Does a dehumidifier cool a room?

What ENERGY STAR® says

The program’s buying guidance puts it plainly:

The air coming out of the unit is drier, and a little warmer than the air that went in. ENERGY STAR adds that you shouldn’t be alarmed if the air right around the unit feels warmer than the rest of the room.

Where the heat comes from

The federal definition lists the parts. There is a refrigerated surface that condenses moisture, and a refrigerating system with an electric motor. A fan and a way to collect or drain the water complete it.

The cold surface chills the air just enough for water to drop out. The same refrigerating system then gives that heat back to the air before it leaves the unit. Nothing carries it outdoors.

The power the unit draws ends up in the room as well.

Air conditioner or dehumidifier

An air conditioner works on the same principle, with one difference. It sends the heat outside, which is why it cools. It also removes moisture, and the EPA’s moisture advice names both machines: use air conditioners and/or dehumidifiers when needed.

A dehumidifier keeps the heat indoors. It’s the tool for a space where the problem is damp, not heat: a basement, a crawl space, a laundry area.

In a hot room

In a space that’s already warm, the extra heat is small but real. Close doors and windows while it runs, as ENERGY STAR advises, and keep air moving around the unit. Set it to the humidity you want, not lower: every certified model has a built-in humidistat, and the unit stops once the room gets there.

If you need cooling, an air conditioner does both jobs. If you only need drying, the smaller machine does it.

Sources

Every figure and quote on this page comes from these, each with the date we read it.