Definition
A whole-home dehumidifier is a ducted appliance, usually installed beside the furnace or air handler or in a basement or crawlspace, that pulls moisture from the air for the entire house and drains it away continuously. It runs on a humidistat independently of the air conditioner, controlling humidity when cooling demand is low.
Also called: Whole-house dehumidifier, Ducted dehumidifier
Why it matters to you.
Central Kentucky's humid summers and damp spring and fall shoulder seasons can leave a house feeling clammy even at a low thermostat setting, especially in basements and over crawlspaces. ENERGY STAR notes whole-home units are useful when humidity stays above 55 percent throughout the house, but they work best after air conditioner sizing, airflow and duct problems are fixed.
Practical guidance.
Homeowners can track indoor humidity with an inexpensive hygrometer in several rooms for a few weeks and share the readings. Sizing, ducting, drain routing and humidistat setup are licensed-contractor work, and the unit's filter and drain need checking at each maintenance visit.
About this definition
Written by the Feistritzer Heating & Air Conditioning team — family owned and operated in Danville since 1976, Kentucky HVAC license M02584. Definitions inform; a whole-system diagnosis in your home decides.