Will a Humidifier Cool a Room?
Humidifiers are often seen as the savior of winter and for a good reason.
They can make a room feel warmer and more comfortable for those suffering from dry skin or allergies.
But will a humidifier actually cool your room?
The answer is no—in fact, humidifiers can make your room even warmer than it would be without one!
We will talk more about this further down in this post.
So if you want to know whether a humidifier will cool your room, you will love this post.
Let’s get started.
Does a Humidifier Cool a Room in Summer?
In summer, many people use a humidifier to try to cool off their homes.
The problem is that most models of humidifiers actually increase humidity levels in the air, which isn’t helpful when you’re trying to lower the temperature of your room.
A high humidity level will actually make you feel warmer.
This is because the more moisture in the air – aka higher humidity levels- your sweat cannot evaporate as quickly and effectively to cool off your body!
You could be getting warmer instead of cooler if all the sweat on your body is trapped and can’t evaporate into the air.
Since your body cannot produce more sweat to cool itself off, you will feel warmer and use more energy trying to regulate your body temperature.
Don’t let that cool-mist humidifier fool you!
They may make your room feel cooler in the winter, but they’ll only add humidity to a summer day and can even increase how hot you’re feeling.
The best way to “cool” down in the summer is by using a fan or air conditioner instead of turning on a humidifier!
Does a Humidifier Increase Room Temperature?
A humidifier will not increase your room temperature, but it may make you feel warmer if the humidity is already high in that area.
The temperature itself will stay the same as it was without the humidifier.
The humidity will be increased in that area with a humidifier, which may make you feel warmer due to perspiration and the evaporation of heat from your skin.
When there is more water vapor in the air around us, then we cannot sweat efficiently to keep ourselves cool.
So, a humidifier will not make your room any hotter than it already is.
If you want to increase your room temperature, though, a humidifier will not help you.
It will just make the air more moist, which may be uncomfortable for some people to enter because they will feel like it is muggy and hot in that area of your home.
There are other ways to increase room temperature if this sounds appealing to you, though.
You can use an electric heater or even opening up windows, so there is natural airflow throughout the house.
Also read: 8 Benefits of Humidifier Every Homeowner Should Know!
Is It OK to Sleep Next to a Humidifier?
Although sleeping with a humidifier in your room can bring some benefits, it is generally not advised to sleep next to a humidifier.
The machine should be kept at least several feet away from the bed to not work as an obstruction during sleeping.
There are many studies indicating that adequate humidity may help prevent dry skin, eyes and nasal passages.
It has been proven beneficial for symptoms of common colds such as runny noses and sore throat too.
It is OK to have a humidifier inside the bedroom. What people should avoid is sleeping next to it.
However, people suffering from asthma or other breathing problems should be careful when using a humidifier, as they may worsen their symptoms due to additional moisture in the air.
Also, make sure there is enough ventilation available when using a humidifier.
Moreover, you also want to make sure your bedroom’s humidity levels are between 30% to 50%, as recommended by the Sleep Foundation.
You don’t want them going over 60%, though! As it can be the breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
Check if your humidifier has a built-in humidistat so you can monitor the humidity levels accurately.
Most modern humidifiers will have this feature that allows you to adjust humidity levels automatically and accurately without going overboard.
Also Read: Can a Humidifier Cause Mold on Your Walls?
Should You Use a Humidifier with Air Conditioner?
Now should you use your humidifier in a room with an air conditioner?
Will it bring any benefits?
I personally believe you should use a humidifier with an air conditioner when the weather is hot.
This will keep your room at just the right temperature!
Humidifiers add humidity to dry rooms, and an AC lowers temperatures by blowing away hot air.
This is a perfect combo for keeping your room cool while also humidifying it.
We know that a humidifier will not cool a room, so pairing it with an air conditioner is perfect for that hot summer days.
I use a humidifier and an air conditioner together in my bedroom to help me sleep soundly in the dry summer of Phoenix.
So, I totally recommend pairing your humidifier with your AC if you live in cities with low humidity.
Conclusion: So, Will a Humidifier Cool a Room?
Contrary to popular belief, a humidifier is not going to cool your room.
Despite the name, a cool mist humidifier will not lower the temperature of your room and make your room cooler.
A humidifier will make your room feel more comfortable, but it will not lower the temperature.
Final Words
I hope this article will help you understand that a humidifier is not the right appliance if you want to lower your room temperature.
If you’re looking to cool your room, there are better options than a humidifier.
A cooling fan or AC unit will more efficiently lower the temperature in your home.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to let me know!
