Can You use a Heater and Dehumidifier at the Same Time in the Same Room?

The battle against mold and dampness on the walls in our home is not one that is fought halfheartedly. These stubborn home invaders accompany moisture and are often the unhealthy reminders that we need to install dehumidifiers in our homes.

On the other hand, it may just be really cold during the winter and you need to warm up your home for comfort, using a heater.

But is it wise to deploy both appliances together, and at the same time? Are there any health or mechanical repercussions of running both heater and dehumidifier together? This and many more are what we attempt to uncover in this post.

Can you use a heater and a dehumidifier in the same room?

Yes, you can. When we consider our physiology and operation as humans, it is easy to understand why we produce moisture at an alarming rate. This is why any room crowded with people is always humid and uncomfortable.

But, just because our bodies are 60% water, doesn’t mean our homes should become moist environments. There is absolutely no advantage of living in a humid environment.

This is where appliances like dehumidifiers come in. Dehumidifiers often act like vacuum cleaners. They suck in air from one end of the device, eliminate the moisture in the air and then release dry air back into the room. Other types of dehumidifiers eliminate moisture by refrigeration.

Heaters are generally used on cold days during the thick of the winter season to bring the temperature up. There are people who have also used it to eliminate moisture from the air on rare occasions.

Heaters heat up a room by converting electricity into heat with the help of a heating element. When current activates the heating element, the coils of the heating element begin to get hot.

This continues till the heating element becomes hot enough to warm the entire room. Logically, an increase in temperature may lead to a decrease in humidity.

Utilizing a heater and a dehumidifier in the same room will cause an elevated temperature and an extra drying out of the air in the room, which some say may be detrimental for furniture, clothes and books.

Using the two appliances will ultimately dry up the air and cause heat in any room where they are used. For humid areas, they actually do an excellent job in providing comfort, despite the resultant heat produced.

Can you use a dehumidifier and a heater at the same time?

Again, you can but you should not. If the goal is to dry out the air in the room and make it more comfortable, then you can use both of these devices.

Although it may eliminate moisture faster, the consequence will slowly edge into discomfort.

Running the heater while the refrigerant dehumidifier is on will definitely assist in the pulling out of water in the air, and also improve the overall efficiency of the device because it is much easier to eliminate moisture from the air with refrigerant dehumidifiers when it is warmer.

As for desiccant dehumidifiers, they do not require heaters to be on at the same time.

They operate more efficiently at significantly lower temperatures and as such is the best bet for locations with colder temperatures like cellars and garages.

Important things to note if you decide to use dehumidifier and heater at the same time

As the summer season kicks into full gear, you may want to fully equip yourself as much as possible against condensation and moisture.

You may be tempted to run a dehumidifier and a heater at the same time, and we completely understand. However, before you begin, there are a few key things you must prioritize. They include:

1. Check and replace the filters

While this may seem basic, I assure you it is absolutely necessary. Before you begin eliminating moisture in your room with both dehumidifier and heater, you need to inspect the filters for dirt, damage or clogging.

A good filter implies breathable air and as a result, prevention of respiratory problems. However, these filters do more than just trapping dust particles, allergens, and debris in the air, they also improve the efficiency of your appliances.

This means they will help you achieve dry, comfortable air faster. After working for a while, these filters may become damaged as a result of wear and tear or clogging.

Check the filters to be certain they are dirt-free and not damaged, if they are, you need to wash or replace them.

2. Ensure there is proper ventilation

There are a lot of things that can go wrong when there isn’t adequate ventilation. But relating to running your dehumidifier and heater together, you must ensure there is a proper circulation of air; moist, warm air goes out, while fresh drier air comes in.

This will help both the dehumidifier and heater to function maximally. Be sure there are no furniture blocking air vents and ducts.

Also ensure there are no leakages in the duct as this may prevent air from flowing as it should in your home. You may leave your doors and windows shut, however, for optimal results.

3. Protect your valuables

Over-drying the air in your room can have severe consequences on your valuables like books, furniture, magazines etc., You must ensure that these valuables are either kept in a different room or are insulated for their protection.

4. Make sure your systems are regularly serviced

Although this may feel like something you would do naturally, it is a part of running home appliances that many people take lightly.

Regularly invite professionals to inspect the overall working capacity of both the dehumidifier and heater to avoid the appliances malfunctioning or accidents as a result of overheating.

A seasoned professional will inspect and clean the technical parts of your appliances and offer deducted suggestions on necessary upgrades, repairs to be made and tips on how to improve results.

Although upon consideration, this may seem like an unnecessary expense, it is worth every penny, as it could save you from much costlier expenses.

5. Select a good spot to install both dehumidifier and heater

For appliances as important as these, you can not just place them anywhere. As we have earlier addressed, they require a suitable vantage point that will give them uninterrupted access to the rest of the room.

Be sure to create enough space for both the dehumidifier and the heater to work effectively and ensure they are not placed oddly close to each other.

This is also very important because unless there is ample space around the dehumidifier, the air quality will not improve.

Benefits and Drawbacks of using a heater and dehumidifier at the same time

As with everything else, whatever has a good side tends to also have an unpleasant side.

Benefits:

There are several benefits to using both the dehumidifier and heater together to serve one or more purposes.

• Both dehumidifiers and heaters work their money’s worth seamlessly in winter seasons.
• They provide warmth as well as promote healthy living. To guarantee a healthy and comfortable environment, dehumidifiers and heaters are vital, especially if it is a very humid season.
• These appliances help in battling mold and respiratory difficulties.

Drawbacks:

Some of the drawbacks are listed below:

• Neither the dehumidifier nor heater can properly address the source of the dampness or moisture, only it’s uncomfortable symptoms which we may feel. If the source isn’t rectified, the dampness will continue, and eventually lead to mold.

• These humidity eliminating devices may successfully reduce moisture in the atmosphere, but may not be able to undo the effect the moisture has caused to sensitive materials like wallpaper, furniture, home appliances, etc.

• While running just a dehumidifier may not be so noisy that it disrupts sleep, running both a dehumidifier and a heater at the same time may raise the decibel levels in your bedroom. If you’re like most that need silence to enjoy your sleep, you may find this bothersome.

• Running both devices may raise the electricity bill to the roof, which may not be so economical especially if you leave them on overnight.

Final Comments:

If you are comfortable with the exorbitant electric bill you may incur at the end of the month, and consider it a small price to pay to keep your home healthy, then go ahead and select the most suitable dehumidifier and heater to make your home more comfortable.

Also, if your goal is to achieve a warmer room as the device eliminates moisture, then employing the help of just the dehumidifier may not be sufficient. You will need to pair it with your trusted heater. Whatever the case, ensure you look up reviews and go for only the best products on the market.