Top 12 Benefits of Dehumidifier
The main purpose of using a dehumidifier is to extract excess moisture from the air, lower the humidity level indoors and maintain it between 40% and 60%.
Showering, cooking, breathing and drying clothes indoors add moisture to the air. This can raise humidity to 70–80%, leading to black mould and other problems. A dehumidifier removes extra moisture from the air. Some models can maintain your chosen humidity level and switch off automatically, while Wi-Fi models can be controlled using a mobile app. Let’s explore other benefits.
In This Article
- Drying Clothes Faster
- Lower Cost Than a Tumble Dryer
- Gentle on Your Clothes
- Protect Against Mould, Mildew and Damp
- Protect Furniture
- Protect Electronic Accessories
- Remove Bad Smells
- Keep Pests and Insects Away
- Better for Allergies and Breathing Problems
- Improve Sleep Quality
- Make Breathing Easier
- Ideal for Industrial and Machinery Areas
- What a Dehumidifier Does Not Do
Top 3 Benefits of Dehumidifiers for Drying Clothes
1. Drying Clothes Faster Than Naturally Air-Drying Them
Drying clothes naturally in the air takes a long time, especially in winter, when it can take almost a whole day or even longer. However, using a dehumidifier can dry clothes faster, usually within 3 to 6 hours, depending on the fabric.
It is very easy to set up. Simply hang your clothes on an airer, place the dehumidifier nearby and switch it on. It is even better if you turn on a small fan. For the complete setup, check our 4 steps to dry clothes with a dehumidifier.
2. Drying Clothes at a Lower Cost Than a Tumble Dryer
A dehumidifier can dry your clothes within 3 to 6 hours at a much lower cost than a tumble dryer. A standard 300W dehumidifier costs around 8p per hour to run. Therefore, running it for 3 to 6 hours costs around 24p to 48p.
On the other hand, tumble dryers usually dry clothes within 1 to 2 hours. A standard 2,500W vented or condenser tumble dryer costs around 66p per hour to run, so running it for 2 hours costs around £1.32. However, heat pump tumble dryers have much lower running costs but a higher purchase price.
3. Gentle on Your Clothes Without Causing Bad Smells
A dehumidifier uses dry air rather than direct heat to help dry your clothes. This can help prevent musty smells and reduce the risk of fabric damage. Your clothes can stay softer and last longer.
Top 5 Benefits of Dehumidifiers for the Home
4. Protect Against Mould, Mildew and Damp
A dehumidifier helps reduce excess moisture in your home, which can help prevent black mould and dampness. These can damage your walls, paintwork, windows, wallpaper, ceilings and other parts of your home.
Dehumidifiers are also portable, so you can easily move them from one place to another. Once a room is dry, you can move the machine to the garage, basement, attic or any other damp area to help reduce moisture and prevent mould and mildew.
5. Protect Furniture
Almost all furniture, except a few types, can be affected by excess moisture. If a room is too humid, furniture can weaken, rot or become discoloured over time. Eventually, it may no longer be usable. However, using a dehumidifier can help protect your furniture.
6. Protect Electronic Accessories
Electronic items such as computers, laptops, CPUs and monitors contain small circuits that are not waterproof. If the room is too humid, moisture can damage these components and cause short circuits. Using a dehumidifier to lower the humidity can help protect your electronic devices.
Other household items, such as books, clothes and shoes, can also be affected by damp storage conditions. This is another reason why using a dehumidifier can be beneficial.
7. Remove Bad Smells
Carpets and soft furnishings, such as sofas, chairs and mattresses, can act like sponges. Over time, they absorb body oils, sweat, skin cells, pet dander and moisture from the air. This can cause unpleasant smells.
Thanks to dehumidifiers, you can reduce excess moisture in the air, which can help prevent musty smells from developing.
8. Keep Pests and Insects Away
Pests such as ants and mice can thrive in damp areas. Keeping the air dry can help discourage some pests that prefer damp conditions.
Top 3 Benefits of Dehumidifiers for Health and Comfort
9. Better for Allergies and Breathing Problems
Dust mites and mould love damp air. A dehumidifier helps reduce excess moisture, which makes it harder for them to grow. These are common triggers for people with allergies and asthma. With fewer triggers in the air, you sneeze, cough and wheeze less, especially in bedrooms where you spend many hours.
10. Improve Sleep Quality
Maintaining indoor humidity between 40% and 60% can help make your bedroom more comfortable for sleeping, particularly in summer. A dehumidifier can help maintain this humidity level.
11. Make Breathing Easier
Dehumidifiers help balance indoor humidity, making the air feel more comfortable. When the air is too damp, it can feel heavy and make breathing harder. By removing extra moisture, a dehumidifier can help reduce throat irritation and a blocked nose, so you can breathe more easily, especially at night.
Another Benefit of a Dehumidifier
12. Ideal for Industrial and Machinery Areas
Factories, warehouses and other industrial buildings store important products, tools and machinery. These items are often made of steel and other materials that can be damaged by excess moisture over time, especially during winter in countries such as the UK, where damp conditions are common.
Thanks to dehumidifiers, excess moisture can be removed from the air, helping protect stored machinery, equipment and the building itself.
Summary: 12 Benefits of a Dehumidifier
- Dries Clothes Faster: Dries clothes in around 3–6 hours.
- Lower Running Costs: Can dry clothes more cheaply than many tumble dryers.
- Gentle on Clothes: Uses dry air to help prevent musty smells and fabric damage.
- Prevents Mould and Damp: Reduces excess moisture that encourages mould and mildew.
- Protects Furniture: Helps prevent wood and other materials from rotting, warping or discolouring.
- Protects Electronics: Reduces moisture that can damage computers, laptops and other electronic devices.
- Removes Bad Smells: Helps prevent musty odours in carpets, sofas and mattresses.
- Discourages Pests: Drier conditions can discourage some insects and pests that prefer damp areas.
- Reduces Allergy Triggers: Makes it harder for dust mites and mould to thrive.
- Improves Sleep Quality: Helps maintain comfortable humidity levels in the bedroom.
- Makes Breathing Easier: Reduces dampness that can make indoor air feel uncomfortable.
- Protects Industrial Equipment: Helps protect machinery, tools and stored goods from moisture damage.
What a Dehumidifier Does Not Do
1. It Does Not Cool a Room Like an Air Conditioner
A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, but it is not designed to cool your room. In fact, it usually releases some heat while running. For example, if your bedroom feels hot, a dehumidifier will not make it cool like an air conditioner does.
2. It Does Not Run Without Electricity
A dehumidifier needs electricity to operate. If we calculate the running costs using the UK electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh, which applies until 31 December 2026:
- A small 150W dehumidifier running for 12 hours costs around 47p.
- A medium 300W dehumidifier running for 12 hours costs around 95p.
- A large 500W dehumidifier running for 12 hours costs around £1.58.
3. It Does Not Run Completely Silently
Most home dehumidifiers produce around 35–60 decibels (dB) of noise, similar to a quiet library, a refrigerator or normal conversation. Quiet models usually operate at around 30–40 dB, making them suitable for bedrooms and living rooms.
Standard compressor models produce around 40–50 dB, while larger models running at full power can reach 50–70 dB, similar to a loud shower or vacuum cleaner.
4. It Does Not Just Switch On and Off
When a dehumidifier removes excess moisture from a room, it collects the water in a small container. You need to empty the water tank, clean the filters and keep the machine free from dust.
