Yes, you can use a dehumidifier and heating at the same time. They work well together: warm air can hold more moisture and cold walls cause condensation, while a dehumidifier removes moisture from the air. It is important to continue ventilating, because a dehumidifier does not replace ventilation.
Why combine dehumidification and heating?
In autumn and winter, a lot of moisture enters the home through showering, cooking, laundry, and even breathing. Cold surfaces, such as exterior walls and windows, cause that moisture to condense. Mould grows more easily there. GGD Leefomgeving therefore advises maintaining at least 18 °C during the day and 15 °C at night, because colder rooms have a higher chance of mould. Heating and dehumidifying therefore address two sides of the same problem: the temperature of the room and the amount of moisture in it.
What does Milieu Centraal say about dehumidifiers?
Milieu Centraal is cautious about this. On the page about ventilating your home, it states that dehumidifiers do not solve the real moisture problem and are not a replacement for ventilation. According to that page, they only work in small, sealed spaces without new moisture and consume a lot of electricity. That is an important caveat: therefore, use a dehumidifier as an aid, not as a solution for a home that is insufficiently ventilated.
How to combine them smartly
Set the heating to a reasonable temperature instead of very high, and let the dehumidifier run in the room where the moisture is. Close the windows and doors of that room while dehumidifying, so the machine does not dehumidify the outside air. In addition, ventilate briefly and effectively or leave vents open, so that the moisture actually leaves the house. Set a desired humidity level if your dehumidifier has that function, instead of letting it run continuously. In our article what humidity level to set on a dehumidifier, you can read what is common.
Also pay attention to the heat of the dehumidifier itself. A compressor dehumidifier gives off a little heat, which can make the room slightly warmer. You can read why that happens in why does a room get warmer when the dehumidifier is on. That is not a replacement for your heating.
How much electricity do they use together?
A dehumidifier does not run continuously at full power. For the Dynter DH251, 80 W is stated on the product page. Assuming 21 cents per kWh, the rate that Milieu Centraal also uses for its examples: 80 W for 8 hours is 0.64 kWh, so about 13 cents. Your own rate and running time determine the outcome. You can find more calculation examples in how much electricity does a dehumidifier use per day.
Direct answer: you can perfectly use a dehumidifier and heating at the same time. Heat the room to a reasonable temperature, dehumidify with closed windows and doors, and continue to ventilate as well, because a dehumidifier does not solve the cause of moisture.
The Dynter DH251 in practice
Product name: Dynter AirPure DH251 dehumidifier
Capacity: up to 900 ml per day
Water tank: 3800 ml
Suitable for: spaces up to 55 m²
Power: 80 W
Extra functions: timer from 1 to 24 hours, night mode with display off, safety sensor that switches off when the tank is full
Size: 24 × 13.4 × 37 cm, 2.51 kg
| Situation | Heating | Dehumidifier |
|---|---|---|
| Drying wet laundry in a room | Reasonably warm, not too high | On, windows and doors closed |
| Damp bedroom | At least 15 °C at night | During the day, then air out |
| Condensation on windows | Do not let the room cool down | Use briefly, plus ventilate |
When is it not enough?
If moisture keeps returning, there is often a cause such as insufficient ventilation, leakage, or cold bridges. A dehumidifier then only addresses the symptom. How to recognize that, you can read in dehumidifier against mould: solution or symptom management.
View the Dynter DH251 dehumidifier or look in the dehumidifier collection.
Frequently asked questions
Should the heating be turned off when the dehumidifier is on?
No. A reasonably warm room actually helps against condensation. Do not set the heating unnecessarily high.
Why does the room get warmer with a dehumidifier?
A compressor dehumidifier gives off heat during dehumidification. The effect is small and does not replace heating.
Can I combine dehumidification and ventilation?
Yes, and that is also the intention. Dehumidify with closed windows and ventilate briefly afterwards, or leave vents open for basic ventilation.
How long should a dehumidifier run at the same time as heating?
That depends on the amount of moisture. Use the timer or a set humidity level and see if the condensation on the windows decreases.