How to use a dehumidifier to cool a room
Although dehumidifier is primarily designed to remove moisture, it can also be a useful tool for dealing with hot weather climates. Heat can cause all kinds of discomfort during the day and at night. Rather than trying to run the fan more often or at a higher speed, you can run a dehumidifier to remove moisture. Dehumidifiers dry out the air in the room, therefore, reducing moisture that supports heat, and makes the room more comfortable.
Also know that a dehumidifier does not reduce temperature directly, it creates a completely dry atmosphere that is cool and gives a comfortable feeling. In this state, you can then turn on other temperature control appliances like an air conditioning unit, to actually reduce its temperature.
Also Read: Best Dehumidifier for large room
What exactly does a dehumidifier do?
A dehumidifier is a device that removes moisture from the air, therefore reducing its relative humidity. It is used in high humid and hot climates when moisture tends to rise beyond safe levels.
By running a dehumidifier, you can keep humidity under control by maintaining it in a safe range. However, be careful not to over dehumidify, which causes moisture to fall too low and is not safe for you.
Can you use a dehumidifier instead of an air conditioner
No, a dehumidifier cannot be used instead of an air conditioner. They are two separate devices which cannot be used interchangeably; a dehumidifier extracts moisture from the air, while an air conditioner cools the air in the room.
An air conditioner also dehumidifies the air in a room during the process of cooling (passing it through chilled pipes), but a dehumidifier does not reduce the temperature of the air while dehumidifying.
So, how does a dehumidifier cool a room
A dehumidifier could be used intelligently to cool a room; therefore, it all depends on how you use it. When the amount of humidity in the air is high, the air feels warmer than what it actually is, while dry air, on the other hand, always feels cooler. Therefore, using a dehumidifier to cool a room would help you feel cooler, although it does not directly affect temperature.
Also, sweat from the air tends to evaporate a lot from the skin and settles in the air when the atmosphere is hot. This causes the air to be moister. Over time, you would start to feel clammy, especially the skin, because you can’t stay dry due to sweat not evaporating any more. This is because the air is saturated and cannot hold any more moisture. Hope you get the picture?
In such a situation, running a dehumidifier reduces moisture in the air, and keeps your body cool because sweat would easily evaporate better.
Also Read: Best non electric dehumidifier for bathroom
How does a dehumidifier work?
A dehumidifier draws in air from the atmosphere and passes it through refrigerated coils. During the flow, condensation occurs, and moisture is directly extracted from the air in the form of water droplets.
The water is collected in a tank or directly drained to a location, while the moisture free and dry air is released back into the atmosphere. After a while of continuous moisture extraction, the level of relative humidity in the atmosphere drops.
There are also low-grade dehumidifiers that simply expose moisture-absorbing beads to the atmosphere, which in turn absorbs moisture directly. These types are cheaper and smaller, but also way less effective. They are mostly suitable for small closed spaces like cupboards and wardrobes.
Requirements for a dehumidifier to cool a room
The first requirement for a dehumidifier to be able to cool a room is that it can actually dehumidify it. Finding the right type of dehumidifier is very important because a suitable capacity would be able to dehumidify the air properly. Dehumidifiers are rated on room size in square feet, and you must purchase a unit that adequately matches that of your room.
You should also consider the temperature of the environment. Some dehumidifiers cannot run in low temperatures, while others can. On average, most dehumidifiers work best in temperatures from 70 degrees Fahrenheit and higher. The low temperature could cause the coils of the dehumidifier to freeze up, therefore blocking the passage of air.
To counteract this, many new dehumidifiers come with an inbuilt anti-freeze system. If you live in very cold areas, your unit should certainly have this. Also, you cannot cool a room that is already cold.
How to make a dehumidifier cool your room – DIY
Here are easy steps on how to make a dehumidifier cool your room;
- Ensure the room is properly insulated from the external environment. This should be done for the dehumidifier to have the most impact possible on your room’s air, and it includes closing all doors and windows.
- Purchase a sufficient capacity dehumidifier and set it up, preferably in the middle of your room, if possible. This should be done preferably at a time where you do not have to use the room, and also ensure you follow all manufacturer’s recommendations on how to use and position the dehumidifier.
- Run the dehumidifier, preferably in your absence, because it is a drying agent and can cause the skin to dry up. Dehumidifiers shut off as soon as the tank gets full, or you can instead use a continuous drain option to avoid the stress of emptying its tank frequently.
- Note that the dehumidifier should reduce humidity to a safe level, and do not allow it to reduce relative humidity too low.
Conclusion
A dehumidifier can be smartly used to cool a room because it is a drying agent. Although it does not reduce temperature directly, it creates less humid air that surely cools the body. You can easily use a dehumidifier to navigate your heat problems, although you should also keep in mind that it does not and cannot function like an air conditioner that actually cools the air.
With the right size and application of a dehumidifier, you can get a cooler feel in your room today.
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