Can You Put A Dehumidifier Near A Furnace?

A dehumidifier's position in your house is crucial in its effectiveness at removing excess moisture in the air. If you're thinking of putting it near a furnace, you've come to the right page. We've looked into this to see if it is ideal, and here's what our research has found out.

It is not recommended to put a dehumidifier near a furnace or to use both appliances at the same time. It can make the air too dry, which causes other health concerns and household issues. The furnace can also dehumidify your home, which should be enough if your moisture issues are not too serious.

Keep on reading to learn more about dehumidifiers and why it is not advisable to use them near a furnace. We'll also talk about the best placement for your dehumidifier and at what temperature you should stop using it. Let's get started!

Should you put a dehumidifier by the furnace?

man changing water container air dryer

Too much moisture in the air is just as bad as having too little of it. It makes you feel uncomfortable all the time!

Mold, mildew, and bacteria thrive in moist environments and their growth can lead to a musty smell and unpleasant surface appearance, and will ultimately lead to damage or disintegration of the household materials where they can be found.

When there's higher humidity, those with asthma and allergies can also experience frequent attacks and worse symptoms such as itchiness, eye irritation, sneezes, and chest pain.

That's why many homeowners find dehumidifiers essential in removing excess moisture in the air. These devices suck the warm indoor air. When heat collides with a cooler surface of the coils inside the appliance, condensation happens. Water vapor is turned into water droplets. These drops are left in a storage tank inside these devices so that only the cooler air flows out of the dehumidifier.

Find this dehumidifier on Amazon.

Dehumidifiers are especially useful if you live in an area with high humidity. There are also certain portions of the house that are more prone to dampness and these are ideal locations for your dehumidifiers.

It is important to consider if you need a dehumidifier in your home and the best location where you should put it to maximize its performance and optimize the benefits that it provides to your home.

We've prepared the following guidelines for you.

Homes without Forced-Air Furnaces and No Moisture Problems

For those without forced-air furnaces and who don't have moisture problems, there's no need to use a dehumidifier together with your heater. Some say it will only make the air too dry which will make you uncomfortable and brings other health concerns such as dry skin, eyes, nose, and hair. It can also damage household items such as wood furniture, books, and other home decorations.

Using a heater and dehumidifier entails more energy consumption and higher electric bills when one of these appliances can already do the job for you. 

A heater makes your home warmer during winter. The higher indoor temperature now makes it possible for indoor air to hold more water. This makes your home less humid so there's no more need for a separate dehumidifier.

In other words, using them together or putting them next to each other is not recommended or practical.

Homes with Forced-Air Furnaces and Moisture Issues in Certain Areas

changing water container dehumidifier home dampness

For those with forced-air furnaces, you can put a dehumidifier in any part of the house that has vents and ducts connected to your HVAC. Processed air will travel through the ducts and vents making your indoor air less humid. Of course, choose portions of the house that are susceptible to moisture issues such as your basement.

Homes in Humid Climates

For those living in regions with a very humid climate, it is best to install a central dehumidifier or a whole-house dehumidifier to reduce the humidity level throughout your home. The dehumidifier will work side by side with your furnace and air conditioner to ensure that the humidity is between 45% to 55% only. This will make you feel more comfortable inside your home, reduce symptoms of asthma, allergies, and respiratory problems, and prevent moisture damage in your home stuff.

Installing a central dehumidifier is more practical instead of putting separate dehumidifiers in different rooms and turning them on and off one by one. It is also more convenient when it comes to care and maintenance. Since it is centralized, you only need to check one unit.

Homes without Moisture Issues

If your place isn't humid, there's no need to use a dehumidifier. Your heat pump or air conditioning unit can remove the excess moisture in the air to make you more comfortable. They almost have the same function of removing the heat from your indoor air. It's only when moisture levels get out of control that dehumidifiers are recommended since they have been specially designed to keep humidity under control.

Placement of a Dehumidifier

As we said earlier, the right position of your dehumidifier is key to its effectiveness. You must put it on a dry and level surface, but even then, it isn't just a matter of putting it on the first table that you see.

dehumidifier touch panel humidity indicator uv on the living room, Can You Put A Dehumidifier Near A Furnace?

Here are some points to consider when choosing the best placement for your dehumidifier.

Proper Airflow

A dehumidifier works by taking in air and removing its water vapor content before it releases the air back into your breathing space. As such, air must be able to flow in and out continuously without any blockage.

Make sure there's no large furniture around it otherwise the device will have limited space to work with.

Coverage Area

Dehumidifiers have different capacities. Check the product information regarding the floor area it can handle. If its capacity is too small for the size of the room, it won't be able to remove as much moisture as needed.

When you have a big room, it is best to position the dehumidifier at the center so that it can reach all corners from the same distance.

But when you're dehumidifying a small area, you can place it anywhere. Just take note of the clearance to give space for air to pass through it.

Connections

There are two connections that you need for your dehumidifier to work properly - the power outlet and the drain.

It is best if the unit's power cord can reach the outlet without any extension cord needed. It also shouldn't be in the way of people passing by to avoid tripping and breaking the device. It is also recommended that the dehumidifier has a dedicated power outlet to avoid overloading, especially when you're running the device for long hours.

Connection to the drain or at least easy access to it is also important. A dehumidifier stores water droplets and they'll accumulate over time. When the water tank is full, the dehumidifier won't work until you dump the water in the tank. Some units have a hose that leads to the drain while you have to remove the tank or drip pan for some units.

If the drain is far, there is a higher chance that you'll spill water on the floor or carpet. Aside from the hassle of cleaning, it can also cause accidents because the water on the floor can make it slippery. 

Operation and Maintenance

Of course, it's best to place the dehumidifier in a place where you can reach it easily or operation or cleaning.

Having easy access to the unit also makes it convenient to monitor its operation. You can see the humidity level and observe if something is wrong with its performance.

These are just some of the things that you need to take note of when choosing the best spot for your dehumidifier. With the right placement, it can significantly reduce moisture in your home and it is safer to use for everybody.

At what temperature should you not run a dehumidifier?

mans hand turning on dehumidifier entrance

There are certain conditions you need to be aware of when using a dehumidifier. Take note of the ideal relative humidity in a room. It shouldn't exceed 55% nor be lower than 45%. Air that's too moist or too dry can cause discomfort and bring about other problems in your home. It'll help if you have a hygrometer to help you monitor the humidity level in different parts of your home.

Check out this hygrometer on Amazon.

When it comes to indoor temperature, stop using your dehumidifier when it drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a way to protect your unit from damage. Remember, these devices contain water droplets on their condensing coils and tanks. At this point, water can freeze and this will damage the components of your dehumidifier.

Unplug your device, clean its parts, and dry it completely before you store it away for the winter.

Final Thoughts

dehumidifier touch panel humidity indicator uv on the living room

Understanding what dehumidifiers are for will help you find out if you need them in your home and where to put them so that you can get the most out of these devices. Using them together with your furnace isn't obligatory or needed, especially if you don't have a serious moisture problem at home.

If you found this article helpful, you might also like to read the following posts:

How To Drain Dehumidifier With A Hose

What To Set Dehumidifier At In Basement? (Summer And Winter)

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