere central in the house, being sure to think about where your sources of moisture are. Moisture problems like damp and mould are typically likely to arise in the bathroom, where showers and baths create lots of steam. And so, it is best to position your dehumidifier on the landing. Here, the dehumidifier will create a dry spot; and as long as internal doors are kept open, any moisture from the bathroom or anywhere else in the house, will migrate here. The dehumidifier will draw in the moisture, turning it into water.
If the unit is set up in a relatively permanent position and if you do not wish to empty the tank manually, you could set up your dehumidifier with continuous drainage. When using continuous drainage via a hose on its own, the water is drained from the dehumidifier via gravity. This means the hose must go downhill, without any kinks or blockages, to allow the water to flow. Ensure the end of the hose is lower than the drainage port and the water can flow downwards into a sink or drain. Because of this, it can be best to place the dehumidifier on the kitchen side (to give it the height), next to a sink, so the hose can drain the water straight into the sink and down the drain.
If the hose can only go uphill, then you could install a water pump. If you want to learn how to install this, you can watch our YouTube video.
The beauty of Arete®
In general, dehumidifiers need to be about 30 cm away from the wall. And if positioned in a hallway, landing, or a flat or small house, that means it’ll be in the way. Very annoying.
But that’s the beauty of Arete®, as this is the only dehumidifier that solves that problem. Designed here in the UK, this machine has been made with British and European customers in mind. We know that you’ll probably place your dehumidifier in a landing or a hallway, so we have worked hard to engineer an appliance that doesn’t take up unnecessary space and becomes a nuisance to own. With Arete®, you can put it right up against the wall, and it will still do the job.
What target relative humidity should we set our dehumidifier to?
The optimum humidity for UK homes is between 50%rh and 55%rh. This is dry enough to remove condensation and prevent damp and mould issues, but not too dry that it would cause other issues such as dry, itchy skin and sore throats.
In colder months, some people may find this target isn’t low enough to reduce condensation on their windows. In these circumstances, the target humidity for your dehumidifier to reach can be reduced to around 40%rh.
But in general terms, aim for 55%rh. That’s what museums use when they’re looking after their collections; so, if it’s good enough for museums, it’s good enough for us.
Can I move my dehumidifier from room to room?
You can. However, it is best to keep your dehumidifier in one place. This is because the dehumidifier brings moisture towards itself, creating a dry spot in the process. Let it do the job by leaving it in one place, and leaving all internal doors open. Get used to bringing the laundry to the dehumidifier, rather than moving the dehumidifier to the laundry.
What about the filter?
The dust filter is very important as it stops dust and dirt from getting into the machine. It is extremely important to clean the filter on a regular basis. Without regular cleaning, dirt and dust will build up over time and stop air passing through it. When the air can’t pass through it, the machine starts to use more energy, so your electricity bill will go up. It will also cause the machine to make more noise. So it’s in your vested interest just to keep the filter clean.
If you’ve got a HEPA filter, when it turns from white to dark gray, it’s ready to be disposed of in the general waste. It may not sound very environmentally friendly, but the filter collects all sorts of bacteria, which no one wants entering the recycling system. To deal with it correctly, it’s best to dispose of it in the general waste.
Save money on your heating bill with a dehumidifier
Having a dehumidifier in the home turns all damp air into dry air, which is makes it far easier for your central heating system to heat your home. This is because all of the extra moisture in the air needs to be warmed up before you can start to feel warm.
A dehumidifier keeps the relative humidity in the house at a sensible level. It’s not too dry that it will cause you any problems, but at a level where you won’t get issues of damp mold and condensation and one that makes your heating system more energy efficient.
With a dehumidifier, you’ll start turning down your thermostat, and you’ll save money on your heating bill. Yet another benefit that comes from owning a dehumidifier.
We’d love to hear your ideas and questions, so please feel free to share them with us by leaving a message in the comment section below.
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89 responses
I have a two bedroom flat and keep my dehumidifier in the hall. I turn it around so the airflow isn’t restricted – is that OK or is there a reason to have the vent holes at the back against the wall?
Also, our humidity level is around 60% even with it running for most of the day and night – it’s regularly over 80% when I first turn it on. Is that normal? Should I be looking for leaks?
Many thanks!
Thank you for your enquiry. We recommend that the unit is placed with the dust filter pointing towards the wall. This is so that the drier air is flowing back out into the room. If you have one of our Arete’s this can be pushed against the skirting board. If you have one of our other units, please ensure there is a 30cm space between it and the wall.
When you first turn on the unit on, it will display a higher number whilst the fan runs to sample the humidity in the air. After a few minutes it will revert to the correct levels. Humidity levels fluctuate throughout the day, with cooking, showering and opening windows among a few of the causes. Therefore the unit will be working to maintain these to the target you have set.
To help prevent leaks, please ensure you keeping the unit clean and the filter dust free. This should be done a minimum of every 2 weeks. Further cleaning tips can be found in the instruction manual. Let us know if we can help further.