Do Dehumidifiers Give Off Heat and Is It Normal

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Dehumidifiers can indeed give off heat, and it's not uncommon for them to do so. This is because they work by removing excess moisture from the air, which can cause the device to warm up.

As we'll explore in more detail later, the heat produced by a dehumidifier is usually a result of the compression of air in the condenser coils. This compression causes the air to heat up, which is then dissipated through the device's vents.

In most cases, the heat given off by a dehumidifier is not excessive and can be considered normal. However, it's worth noting that some dehumidifiers may be more efficient than others in terms of heat production.

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Do Dehumidifiers Give Off Heat?

Dehumidifiers can give off heat, but it's not always a lot. A properly functioning refrigerated dehumidifier can cause the temperature of the supply air to be 15-25° higher than the temperature of the incoming air.

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In some cases, the discharge air temperature can be as high as 115°F, which can make you feel warmer. This is a secondary benefit of using a dehumidifier, but it doesn't replace the need for a heater in very cold conditions.

Compressor dehumidifiers are the ones that blow hot air, not desiccant dehumidifiers. Desiccant dehumidifiers don't produce much heat, and you won't notice it.

If your room temperature is too high, your dehumidifier will blow out hot air. The air that compressor dehumidifiers expel is a little hotter than the air in your room.

Dehumidifiers with compressors always expel air that is hotter than the air in your room because of the heat generated as a byproduct of the dehumidification process.

For another approach, see: Do Dehumidifiers Clean the Air

Potential Causes of Heat Emission

A dehumidifier can give off heat due to its normal operation, not just a malfunction. In fact, a properly functioning refrigerated dehumidifier can cause the temperature of the supply or exhaust air to be 15 - 25° higher than the temperature of the incoming air.

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The heat emission is not just a minor effect, it's a significant one. For example, if your room temperature is about 100°F, the dehumidifier's discharge air temperature may be 115°F.

This heat emission can be attributed to the way dehumidifiers work. They essentially cool the air to about 50°F, causing moisture to condense out and then reheat it to a little above room temperature as it travels through the condenser coil.

Evaporator Coil Is Dirty

The evaporator coil is dirty, and it's a common culprit behind hot air emission from your dehumidifier. This is because the coil becomes unclean and prevents the air from being chilled as much as it should be.

Warm air has a greater capacity to store moisture than cold air, so dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air by chilling it below its dew point, cooling it to about 50°F. The moisture then condenses out of the air and drips into a collection tank.

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If the evaporator coil is unclean, the air reheats to a considerably higher temperature than normal as it passes through the condenser coil. This is because the dirty coil prevents the air from being chilled as much as it should be.

Cleaning the evaporator coil can resolve the issue and have your dehumidifier running efficiently again.

Device Heat Emission

A dehumidifier can release heat, especially if it's not maintained properly.

You could get a heat exchanger to minimize heat loss or gain, but it's an expensive option.

A typical home dehumidifier removes roughly 2L of water per kWh of energy used, soaking up over 1 kWH of latent heat, resulting in a room warming of about 2kWh per kWh input energy.

The efficiency of a dehumidifier can be over 200% if you want to dry your house air also.

The compressor in a dehumidifier generates heat during the dehumidification process.

Hot air is drawn in and out of the compressor at a faster rate to avoid overheating it.

Credit: youtube.com, Heat Transfer: Conduction, Convection, and Radiation

Regular cleaning of the dehumidifier coils is necessary to maintain efficiency and prevent increased heat in the room.

Choosing the wrong device can lead to increased heat, such as using a small portable dehumidifier in a large basement or a commercial-grade dehumidifier in a bedroom.

A properly functioning refrigerated dehumidifier can cause the temperature of the supply or exhaust air to be 15 - 25° higher than the temperature of the incoming air.

This can be a secondary benefit that makes you feel warmer, but it doesn't replace the need for a heater in very cold conditions.

The evaporator coil of the dehumidifier can become unclean, causing the device to spew hotter air than usual.

Cleaning the evaporator coil can resolve this issue.

Understanding Dehumidifier Heat Output

A dehumidifier can actually be quite efficient at removing moisture from the air, with some models removing up to 2L of water per kWh of energy used.

The heat output of a dehumidifier is a common concern, but it's not always a bad thing. In fact, a properly functioning refrigerated dehumidifier will typically cause the temperature of the supply or exhaust air to be 15 - 25° higher than the temperature of the incoming air.

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This temperature increase can make you feel warmer, but it's not a substitute for a primary heat source in very cold conditions. You'll still need a separate heater to keep your home warm in extreme cold.

The air leaving a compressor dehumidifier will typically be 3-5°F warmer than the air within your room on average. This is because a small quantity of heat is generated as a byproduct of the dehumidification process.

The heat output of a dehumidifier can also be affected by the temperature of the room it's in. If the room is already too warm, the dehumidifier will blow out hot air.

Preventing Device Overheating

Regular cleaning of the dehumidifier coils is essential to maintain efficiency and prevent overheating.

Dirty coils can reduce the unit's efficiency, causing it to work harder and generate more heat.

Choosing the wrong device for the job can also lead to increased heat, especially if you're using a small portable dehumidifier in a large space.

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This can cause the unit to run continuously for a long time, generating more heat without effectively removing moisture.

Using a commercial-grade dehumidifier in a small space like a bedroom can also make the room too hot.

To avoid these issues, make sure to select a dehumidifier that's suitable for your space and needs.

This will help you avoid the problems associated with overheating and ensure your dehumidifier runs efficiently.

A unique perspective: Dehumidifiers for Crawl Space

Comparisons and Efficiency

A dehumidifier is more efficient than an ordinary electric heater, which is already 100% efficient.

In fact, a dehumidifier is more than 100% efficient at heating your home, releasing more heat than the electrical energy it consumes.

This is because a dehumidifier removes energy from water vapor in the air to condense it to a liquid, releasing that energy into your home.

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Efficiency

Choosing the right unit for your needs is crucial for efficiency. A small portable dehumidifier typically works best for a bedroom, adding a barely noticeable amount of heat to your room.

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A whole house dehumidifier is more effective because it's away from your room, and heat is distributed evenly throughout your home, so you won't feel it at all. This type of dehumidifier is ideal for larger spaces.

In the winter, operating a dehumidifier can actually be more efficient than using an ordinary electric heater. This is because a dehumidifier removes energy from water vapor in the air, releasing it into your home as heat.

A dehumidifier is more than 100% efficient at heating your home, releasing more heat than it consumes in electrical energy. This makes it a great solution for those looking to reduce their energy costs.

Clothes Dryer vs Rack

Using a clothes rack to dry your clothes can be a game-changer for your energy efficiency.

A dehumidifier is far more efficient than a clothes dryer, using the heat already in your home to vaporize the water in your clothing. This energy is then recaptured by the dehumidifier when the water vapor is condensed to liquid.

In contrast, a clothes dryer expels the energy you've put into drying your clothes right out of your home through the vent.

Lou Tarchiani

Senior Writer

Lou Tarchiani is a passionate writer, avid traveler, and animal lover. She has a diverse background, having worked in fields ranging from marketing to education. Her travels have taken her to over 20 countries, where she has immersed herself in local cultures and gained unique perspectives on the world.

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