Do Dehumidifiers Work In Florida?

Figuring out how to control the climate inside your home can be tricky sometimes. Do you live in Florida and want to try using a dehumidifier in your home but don't know if it will make a difference? Well, we've done our research and have the answer for you.

Although you shouldn't solely rely on one, using a dehumidifier in conjunction with your air conditioning is a great idea to combat Florida humidity. Most times, a whole home dehumidifying system will work the best to remove excess moisture from the air around you, but this can be expensive.

As we begin, we will cover all things dehumidifiers and discuss how to control the moisture inside your house. Whether you're new to Florida or just relocated within the state, we're here to offer some help. With that said, let's dive right into this post!

A white Dehumidifier placed next to the couch and the plant, Do Dehumidifiers Work In Florida?

Is It Possible To Dehumidify A Home In Florida?

Yes! It is possible to dehumidify your home if you live in Florida. Although this can be tricky, using a whole-home system or a few different dehumidifiers in your space is a great way to reduce the amount of moisture in your home.

A gorgeous Florida mansion with stucco sidings, clay shingle roofing and a beautiful front lawn

Even deciding to add a dehumidifier to your air conditioning system will help with the humidity in your house, so you've got a few options.

How Do I Dehumidify My House In Florida?

There are a few good ways to lower the humidity in a Florida home. Some of the top methods include:

  • Ventilating the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room.
  • Using fans to improve air circulation.
  • Drying your clothes and bedding outdoors.
  • Moving plants outside/covering their soil.
  • Using your air conditioner's "dry" setting.
  • Changing your air conditioner's filters monthly.
  • Installing a whole-home dehumidifying system.
  • Having a professional check your HVAC systems annually.

In general, it's best to keep as much moisture out of your Florida home as possible, so you may need to adjust your current routine.

What Should A Dehumidifier Be Set At In Florida?

Regardless of the season, it's best to set your dehumidifier between 45-55 percent. Of course, this won't always be the case, especially if it's incredibly humid outside, but aim for around 50% humidity.

According to the EPA, you want to keep your house below 60% humidity at all times. They also cover how once a home reaches 60% humidity or higher, it becomes more susceptible to mold, mildew, and pests, so it's best to keep your home's air as dry as you can.

Where Should I Place My Dehumidifier?

It's best to place a dehumidifier in rooms that tend to have the most humidity problems. These often include:

  • Bedrooms
  • Laundry rooms
  • Crawl spaces
  • Bathrooms
  • Kitchens
  • Indoor pool areas

Especially in Florida, you may need multiple dehumidifiers throughout your home, so consider the size of your space.

hOmeLabs Energy Star Dehumidifier

This dehumidifier is ENERGY STAR-rated, covers up to 4,500 square feet, holds 1.6 gallons, is quiet, and automatically turns off when full.

Check out this dehumidifier on Amazon.

Do I Need A Dehumidifier In Florida?

A white digital display Dehumidifier placed in the carpet

Although it isn't technically required, you want to use some kind of dehumidifying system if you live in Florida. Considering Florida's humidity levels regularly exceed 90%, keeping the air inside your home relatively dry can be a challenge.

On top of that, Florida's climate can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which are harmful to your lungs and health. Even using a portable dehumidifier in a few of the rooms inside your house will be beneficial, so we recommend doing this.

Will A Dehumidifier Cool A Room In Florida?

Unfortunately, a dehumidifier won't cool down a room in Florida. The same goes for any location, as a dehumidifier can only remove water from the air—it can't adjust the actual temperature.

That said, if it's colder outside, using a dehumidifier may help maintain your indoor climate, but don't solely rely on it. We recommend turning on your AC and a dehumidifier if you want to both cool and dry the air in your home.

What Is A Whole-Home Dehumidifier?

A whole-home dehumidifier essentially works with your AC to remove excess moisture from the air. Unlike a portable unit, a whole-home dehumidifier is installed with your other HVAC systems and is considered a more permanent solution.

One of the many benefits of having this type of dehumidifier in your home is that it removes water from the air year-round regardless of the humidity outside. Installing a whole-home dehumidifier may also relieve some of the pressure off your air conditioner, thus saving power.

How Much Does It Cost To Install A Whole-Home Dehumidifier?

You can expect to pay between $1,000-$2,000 to purchase an entire home dehumidifying system. That estimate doesn't include the additional $550-$650 for labor and installation, so this can be a costly process.

With that said, installing a whole-home dehumidifier won't usually take more than six hours and shouldn't be a difficult process, so your labor may be less.

Should A Dehumidifier Run Constantly?

A white dehumidifier placed on the side of living room

No, there isn't a need to run your dehumidifier constantly. Even in Florida, keeping your dehumidifying system on is not usually beneficial if the inside moisture levels are below 30%.

Although high humidity isn't great for breathing, low humidity levels can also have adverse effects. Once air drops below 30% humidity, your space becomes more susceptible to bacteria, mold, and dust mites, so try not to overdo it with your dehumidifier.

Veanic Electronic Temperature Humidity Meters

These electronic temperature meters measure the humidity in a space, have a built-in thermometer, Fahrenheit display, and come in a pack of four.

View these meters on Amazon here.

How Many Hours A Day Should A Dehumidifier Run?

Ideally, you want to run a dehumidifier for at least 12 hours per day. Although every home is different, a dehumidifier needs enough time to remove any excess water from the air.

Especially in tropical places, it's better to keep your dehumidifier on throughout the wettest times of the day, which typically are morning and night.

Should I Put A Dehumidifier In My Bedroom?

It's a great idea to try placing a dehumidifier in your bedroom. Having a dehumidifying system in your room can help improve your sleep and the air quality around you, which is always a good thing.

It's especially helpful to those with respiratory issues, like asthma, so if you or someone in your house suffers from breathing problems, it may be time to try a dehumidifier.

Where Should A Dehumidifier Be Placed In A Bedroom?

You want to keep a dehumidifier somewhere it can reach your entire bedroom. Giving your device enough clearance for airflow will improve how efficiently it works, so placement is key.

With that said, we recommend keeping your dehumidifier towards the center of your bedroom or near a window/moist area so that it can do its job correctly. Of course, your unit does need to plug into the wall, so even placing it on the floor nearby will work.

Pro Breeze Electric Dehumidifier

This dehumidifier covers up to 215 square feet, automatically shuts off when full, is quiet and holds 16 ounces.

Follow this link to see it on Amazon.

How Long Does It Take For A Dehumidifier To Dry Out A Room?

In general, you can expect a dehumidifier to start working after about 12 hours of being on. Of course, this depends on the moisture levels in the air and whether your system is working efficiently, but you should notice air improvement after a day or so.

A good thing to do while using a dehumidifier is to turn on the fans in your home to improve air circulation and close any windows/doors that could be allowing excess moisture inside.

Is Having A Dehumidifier Worth It?

Overall, having a dehumidifier is worth it. Using a dehumidifying system can make quite the difference, especially for anybody living in Florida or another tropical climate.

Not only will using a dehumidifier help remove excess moisture from your home's air, but it can prevent mold and mildew from growing in your space. Dehumidifiers can also help you breathe better through the night, which in turn gives you better sleep.

To Wrap It Up

A white Dehumidifier placed next to the couch and the plant

Whether you are from Florida or have just relocated, it's essential to know how to handle the humidity. Dehumidifiers will work in Florida weather and are a great way to improve your home's air quality.

When it comes to using one, it's best to keep your dehumidifier on for at least 12 hours a day or until your home reaches around 50% humidity. You may also want to try using a dehumidifier in your bedroom to help you sleep, but remember to keep it centrally located.

Regardless, it's always a good idea to test the moisture levels before turning on a dehumidifier, and remember not to keep yours on if it drops below 30% humidity.

Before you go, be sure to check out these helpful related HVAC posts below:

Window Air Conditioner Freezing Up - What Could Be Wrong?

How Long Does A Central Air Conditioner Last In Florida?

How Much Does It Cost To Run An Electric Furnace?

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