Dealing with summer heat is extra awful when trying to
get a good night's sleep. Rather than suffering through the warmer months, use
a few appliances to keep your bedroom at a cool, comfortable temperature. This
includes utilizing a dehumidifier, which will not alternate room temperature
but will remove humidity. Since sticky, sweaty humidity can make a hot day even
worse, a dehumidifier is an excellent option when combating unpleasant room
temperatures. Dehumidifiers dry out a room and therefore reduce the possibility
for mold and mildew growth in addition to making the room more comfortable.
Run an air conditioning unit, such as a window unit, in
the bedroom. If possible, use the unit's timer system so it turns on to cool
the room before you get home, as turning the unit down to its lowest possible
temperature setting will not help the room become cooler faster. Keep the air
conditioner in a window that does not receive full sun so the unit doesn't have
to work as hard and therefore expend more energy.
Set up your dehumidifier in the middle of your bedroom if
possible, preferably when you are not going to be using the bedroom for a
period of time. Follow the appliance's manufacturer instructions for set up to
avoid any problems. Close all bedroom doors so both appliances can work more
efficiently. While you can keep bedroom doors open to cool other rooms in the
home, neither unit can provide optimal room temperatures as they have to work
twice, if not three times, as hard.
Turn off your dehumidifier when sleeping or hanging out
in your bedroom for extended periods of time, as dehumidifiers are drying
agents that can also dry out your skin and hair. Keep the air conditioner on,
if desired, just on a higher setting so it can turn off as needed and therefore
remain energy-efficient.
Maintain both units as needed. Remove each appliance's
filter at least once a month and wash them to keep the units running
efficiently. Empty your dehumidifier's water reservoir when full. Most
dehumidifier models shut off automatically when the water reservoir is full.
Things You Will Need
· Window air conditioning unit
· Find the right
dehumidifier based on the square feet of your bedroom. For example, a room that
is 500 square feet will require a dehumidifier that will remove 1.6 to 1.8
gallons of water per day in damp and wet room conditions, respectively.
· Purchase a dehumidifier
that will do well in your region's temperatures. For example, low temperature
dehumidifiers are used in temperatures of 65 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Most
standard dehumidifiers work best when temperatures are 70 degrees or higher and
reduce the room's humidity by 35 to 40 percent.
· Prevent your
dehumidifier from "icing up" by increasing the room's temperature or
moving the appliance to a higher, and therefore warmer, location.
