Dehumidifiers must be set correctly to do their job.  Different humidifiers have different kinds of controls.

You’ll set your dehumidifier to different levels based on the purpose of the appliance.

Some dehumidifiers have a numeric dial or lever, usually marked between 1 to 10.

Start at level 5, wait for at least a day, and adjust up or down to find the perfect level for your comfort. (Read the rest of this article for important tips.)

Newer dehumidifiers have humidity settings so you can tell exactly what the level will be, after the dehumidifier has been running for at least a day.

If you need to prevent mold and mildew in a basement, you’ll probably use a setting around 40% to 60%.

If your dehumidifier is for comfort or to reduce your heating or a/c bills, you may want a setting slightly higher than 60% (in winter), or considerably lower (in summer).

Some dehumidifiers — especially the more expensive ones — can be set to turn on and off at a particular humidity level.

If you know your comfort zone, that can save you electricity and keep the air dry enough for your needs.  In fact, that feature can pay for itself quickly.

One of my favorite dehumidifiers has this feature, and it’s not going to wipe out your budget.  Even better, it can handle damp basements and it’s energy efficient, so it can save you money.

It’s the Frigidaire 70-pint dehumidifier.  It’s quiet.  It’s low-maintenance.  The dials and settings are easy to reach, and you can set it up with a hose so you never have to empty its water tank.

Different people have different comfort zones.  Someone used to Houston, Texas’s high humidity may feel comfortable at 70% to 80% humidity.  However, if you’re used to Salt Lake City’s dry air, you may feel muggy when the air contains 60% humidity.

Almost everyone will feel comfortably dry at 45% humidity, though someone from sultry Florida may think that’s too dry.

Between those two extremes, 60% to 70% humidity is comfortable for most people.  To save energy, start with a 70% setting on your dehumidifier, and adjust the dial after about 24 hours.

To help with allergies, you’ll probably start with 40% humidity.

Each time you make an adjustment, wait another 24 hours.  That’s how long it can take your dehumidifier to make a noticeable difference in air quality.

If your dehumidifier is set with a dial or lever adjustment read your user’s manual before making further adjustments.  Some dehumidifiers use 1 to equal the most humid level.  Others keep the air driest at level 10.

Most dehumidifiers turn themselves off — or operate as a fan — once the appropriate humidity level has been reached. They’ll automatically turn on again when the air becomes more damp.

Also, dehumidifiers turn themselves off when their water storage cup or bucket has reached capacity.  Larger dehumidifiers can usually be attached to a hose that empties into a sink or a drain, so frequent maintenance isn’t necessary.

If your dehumidifer has a small water storage cup, you may want to adjust your humidity settings so you’re comfortable enough, but not emptying the water daily or more often.

Then again, you may prefer a dehumidifier that can handle larger amounts of water, while keeping the air as dry as you like.

Click here for my favorite, the Frigidaire 70-pint dehumidifier at Amazon