Does a dehumidifier cool a room? Not exactly, but experts say it still has surprising benefits
Could it replace your fan and AC unit?
![A Meaco dehumidifier by the side of a sofa in a living room with dark walls](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iXk2QEwbtUPzkakY6DSaG9-415-80.jpg)
Summer will be here before we know it, and if this season proves itself to be anything like the past years, it'll be well worth adopting the use of a fan or AC unit. However, among the many appliances in your roster, could a dehumidifier help cool a room?
Although the best dehumidifiers are famously known for their ability to combat issues of damp within a home, there's recently been some curiosity surrounding whether or not these appliances could serve an entirely different purpose.
Seeing as dehumidifiers help to dry clothes indoors, so 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?
Does a dehumidifier cool a room?
The short answer? No, a dehumidifier won't cool a room in the same way that a portable air conditioner will, for example. '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.
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.
'This is because lower humidity levels reduce the body's perception of heat,' explains Nathan Paul, air appliance expert at Appliances Direct. '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. Paired with one of the best fans, this could be an alternative way to keep a bedroom cool in the coming months if you don't fancy running up your bills with the cost of operating a portable air conditioner (or simply don't own one, that is).
But of course, 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.
Shop our top-rated dehumidifiers
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.
If you've already got a dehumidifier to help with getting rid of damp in your home, it's certainly good news to hear that it's got additional benefits for the summertime. However, 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 should cooling down a room be your primary concern.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
Jullia Joson is a Junior Writer at Ideal Home. She's always loved all things homes and interiors, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Architectural Studies from the University of Nottingham where her love for journalism blossomed following her internship at ArchDaily. Now focused on home tech, Jullia works on writing features and explainers to help people make the most of their home appliance investments. When she isn't writing, she loves exploring the city, coffee shop hopping, and losing hours to a cosy game.
-
Dunelm’s sell-out wave rug is finally back in stock – it has already taken over some of the most stylish floors on Instagram
It combines not one, but two of this year's biggest trends
By Aimee Greenhalgh
-
Escape to the Chateau's Dick and Angel Strawbridge reveal their trick for saving money when planting up their walled garden every year
They can plant more crops each year without spending a penny.
By Rebecca Knight
-
How to use Epsom salt for plants - and why this cupboard essential could be the secret to happy and healthy plants
Just make sure you use it on the right plants
By Lauren Bradbury
-
Dunelm’s sell-out wave rug is finally back in stock – it has already taken over some of the most stylish floors on Instagram
It combines not one, but two of this year's biggest trends
By Aimee Greenhalgh
-
Fan vs air conditioner – which is better for cooling your home during a heatwave?
Which of the two is the right choice for your home?
By Jullia Joson
-
Lidl's bladeless fan is our heatwave must-have – it looks just like Dyson but over £300 less
And you can buy it in stores right now
By Jullia Joson
-
Will a fan help a dehumidifier? Experts say this underrated pairing is the secret to keeping cool this summer
Maximise your appliance's performance and stay cool at the same time
By Jullia Joson
-
Aldi's elegant three-piece vase set looks like H&M Home but costs less than £5
The budget retailer takes on H&M Home’s chic mini vases, recreating them for less than half the price
By Sara Hesikova
-
Are Dyson fans worth it? Here's what you need to know about the coveted summer essential before investing
Is the premium price tag justifiable?
By Jullia Joson
-
Margo Selby’s bold new collection for Habitat is filled with retro fun and joyous colour
The textile designer presents her latest collaboration to celebrate the brand's 60th anniversary
By Ginevra Benedetti
-
What causes an air purifier to stop working? 6 common reasons and how to avoid them, according to appliance experts
It pays to understand how to identify issues with this home investment
By Jullia Joson