Looking at the dry mode setting of an air conditioner and how it can be beneficial in maintaining a decent humidity level in the air.
Overview
Air conditioners today come with different modes and functions one can use in their cooling or heating. Popular modes include the obvious cool and heat modes, with newer modes such as dry, sleep, energy-saver, and auto amongst many others, each of which serves a different purpose.
The dry mode, in particular, is an interesting one and people might be curious to know what exactly dry mode is intended for. So, what is the dry mode setting in air conditioners?
Introducing the air conditioner dry mode
The dry mode in an air conditioner is one of many new modes that have been introduced and incorporated into the newer air conditioning units.
All these modes are intended to offer users a better, more advanced cooling or heating experience with an air conditioner, and deliver more efficiency and benefits to the user of the unit and even the environment.
Air conditioner modes have made air conditioners more economically and environmentally friendly, which means you can now enjoy their perks at no risk.
What is the dry setting on an air conditioner?
Each new mode in an air conditioner is designed to perform a specific function and offer ease of use and functionality when using your unit.
The dry setting in an air conditioner simply acts like a dehumidifier, to a certain extent. The dry mode is most beneficial during rainy days as the moisture (humidity) levels on rainy days are quite high.
In dry mode, the air conditioner removes some of the indoor moisture from a room, and while it can also cool down the room, it does not cool as intensely as when the unit is set to cool mode.
When in dry mode, the fan and the compressor of the unit run much slower, meaning the unit is not maximising energy usage.
What are some benefits of dry mode?
The dry mode, amongst other modes, comes with some benefits when you use it. The removal of excess moisture provides a healthier home, aiding you and your family with breathing better and fighting allergies caused by mould and mildew that grow in moist environments.
Dry mode can help reduce humidity levels that can potentially damage other household appliances and furniture, it is also energy-efficient, and it provides a solution to unpleasant smells that may consequently develop from high humidity levels and the growth of fungi and mould.
Can you use dry mode the whole day?
It is understandable that some people might think using dry mode the whole day can be harmful.
Dry mode can be used throughout the day, but it is advised that you only use dry mode for a couple of hours when you feel humidity levels may have risen. This is because temperatures are not the same throughout the day and can change at any point.
Using dry mode the whole day will not affect the unit adversely, but users should only use it when they notice a change or spike in humidity.
Can you use dry mode in winter?
People tend to think that dry mode is only suitable for warmer conditions, but the dry mode setting is better suited to slightly cooler and especially wetter conditions where the humidity is high.
This is often the case in rainy conditions where the humidity tends to increase, which is why setting your air conditioner to dry mode under these circumstances is more beneficial.
Final thoughts
Air conditioners now contain a variety of modes to which you can set your unit to perform specific functions, whether it is to cool, heat, or reduce humidity without necessarily cooling – different modes allow the unit to be used in a variety of weather conditions.
The dry mode function reduces the moisture (humidity) accumulated in the air, similarly to what a dehumidifier does. In dry mode, the fan and the compressor are running much slower, and the unit extracts humidity from the air, especially in rainy environments.