What Is the Best Humidity Setting for a Dehumidifier?

If your home feels humid or sticky, a dehumidifier can improve indoor air quality and enhance comfort, but it's important to get the humidity settings right to experience the benefits.

Not sure how to determine which setting is right for your home? We’ve got you covered with our guide to achieving the perfect humidity setting for any room, so you can get the most out of your dehumidifier.

Dehumidifier Humidity Settings: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?

The first step to determining the proper dehumidifier setting is understanding how your dehumidifier works. Dehumidifiers operate by removing water vapor from the air to keep your room dry. A fan draws in and traps moist air from a room, and coils inside the humidifier work to cool down the air. This process causes the moisture in the air to condense into water droplets that the dehumidifier collects in a bucket or drain hose. Then, the dry air is released back into the room. In this manner, dehumidifiers help regulate the moisture levels in a room.

The humidity setting that you should select depends on the humidity level of the room where the dehumidifier is located. In rooms that have high levels of moisture and humidity, such as basements, a dehumidifier will help regulate the humidity level to prevent mold and other bacterial growth. Your dehumidifier’s specific setting is important because if it is not set appropriately, your room may remain muggy or become too dry.

Optimal Dehumidifier Humidity Setting

So, what is the best humidity setting for a dehumidifier? To prevent mold growth and keep your home’s relative humidity at a comfortable level, we recommend aiming for 30%-50% humidity in your home. Ideally, that should equate to a dehumidifier humidity setting of around 40%, but you may wish to adjust it up or down to find the humidity level that feels most comfortable for your space and your household.

Now, you might be wondering: How do I check the current level of humidity in my room to make sure it is within the acceptable humidity range? Many dehumidifiers can read the current humidity level in a room automatically. If your humidifier is not equipped with a built-in humidity reading, you can purchase a standalone hygrometer.

How to Set Humidity on Dehumidifier

Setting the humidity level on your dehumidifier should be straightforward. Simply locate the humidity control buttons or dial. These should be labeled something like “Humidity Level” or “Dryness Setting” and use those buttons or dial to adjust the humidity level to your desired humidity.

Newer models will allow you to select a humidity percentage, while older ones may be more vague in their design. Should you have an older model, you may have to experiment with the settings low, medium, high, or a numbered scale to land on the right humidity level for your space.

Choose Aire Serv for all Your Dehumidifier Needs

Remember, relative humidity is a moving target. The weather, indoor and outdoor air temperature, even the amount of ventilation in your home has an impact on your home’s humidity level. If you’re having trouble striking the right balance for your home, your local Aire Serv^® is here to help.

Work with Aire Serv to find the right portable or whole-house dehumidifier for your home. Our technicians are equipped to determine a baseline for humidity in your home and help you find your optimal settings. Call (855) 679-0011 or request an appointment online to get started.

Could a leak in your foundation or roof be increasing humidity levels in your home? Check out these tips from our friends at Mr. Handyman^® to identify sources of moisture in your home. Like Aire Serv, Mr. Handyman is a member of the Neighborly^® family of trusted home service brands.