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If you have heard a lot of cool things about AC dry mode (and you might even have tried it out and got impressed), then you may be tempted to run it all day long.
But should you?
Below we answer the question “can I use dry mode all day?” before answering a few other vital questions about the dry mode in AC
Can I use dry mode all day
Well, No.
Allow me to explain: While it won’t damage your AC, it is highly unlikely for the temp to remain the same all day so just use it when the house feels unpleasantly damp/sticky(hours when it’s quite humid)
Can I use dry mode all day [and other dry mode in ac questions answered]
Can I use dry mode all day
Well, No.
Allow me to explain: While it won’t damage your AC, it is highly unlikely for the temp to remain the same all day so just use it when the house feels unpleasantly damp/sticky(hours when it’s quite humid)
Please read on for more answers regarding using dry mode in ac including how it works, when to use it, and even how it differs from cool mode.
How does dry mode work?
Dry mode typically runs the AC fan at a lower speed (just slightly) so the air gets more contact with cold coil hence more humidity is pulled out there.
In other words, dry mode objective is to dehumidify the room (to a limit- it was never intended to get rid of all the moisture).
How does dry mode differ from cooling mode (dry mode vs cooling mode)
Here’s an interesting fact:
There’s not much noticeable functional difference between dry mode in your AC and cool mode.
Let me explain:
Dry mode dehumidifies by primarily condensing water(from the room air)- and it only does that by effectively cooling the air and this air will go back into the room.
Put another way, the AC will still be drawing warm, moist air(obviously over cold coil) and the moisture then condenses out on_to the coil and then goes out the drain.
Keep in mind that since the fan runs slower, cooling effect is somewhat more localized around the cold coil rather than in the room(the effect is not getting pushed out there).
But yes, the room will feel cool.
To be clear, the main point of separation between the two modes is the target and point of regulation.
You see, while cool mode works hard to regulate the room temperature to the temp you have set (it runs until your wanted temp is reached and then maintained at that point), dry mode records the start temp and makes a decision when to cycle off and how long it’ll run.
And that makes it a nice way to reduce energy usage primarily because it runs a little less(compressor goes OFF occasionally along with circulation fan but exhaust fan continues to run).
But it’s worth mentioning that you can achieve the same power savings by setting your AC to a higher temp say 26 or 27 if the ambient temperature is 30c instead of setting it to 18.
So use dry mode but with a higher temperature setting-you can adjust it until the hygrometer shows 55-65% humidity.
That way, your room will not only feel cool but also very comfy.
Simply put, there’s no need to get down to 22°c to begin there as it will likely cause you more problems due to the bigger temp-difference.
Dry Mode Vs Cool Mode Power Consumption (does dry mode save electricity)
It is estimated that dry mode can save power usage by up to 50% depending on the conditions – recall that the main cause of the savings is the fan running slower and the air con cycling off sometimes.
But to be honest, it all comes down to the unit (brand and model) and how de-humidification is set up.
How long should you long dry mode ac (how long to use dry mode in ac)
Well, it’s recommended you run it for 2 hours max.
Why?
Because running it all night and day (to save energy usage) can lead to extremely dry air –which is also quite uncomfortable- since it might end up removing all humidity(in the room)
In fact, running dry mode 24/7 in a closed house can be terrible for your health (and that of your pets). You can, for example, feel your throat get pretty dry and irritating.
Of course, keeping humidity around 50-60% is the goal because lower humidity equals more comfort for the room occupants (lower humidity helps prevents mold too).
And more comfort allows you to remain relatively cool even with a higher temp setting- recall dry mode just brings down the relative temp your body feels as a result of the reduced humidity(there’s no real cooling).
When is it best to use Dry mode?
It is best to switch to dry mode when the outside temp is quite low meaning you don’t need much cooling.
Otherwise, go to cooling mode when it’s steaming hot outside as you want actual cooling and not just to feel cool (cooling mode is certainly even faster to cool down your space)
When should you not use dry mode?
As mentioned, dry mode is custom engineered for days when the temp is cool to moderate outside but there’s high humidity (cool,wet/rainy days)
The good thing is that you’ll never worry about setting a pre-determined desired temp that is lower than the ambient temp (but not too low that it will get too cold) under those conditions.
So use it only when it’s not too hot to need cold air blown into the room but the humidity is threatening to kill you.
Important: What you sacrifice in dry mode is real cooling of the air so if outside temp is abnormally high, the room is likely to warm-up when in Dry mode.
That’s why it is recommended for only cool wet days.
Best temperature for dry mode
For the most part, It’s okay to set the temp at 24 0 Celsius if you are switching your ac to dry mode.
Can I use dry mode all night
Similarly, allowing your unit to operate in dry mode throughout the night may not be the best thing.
Why?
Well, you still run the risk of making the air dry too much, which can make the room very uncomfortable (hence the 2 hours max recommendation)
Is dry mode good for health?
Well, it is majorly useful on days when moisture content(in the air) is very uncomfortable but the temp is not so high to require urgent cooling- the room won’t feel clammy.
Reminder: if it runs for exceedingly long, it can be bad for your wellbeing if you’re super sensitive to air dryness (Skin could get very itchy and your throat very dry-especially when you’re sleeping)
That aside, the dehumidification effect translates to better health as your loved ones breathe easier (which is good for allergies and ailments triggered by breathing problems like asthma).
Oh, and mould is unlikely to thrive in your home again meaning you’re not going to experience allergic reactions caused by mould like stuffy nose, wheezing, itchy eyes, and more.
Dry mode in AC power consumption
As I had told you, there’s definitely some power savings when you use your AC in dry mode.
But though it for sure saves electricity, sometimes it is not by much – you by now understand that the unit runs a bit less in dry mode- as a lot of factors come into play including room setup
Is it cheaper to run aircon on dry mode?
Yeah…I have repeatedly mentioned that AC dry mode is a low power setting (the compressors runs for just a shorter time and the fan blows slowly) so yes, there’s reduced electricity usage almost always.
A word on air conditioner dry mode in winter
Can you use dry mode in winter?
Yeah…though the AC is designed for the summer, it’s fine to use during the biting cold winter months on one condition: the humidity is insane and it’s raining.
That’s when you’re likely to get the optimal results.
Dry Mode Vs Dehumidifier (Dehumidifier Vs Aircon Dry Mode)
When it comes to air conditioner dry mode vs dehumidifier, it is important you get this: AC dry mode cannot replace a dehumidifier.
That is because of what you might have guessed: It is not powerful enough to control humidity as excellently as a dedicated dehumidifier does(after all, the ac has to keep an eye on room temp and go off when the temp drops too low).
Okay, it’s true it will fight excess humidity (so you can look at it as a dehumidifier at work) but it won’t quite eliminate all unwanted moisture- that’s the work of a stand-alone dehumidifier.
Nevertheless, a dehumidifier will also re-heat the air (that is not the case with ac dry mode and your room feels cooler when using dry mode over operating a dehumidifier).
So?
Consider using a dehumidifier next to your air conditioner especially for your clothes/garments if it is not possible to put them outside(and you’re fearing they may grow mould).
Dry mode symbol in ac
In general, the dry mode symbol in popular AC brands like LG is either a teardrop or a water symbol
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