You can absolutely place or install a dehumidifier in a cold room - but how well it works depends on the type of dehumidifier you choose. Some models perform best at higher temperatures, while others are designed to withstand low temperatures and even freezing temperatures.
To ensure effective dehumidification without the risk of the machine freezing or malfunctioning, you must choose a dehumidifier technology that suits the environment it is to be used in.
Spaces with low temperatures - such as basements, storage rooms or garages without heating, cold attics, crawl spaces, etc. - place special demands on the dehumidifier. The temperature affects not only how much moisture the air can hold, but also how efficiently the dehumidifier can work.
There are two main types to choose from: condensation dehumidifier and desiccant dehumidifier. They work in different ways and are suitable for different environments.
📌 Reading tips: Which Dehumidifier Should You Choose?
A condensation dehumidifier works by cooling the air until the moisture condenses into water, which is collected in a container or removed via a hose. This technique is effective in warmer environments, such as laundry rooms or heated basements where temperatures are consistently above about 15°C.
But at lower temperatures, it quickly loses power - if the air gets too cold, the condensation surfaces freeze and dehumidification stops.
If you have a space that stays around +5 to +10°C during winter, a condensation dehumidifier won't perform well enough. It may even stop working completely if it gets too cold. But if you're going to use it indoors or in a laundry room, for example, a condensation dehumidifier is what you need.
In desiccant dehumidifier Instead, it works with a rotor and a moisture-absorbing material (e.g. silica gel) that draws moisture from the air. It is a reliable technology that retains its efficiency even at low temperatures. This makes it an excellent choice for cold or uninsulated spaces such as crawl spaces, cold attics and storage rooms.
For example, you can easily install our desiccant dehumidifiers in cold storage and refrigerated warehouses or in a boat in winter storage.
📌 Reading tips: How a desiccant dehumidifier works
In a crawl space comes the moisture almost always from two directions: marks and from outside. The soil gives off moisture that slowly rises towards the floor. At the same time, warmer and more humid outside air can be drawn into the crawl space, especially during spring, summer and autumn. When the warm air meets the cooler environment in the crawl space, it cools down and condenses.
The result is a rapid rise in humidity, even though the temperature in the crawl space may only be around 10°C. This creates the perfect environment for mould, rot and musty odour. In the worst case, mould can spread to blind bottoms and the construction of the building, which may lead to extensive remediation or even the need to replace materials.
A desiccant dehumidifier makes a big difference by keeping the relative humidity so low that mould and other microbial growth are not given the chance to establish themselves.
Yes, but not all models. A condensing dehumidifier does not normally work below 0°C because the moisture freezes on the cooling coils. A desiccant dehumidifier, on the other hand, is built for these conditions. Therefore, it is the best choice if you need to dehumidify a space where the temperature drops below zero.
Desiccant dehumidifiers from Acetec AB have a wide working range of -20 °C to +40 °C and can withstand many degrees below zero without problems.
