Will using a dehumidifier warm the air and reduce the cold damp feeling in winter?

GValue

I'm considering using a 260 watt Inventor EVA ION PRO Wi-Fi 20L Dehumidifier over winter to reduce the condensation caused by breathing, showering and cooking.  Will using a dehumidifier warm the air and reduce the cold damp feeling in winter or is it a false economy?

MattMattMattUK

GValue said:

I'm considering using a 260 watt Inventor EVA ION PRO Wi-Fi 20L Dehumidifier over winter to reduce the condensation caused by breathing, showering and cooking.  Will using a dehumidifier warm the air and reduce the cold damp feeling in winter or is it a false economy?

Using a dehumidifier will reduce humidity, how much depends on the model, source of moisture, ambient temperature, etc. Dehumidifiers do generate some heat, a 260w dehumidifier will generate 260w of heat at full draw but it will only draw that much when the compressor is running. It will reduce the damp feeling in the air, air with a lower humidity is also much more economical to heat. Whether it makes that much difference depends on the humidity level within your home in the first place.

GValue

@MattMattMattUK Thank you  Ive been monitoring the humidity levels over winter as it's running around 65-70% across the winter, 

MattMattMattUK

GValue said:

@ MattMattMattUK Thank you  Ive been monitoring the humidity levels over winter as it's running around 65-70% across the winter, 

At what temperature? Humidity is relative so by raising the temperature you will lower the humidity and vice versa. Is it condensing?

You do not want to take the humidity level below below 30%, 40-50% is probably a better target and you will get diminishing returns as the humidity drops. 

You mentioned humidity from showing, is your bathroom ventilated?

dunstonh

GValue said:

@MattMattMattUK Thank you  Ive been monitoring the humidity levels over winter as it's running around 65-70% across the winter, 

That seems high.   You normally look for a 45-55% range.   
65-70% would be at risk of damp

GValue

It's normally 65-70% at 18-20c and below and feels damp sometimes.

The bathroom ventlation is limited, so that may need an update.

Swipe

dunstonh said:

GValue said:

@MattMattMattUK Thank you  Ive been monitoring the humidity levels over winter as it's running around 65-70% across the winter, 

That seems high.   You normally look for a 45-55% range.   
65-70% would be at risk of damp

Relative humidity depends on temperature. You can't just quote figures saying it's high without it.

Mstty

I may be wrong but you need some heat already for a dehumidifier to work at its optimum.

If you are replacing hearing just with a dehumidifier then no I don't think it will work well.

Swipe

Mstty said:

I may be wrong but you need some heat already for a dehumidifier to work at its optimum.

If you are replacing hearing just with a dehumidifier then no I don't think it will work well.

That is true with compressor based humidifiers. They become inefficient below 12C whereas the desiccant types will work down to freezing point.

GValue

@Swipe @Mstty Hopefully, the house doesn't fall below 12c, so it should have some heat to work on. :-)

Swipe

GValue said:

@Swipe @Mstty Hopefully, the house doesn't fall below 12c, so it should have some heat to work on. :-)

Even if it does, it will still collect water just not as much.