Dehumidifiers are designed to remove humidity from a room. They do not lower the air temperature but they do make the room feel cooler. High humidity reduces the ability of the air to absorb moisture. Evaporating sweat cools the body. Lower humidity makes evaporation more efficient.
How Dehumidifiers Make a Room Feel Cooler
High levels of relative humidity prevent your body’s heat regulation system from operating properly. Sweat does not evaporate quickly enough to cool you off. Dehumidifiers remove the excess moisture from the room’s air allowing sweat produced by your body to evaporate more quickly. You feel cooler which makes the room feel cooler even if the temperature remains unchanged.
Dehumidifiers and air conditioners do not perform the same functions. If you have both, they work together to keep your room cool and comfortable. The dehumidifier reduces humidity quickly. Air conditioners are designed to keep relative humidity between 40% and 60%.
Benefits Of Using a Dehumidifier
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends indoor humidity levels of 30% – 50% for the best comfort level and mold prevention. Dehumidifiers provide other benefits in addition to making rooms feel cooler.
- Increased Comfort. Low humidity reduces a home’s muggy sticky uncomfortable feel.
- Health Benefits. Removes dust mites and other allergens that cause asthma attacks and breathing problems.
- Cost Savings. Dehumidifiers reduce the amount of time air conditioners run–saving energy costs.
- Reduces Mold Growth. High humidity provides the moisture that mold requires to grow on organic matter. Learning how to prevent mold starts with decreasing humidity–especially in the basement.
- Prevents Condensation. Low humidity stops condensation that blisters paint, peels wallpaper, and stains walls.
Can Dehumidifiers Heat a Room?
Dehumidifiers produce some heat while running but the effect on overall temperature is minimal. The benefit of lower humidity is much greater than the small amount of heat the machine produces. Most dehumidifiers can be set to a preferred humidity level and run automatically as required–preventing excess heat production.
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