Should I Run a Fan with a Dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier is an appliance used to remove moisture from the air. It collects air from the atmosphere in droplets, making it dry, cooler, and easy to breathe in. What about the ceiling fans if we have to buy a dehumidifier to have a cooler environment? 

This is the dilemma from where the question should I run a fan with a dehumidifier? Originates from. A dehumidifier and fan will work quite well because the dehumidifier will make the air damper. Then the fan will circulate this dry, cool air, which will decrease the temperature even further.

But there are some arguments against using both appliances together. So we have compiled a list of the pros and cons of their dual usage, so you can decide which suits you the best.

How Does Each Appliance Work?

Before we argue whether these appliances should be used together or not, we need to understand how they work.

Ceiling Fan

A Ceiling fan is attached to your ceiling and has an electrically powered motor inside it. Once it is turned on, the motor starts to rotate its wings very fast, and this rotation displaces the air. This displacement of air creates a breeze which has a cooling effect on the environment.

A Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier works like an exhaust fan. It sucks air inside and then cools it over a coil that is cooled by a refrigerating system. Once the air cools down, the moisture inside it turns into water droplets which dip into the bucket underneath.

Pros of Using Both Appliances Together

There are multiple upsides to using a fan and a dehumidifier together. A few major ones are mentioned below.

Cooler temperature

Let us start with the most obvious one. When a dehumidifier takes moisture out of the air, it becomes damp. The fan then uses this damp air to fan to create a breeze. Due to the low moisture levels, the breeze becomes cooler which lowers the temperature by 2 to 3 degrees. 

Air displacement

A fan circulates the air throughout the room. This circulation helps the dehumidifier because it can remove more moisture throughout the room and work more efficiently. The circulation also helps with keeping the air fresh and avoiding foul odors.

Avoids Dust

When both of these appliances work together, it increases air quality and airflow. Good airflow means less accumulation of dust particles inside your room. Thus fan and dehumidifier combo will help you with your allergies. 

Cons of Using Both Appliances Together

Even after mentioning all these upsides there are some people who when posed with this question, should I run a fan with a dehumidifier?  Give some arguments against it. Two of their significant arguments are increasing cost and noise.

Increasing Cost

As both of these appliances use electricity to operate, using them together might substantially increase your electricity bill. Also, the decrease in temperature is not a lot, so using both appliances at once may be unnecessary because the results will not justify the cost.

Too Much Noise

A dehumidifier in itself creates a quite noticeable noise. Pair it with a fan, and it can get a little annoying. Especially in small offices, it can be distracting. But in case you are using them in a bedroom or a basement, it will not be too bothersome.

See Also: Do Dehumidifiers Help with Allergies and Asthma?

Why You Should Always Run a Fan with a Dehumidifier?

Should you run a fan with your dehumidifier? That’s the question many homeowners have when it comes to using their machine, and there are certainly merits to both sides of the argument! If you’re wondering whether or not you should run a fan with your dehumidifier, here are some good reasons why you definitely should, as well as some reasons why you might want to skip it this time around.

No. 1 reason: Prevents Mold Growth

The most dangerous aspect of using a dehumidifier is mold growth. Mold can be extremely harmful to your health and even fatal. By running a fan while you use your dehumidifier, it will keep mold spores from building up in your home or office. This makes it safer for you to breathe and healthier for those living or working around where you’re operating your equipment.

Protects Your Furnace From Damage

Running a dehumidifier and fan simultaneously protects your furnace from damage. Without proper airflow, moisture can build up and cause rust inside your furnace. The condensation will also degrade your indoor air quality by releasing unhealthy pollutants into your home. In addition to protecting your home, running a dehumidifier with an exhaust fan is cheaper than purchasing two separate appliances. A single unit that combines both functions uses less energy and costs less money to operate.

Plus, it saves you space in your utility room or basement. When looking for a dehumidifier, look for one that has built-in vents or comes with a kit that allows you to hook it up to an existing vent system. It’s better for both you and your wallet if you purchase one unit instead of two. Even if it takes more time upfront, in the long run it’s worth investing in just one appliance rather than two. Plus, since there are fewer moving parts on these integrated units they last longer sometimes years longer than other units on the market today!

It’s more cost effective in the long run

If you run both a dehumidifier and a fan at full power, it will cost you about $0.75 more per day. That’s not much, but if you’re trying to lower your electricity bill in order to save money on your utilities, it’s worth considering. Running both will allow for quicker drainage of moisture from your home and eliminate any chance of mold or mildew growth within your walls or carpeting. Plus, using both means that you won’t have to worry about condensation building up on your windows or appliances.

It also ensures that air is being circulated throughout your entire home instead of just one room. This allows you to use less energy than if you were only running a dehumidifier without a fan because there will be better airflow throughout your entire home. In addition, running both can help reduce dust mites by drying out their habitat faster than if you were only using one appliance alone.

Protects Furniture

When you run your dehumidifier, you’ll still want to keep your windows open for ventilation. In doing so, however, moisture can be blown back into your room from outside. To combat that problem and make sure excess moisture doesn’t settle on your furnishings, use an exhaust fan to remove it before it comes back inside.

Better Moisture Control

If you’re in humid parts of North America, you probably experience problems with mold and mildew. Moisture control is critical when it comes to preventing these issues. A properly functioning dehumidifier will pull moisture out of your home’s air. It’s important to think about humidity in terms of percentages—anything above 50% should be treated as an issue that needs addressing.

Read Also: How Much Water a Dehumidifier Should Collect in a Day?

Wrapping Up

The counter-argument does have some valid points, but a fan is considered a delicate appliance meaning it does not consume much electricity, so using it with a dehumidifier will not make much difference in your bill, and the noise argument only applies under specific circumstances. We think these arguments are good enough to answer your question, “Should I run a fan with a dehumidifier?” and the correct answer is yes, you absolutely should.