Does a dehumidifier cool a room? Experts say it has some surprising benefits to help you beat the summer heat

When temperatures start to soar, we’re once again reminded that UK homes aren’t equipped to deal with hot weather. And as our homes are generally built to keep the heat in, this can make the summer months unbearable. But if you have a dehumidifier at home, you might wonder… does a dehumidifier cool a room?

Although the best dehumidifiers are famously known for their ability to combat damp issues within a home during the colder months of the year, there has recently been some curiosity about whether these appliances could serve an entirely different purpose.

Seeing as dehumidifiers help to dry clothes indoors, it's not entirely farfetched to assume they could also help with tackling the summer heat, but what do the experts have to say on the matter? I asked them whether a dehumidifier can cool a room, and the answer probably isn’t as black and white as it may seem.

How a dehumidifier can cool a room

The short answer? No, a dehumidifier won't cool a room in the same way that one of the best portable air conditioners or the best fans will, for example. The same can be said if you're questioning whether an air purifier cools a room, too, as it’s important to remember what these appliances are typically designed for. The long answer is a little more complicated, though.

'However, if the room is hot and humid, a dehumidifier can make the room feel cooler to its occupants as it replaces the humid air with dry air,' explains Chris Michael, MD of Meaco.

Chris Michael

Chris has been advising on humidity solutions and dehumidifiers since 1991 and is well known within the dehumidifier industry across the world as a lead on innovation and sustainability. With a wealth of experience in the industry, Chris is committed to helping provide low-energy and low-noise solutions appliances that improve the lives of customers.

So, although a dehumidifier will not lower the actual temperature of a room, by removing excess humidity and stickiness from the air, the room will feel a lot cooler, comfortable, and more pleasant.

Nathan Paul, air appliance expert at Appliances Direct, echoes this, stating that a dehumidifier typically affects the people in the home more than the temperature of the home itself during the warmer months.

'This is because lower humidity levels reduce the body's perception of heat,’ he says. ‘This is more apparent in inherently humid countries or heatwaves.'

Seeing as these conditions are often the case in British summertime, this cooling effect should be especially effective. And paired with another appliance, this could be an alternative way to keep a bedroom cool in the coming months if you have them readily available.

For this, you might want to weigh up the fan vs air conditioner debate to see which one suits you and your needs best. And if you opt for a fan, you’ll be happy to know that experts say that a fan will undoubtedly help a dehumidifier keep your room cool when paired together. You’ll just need to be mindful of your energy bills and how long you use them for to keep costs down.

However, it's important to remember that although using a dehumidifier can help, Joshua Warren, AO's dehumidifier expert, stresses that it's not the appliance's primary function and the effect will be 'typically modest'.

'Unlike an air conditioner, which actively cools the air by removing heat from it and then expelling the heat outside, a dehumidifier doesn't significantly alter the temperature. For this reason, an air conditioner may suit your needs better if you're after a cooler room,' adds Joshua.

Warnings consider when using a dehumidifier to cool a room

If you have particularly small rooms, you also need to be aware that a dehumidifier can have the opposite effect. Tom Coverdale, Head of Design at British dehumidifier manufacturer Ebac, warns, ‘A dehumidifier pulls in humid air, then cools it down to condense the moisture and remove it from the air, the heat is then re-introduced before releasing it back into the room - so the air coming out of the product is slightly warmer.’

He adds, ‘You won’t notice it in a large room over a short period of time, but in a closed room with a dehumidifier running for a few hours, the temperature will steadily creep up.’

This is only really something you’ll feel if you leave your dehumidifier on constantly (which you won’t want to do, considering the cost to run a dehumidifier and the rising energy prices), and the comforting properties will certainly outweigh the heat it produces in the long run. It’s still something to consider, though.

So, while a dehumidifier doesn't exactly function as a dedicated cooling device, its ability to reduce humidity can improve overall comfort and make a room feel cooler. Because of this, we wouldn't recommend purchasing a dehumidifier to use it purely as a cooling device.

After all, there are way better options on the market if cooling down a room is your primary concern.

Shop the best heat-busting appliances

FAQs

Do dehumidifiers let out hot air?

Many dehumidifiers - specifically compressor dehumidifiers - do produce heat, and you may find that you can feel some hot air coming from the appliance. This is completely normal and all part of the running process. However, it’s important to note that this heat should only be minimal and shouldn’t affect the temperature of the room too much.

If you find that your dehumidifier is letting out too much hot air to the point where it’s noticeable, you should stop using it immediately, as there may be a fault with it.

Should I run a dehumidifier in the summer?

Although many people associate dehumidifiers with colder weather and the winter months, you can still run a dehumidifier in the summer. In fact, dehumidifiers can make your home more comfortable if you struggle with the sticky heat, as this appliance will remove excess moisture from the air and reduce the overall humidity of your home.

Not only can this help you sleep during the hot weather, but it can also help those who struggle with allergies during this time. Plus, using a dehumidifier in the summer can also prevent the growth of mould, which typically thrives in the hot, humid weather.

So, now we know whether a dehumidifier can cool a room, all you need to do is figure out how you want to cool down your house this summer!