Warm Up North-Facing Rooms with 'Damp Chill' Before Bed With a Dehumidifier, HVAC Pros Reveal
It'll boost your heating efforts and make your room feel cozier
North-facing rooms can feel perpetually chilly, especially during damp winter months. Even with the heat on, moisture in the air makes these spaces feel colder and clammy, leaving you reaching for extra blankets just to stay cozy.
Experts say the quickest way to solve this problem is surprisingly simple: A dehumidifier. By removing excess moisture from the air, they work to make your heating system more efficient without having to turn it up.
How a Dehumidifier Makes North-Facing Rooms Feel Warmer
To begin, it is important to note that even the best dehumidifiers do not make a room cooler or warmer. While they use fans, they are not designed to change the actual temperature of the room.
Rather, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air. As a result, the air is easier to heat, making it easier to keep a home warm all day while cutting energy bills.
Tamer Sayed, a heating expert and the owner-operator of Tamas Mechanical, explains, 'Drier air feels warmer than moist or humid air. During winter, turning on the dehumidifier helps the heater by removing the moisture in the air and the coldness that it brings. North-facing rooms receive minimal sunlight compared to others. They're colder and more humid as a result.'
When controlling humidity in a house, you want to aim for around 30-50% humidity. This will make a home feel warmer without turning up the heat, without your home feeling dry and without leaving your house open to the risk of mold.
When to Run a Dehumidifier to Help North-Facing Rooms Feel Warmer
Run the dehumidifier as you warm your home.
To create the perfect bedroom sanctuary in a damp-feeling north-facing room, run the dehumidifier for at least 30 minutes before you go to bed. This will help to remove the 'clammy' feeling while making the room feel warmer.
If you don't mind the low-level noise, it can also be helpful to run a dehumidifier as you sleep, so as to prevent mold. Use the built-in timers and humidistats on a dehumidifier to ensure it turns off before your room becomes too dry; however, to avoid irritating your airways as you sleep.
Otherwise, you should run the dehumidifier at any signs of damp, says Eli Zimmer, CEO at Luxaire HVAC Services. 'If your home has a lot of “damp chill” or you notice some condensation on your walls during the winter, a dehumidifier can help with that,' he explains.
It’s also worth noting that running a dehumidifier can complement other measures to improve indoor air quality. Opening windows briefly on dry days (known as shock ventilation), using extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens, and checking for leaks or damp spots can all work in tandem with a dehumidifier to create a healthier home.
What to Shop
This ENERGY-STAR rated dehumidifier is ideal for rooms 2,000 sq. ft and under, and has a built-in timer and humidistat for optimal control.
This compact and handy dual fan and heater is ideal for bedrooms, helping to boost comfort in winter and relieve heat in summer.
North-facing rooms are prone to damp and mold as they get less sunlight. These small moisture absorbers can help to limit condensation, especially on windows, to stop mold before it takes hold.
A smart thermostat can help you maintain a steady temperature in your home without constant monitoring. You can also set schedules around your routine so your bedroom will always be warm around bedtime.
Window film helps to keep heat inside your home and prevents cold air from getting in. It is ideal for adding extra thermal protection to your north-facing rooms in winter.
Distilled white vinegar is a fantastic non-toxic cleaning tool for any home. When used correctly, it can help to kill mold should it develop in north-facing rooms.
Meet the Experts
As the owner and lead project manager at Tamas Mechanical, Tamer oversees all aspects of HVAC design, installation, and service for residential and light commercial projects across the GTA.
Eli is the director of operations of Luxaire HVAC Services. For over 32 years, businesses across Long Island have relied on Luxaire HVAC Services for expert commercial heating, cooling, and indoor air quality solutions. They specialize in servicing, repairing, and installing HVAC systems tailored to the unique demands of commercial facilities.
A cozy bedroom also relies on the best bed sheets to make a bed feel luxurious. Paired with the chic hotel method, you'll never want to get up on chilly winter mornings.
