The little-known appliance that keeps me comfortable during a heatwave – this is why I can’t sleep without it

It’s a bit hot, isn’t it? And while sales of fans and portable AC units are going through the roof this week, I thought it only fair that one of my favourite appliances received some love, too. After all, I swear by this little-known air booster during a heatwave.

Of course, spring and summer are already the most popular months for the best air purifiers. But while many people shove them in the cupboard in favour of a fan or portable air conditioner when temperatures start to soar, I’m here to make the case that they undoubtedly do belong in your hot-weather toolkit.

However, I should preface this by saying that standalone air purifiers can’t cool down your house, and you’ll still need an air conditioner if you want to actively reduce the temperature. But it can make your house feel more comfortable, and choosing the right air purifier can almost certainly make you feel better - especially at night. So, this is how an air purifier can help during a heatwave.

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1. It continually circulates the air

One thing you might not know is that fans don’t cool a room, either - only air conditioners do, as they have internal refrigeration components to actively push back against hotter temperatures. But a fan helps you feel cooler by continually circulating the air and creating a breeze (or ‘wind chill’ effect) that replaces the stuffy air with fresh air. And an air purifier works in the exact same way.

This is especially helpful during a heatwave when people often shut blinds and curtains to keep the warmer air out and the cooler air in, as an air purifier can continue to circulate the air even when there’s no fresh air coming in. This alone can make a room feel less stuffy and more comfortable during the hotter weather.

Of course, an air purifier doesn't have the same power as a fan, so I’d suggest using them together for the best results. Johnny Liang, Air Purifier Specialist at Levoit, also says that air purifier placement is key. He advises, ‘Leaving 30–50 cm of clearance around the air inlet and outlet helps ensure good circulation and prevents “short-circuiting,” where cleaned air is immediately drawn back into the unit without mixing into the room.’

2. It tackles indoor pollutants

The summer months also bring many airborne pollutants into the home, from tree and grass pollen to excess dust and even BBQ smoke. In fact, Lars Dunberger, Technology Development Manager at Blueair, says, ‘We spend around 90% of our time indoors, yet indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outside.’

And while there are so many unexpected uses of air purifiers, their main purpose is to capture these indoor pollutants and improve your home’s air quality. And this can make you feel more comfortable during a heatwave, too, as they remove irritating particles and release cleaner air that reduces a room’s stuffiness and makes it feel less stagnant. You should be able to notice this, too.

This is particularly helpful at night if you struggle to sleep during a heatwave. After all, a lack of pollen or dust can help you breathe easier, which will help you fall asleep quicker - and stay asleep for longer too. This is one of the reasons air-purifying fans are worth it: they can help you feel both cool and comfortable during the day and at night.

3. Multi-use air purifiers can do it all

Air purifiers aren’t a one-size-fits-all appliance. In today’s day and age, air purifiers come in so many different forms - from standalone air purifiers to sunrise alarm clock air purifiers, air purifying fans and even air purifier and dehumidifier combos. And if you opt for one of these multi-use air purifiers, they can really help you out during a heatwave.

I’ve already spoken about the benefits of air-purifying fans, but you can also buy appliances that solve your year-round temperature problems. This includes 3-in-1 purifying, heating, and cooling appliances such as the Blueair ComfortPure T10i Air Purifier and the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 Purifying Fan Heater.

If you struggle with the humid, sticky air, an air purifier and dehumidifier combo like the MeacoDry Arete Two can combat stagnant, thick air by lowering the humidity and removing nasty pollutants - all while circulating the air at the same time. So, they’re well worth the investment.

To summarise, an air purifier won’t make your house cooler during the hot spells, but it’s still a worthy addition to your appliance roster as it can combat many of the other negative effects associated with the hot weather.