Dehumidifier Blowing Cold Air: Malfunction or Norm?

Examining the components of a dehumidifier and some reasons why it may be sending out cold air instead of warmer one
By
Carolina Evans
Carolina Evans
Research Writer
Holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and is keen on her own home’s climate. Sometimes we think that Carolina owns every single product she writes about – that’s ho read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Richard Powell
Richard Powell
Expert Consultant
For 8 years, Richard had been working as an HVAC specialist and AC unit installer since his student years. Now, he’s our main consultant on every technical aspect that may read more
Last updated: September 13, 2023
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Anyone new to the devices may be wondering if a dehumidifier blowing cold air is normal. The truth is that each dehumidifier is different, and there may be controls you can use to change the temperature of the air it produces. However, if you have a blast of cold air coming out of your dehumidifier, this can be a sign of a mechanical issue. Not only can cold air be uncomfortable but it can mean you need to spend more effort heating your home in an effort to offset it. We’ll examine the components of a dehumidifier, discuss what typical settings are, and some common reasons a dehumidifier may be sending out cold air instead of warmer air.

Dehumidifier Air Temperature Overview

If you suffer from constant health issues but aren’t sure why, it could actually be a result of the wrong humidity levels Trusted Source Home measures against low air humidity which may alleviate health problems Humidity and temperature are fundamental for the balance in the life cycle of living beings and, consequently, for maintaining the well-being of the human population and reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov . Getting a dehumidifier can be the first step in regaining your optimal health.

Which is normal: hot or cold?

For the most part, your dehumidifier should have warm or room-temperature air blowing out of it. However, you may have a higher-end device that allows you to change the temperature outflow.

There are many dehumidifiers that act as fans, which will produce cool air. For example, the BLACK+DECKER BD22MWSA has two fan speeds, so you may have cooler air come out of this product.

Proper temperature range

Dehumidifier Blowing Cold Air: Malfunction or Norm?

Just as with most appliances, an extreme in any direction is a sign of trouble. If your dehumidifier produces air that is either too hot or too cold, then this is a sign there is a problem.

The proper temperature range for a dehumidifier is between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The average temperature of a room is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, as a comparison.

As you can see a dehumidifier should produce air that is at least the normal air temperature of a room, if not a bit higher. Again, while you can have a dehumidifier that has a fan setting, which will cool the air, if you have it on a regular setting, it should not blast cold air from the unit.

Benefits of a dehumidifier

Just in case you weren’t sure if a dehumidifier is worth the possible troubleshooting, we thought we would expand on the benefits of having an appliance. First of all, if you are prone to allergies having a dehumidifier can help eliminate bacteria Trusted Source Allergies - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic To evaluate whether you have an allergy, your health care provider will likely: www.mayoclinic.org in the air and reduce the environment that bacteria want to grow in.

Mold and bacteria grow best in warm, moist areas. By removing the moisture from your air, you can ensure you don’t inadvertently create a breeding ground.

Another benefit is that dehumidifiers come with air filters. You can get rid of pollen and dust from your room, again improving your overall health.

Factors that Influence Dehumidifier Air Temperature

Having an efficient dehumidifier creates a healthier, more comfortable environment. There are many health issues caused by a change in humidity, and there have even been studies that link humidity changes and mortality rates Trusted Source pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Aim To determine the relationship between seasonal changes in ambient temperature, humidity and general and specific mortality rates in the area of Zenica-Doboj Canton. Mortality associated with seasonal changes in ambient temperature and humidity in Zenica-Doboj Canton . If you can keep your home at an even temperature and humidity, then your quality of life can improve.

If you have a dehumidifier that is blasting cold air, there are a number of common reasons that you can quickly diagnose. Take a look at these reasons along with their fixes. Always start with the most straightforward reasons as they are the easiest to eliminate.

1. Room humidity levels

Dehumidifier Blowing Cold Air: Malfunction or Norm?

A dehumidifier can’t work miracles, unfortunately. If your room is incredibly humid, then you need a strong unit to tackle the constant flow of air. Furthermore, if you have a unit meant for a small space trying to work an entire home, it won’t be able to work properly.

Your dehumidifier can become overwhelmed with the workload and simply stop working or switch to a fan mode to preserve its lifespan.

Fix

Every dehumidifier will come with specifications that tell you how large of a room it can handle. If you are using one dehumidifier for the whole house and keep all the doors open, then it won’t be able to produce the settings you want.

When you purchase a new unit, such as from this list of the best energy-efficient dehumidifiers Trusted Source 5 Best Energy-Efficient Dehumidifiers (Winter 2023) – The Complete Guide Need a reliable appliance to reduce the humidity levels of your home and still be economical? We’ve found the best energy-efficient dehumidifiers out there. hvaclifehack.com , look to see the square footage it can handle. If you have a house with an open plan, then you will want a dehumidifier that can work in spaces of at least 1000 square feet. In contrast, if you just want a dehumidifier for a bedroom, then one that works on 400 square feet will be sufficient.

2. Wrong settings

Dehumidifier Blowing Cold Air: Malfunction or Norm?

As we’ve mentioned, your dehumidifier most likely has a mode where you can turn a fan on. There might be multiple fan settings, but there should at least be a low and a high fan option. With a high fan setting, you can expect the ambient temperature to drop 5 to 10 degrees when running your dehumidifier in a small room.

Any modern dehumidifier, such as the AIRPLUS AP1907, will have its controls on the top of the unit. They will be a combination of buttons and an LED screen, so you should be able to tell if the fan mode is on.

Fix

This should be an easy fix, so it is always best to check the settings first before you go onto more advanced troubleshooting. Find the control panel, which is often at the top. Then, look to see what settings are lit up. If there is a fan option, it will either say the word or have a picture of a fan. Then, beside it, there may be further buttons that light up depending on the intensity of the fan setting.

Some dehumidifiers will also show the temperature setting. Check this to ensure it is at a warmer temperature.

If you have merely set the wrong options, then it will be easy to fix them. However, if you can’t get the machine to turn off its fan or change its temperature settings, then there may be a problem with the mechanics. In this case, call the manufacturer and see if they can walk you through a way to fix it. If not, you may need to hire a professional or purchase an entirely new unit.

3. Compressor malfunction

Dehumidifier Blowing Cold Air: Malfunction or Norm?

The compressor works really hard in a dehumidifier and over time, it can start to wear down. It can also be quite noisy, so if you are worried about your machine being the star of the living room, you can take a look at this list of the quietest dehumidifiers Trusted Source 5 Quietest Dehumidifiers Reviewed in Detail (Winter 2023) Looking for a decent dehumidifying device to use in your bedroom, living-room, or a nursery? Get the quietest dehumidifier possible with our guide! hvaclifehack.com .

Fix

Hopefully, your dehumidifier is under warranty, in which case the manufacturer will fix it. If not, you will need to call a repair person. Unfortunately, repairs can be costly and it might actually be more cost-efficient to purchase a new dehumidifier instead of trying to fix it.

4. Coils icing up

Dehumidifier Blowing Cold Air: Malfunction or Norm?

There are a lot of mechanical parts to a dehumidifier. Air goes through a compressor, is cooled to evaporate the air, and is then warmed up and released back into the air, without the moisture. Unfortunately, if the coils within a dehumidifier have any issues, the result can be air that is too cold.

The main reasons coils may ice up is because of buildup from a clogged filter or dirt particles getting into the machine itself. You could also have a humidistat that is malfunctioning. Finally, if you live in a very cold climate, it can be too hard for your dehumidifier to warm the air, leading to a breakdown in the parts.

Fix

Even though having your coils ice up can seem like a major problem, it is actually quite common. The easiest way to fix the issue is to defrost your dehumidifier. There should be a button for this on the display area. Press the button and your dehumidifier will automatically start the defrosting process.

This button enables the machine to stop working so hard and warm air is then circulated around the coils to warm them up again. You may notice that the air coming out of your dehumidifier is cool during this process but once it is over, the air should be warm again.

5. Target humidity levels reached

Dehumidifier Blowing Cold Air: Malfunction or Norm?

One of the most important settings on a dehumidifier is the humidity level. This is measured in a percentage. The ideal setting is between 30 to 50%. While more basic appliances don’t let you set your target humidity level, more advanced models will.

If you are looking for the best dehumidifiers for bathrooms Trusted Source 9 Best Dehumidifiers for Bathroom Reviewed in Detail (Winter 2023) Your bathroom is one of the most humid places in your home. Get the best dehumidifier for bathroom to keep mold at bay! Read our guide for more. hvaclifehack.com , then having this function is incredibly important. You can then ensure that all that steam after a hot shower does not cling to surfaces, causing mold and other bacteria to grow.

Once your unit reaches this ideal level, the compressor will automatically shut off. You may think your machine is still working, but as the desired humidity level has been reached, there is nothing left for the unit to do.

As a result of this desired setting, your machine may automatically switch the fan on. This way, the air is still blown around the room but moisture is not taken out of the air.

Fix

Fixing this issue is perhaps the simplest. Just turn your machine off. You can’t control how the dehumidifier acts after it reaches the target level, so if you notice there is cool air coming out of your dehumidifier, but the air is no longer moist, then turn the machine off until you need to run it again.

6. Low ambient temperature

Dehumidifier Blowing Cold Air: Malfunction or Norm?

How warm is your home naturally? If it is lower than 65 degrees Fahrenheit, your dehumidifier has to work too hard to warm the air up after it undergoes its dehumidification process. These machines are not meant to be heaters.

Fix

If you have very cool air in your room or house, then you will want to consider installing a furnace or an electric heater. Run either to get the ambient temperature up and then turn your dehumidifier on. The combination of the two appliances will allow your air goals to be met.

Final Thoughts

Having a dehumidifier in your home is extremely beneficial. You can decrease the moisture levels so mold won’t grow and you can protect expensive wooden furniture and collectibles. A dehumidifier is meant to circulate air back into a room at room temperature or slightly higher. There may also be an option to change to a fan mode, which will decrease the air temperature. If you have a dehumidifier blowing cold air, however, this can be a sign that there is a problem. While there will hopefully be easy fixes, such as turning off the dehumidifier or defrosting the machine, there may be mechanical issues. While you can call a repair person if your unit isn’t under warranty, this can be more expensive than the unit was.

References

1.
Home measures against low air humidity which may alleviate health problems
Humidity and temperature are fundamental for the balance in the life cycle of living beings and, consequently, for maintaining the well-being of the human population and reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases.
2.
Allergies - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
To evaluate whether you have an allergy, your health care provider will likely:
3.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Aim To determine the relationship between seasonal changes in ambient temperature, humidity and general and specific mortality rates in the area of Zenica-Doboj Canton.
4.
5 Best Energy-Efficient Dehumidifiers (Winter 2023) – The Complete Guide
Need a reliable appliance to reduce the humidity levels of your home and still be economical? We’ve found the best energy-efficient dehumidifiers out there.
5.
5 Quietest Dehumidifiers Reviewed in Detail (Winter 2023)
Looking for a decent dehumidifying device to use in your bedroom, living-room, or a nursery? Get the quietest dehumidifier possible with our guide!
6.
9 Best Dehumidifiers for Bathroom Reviewed in Detail (Winter 2023)
Your bathroom is one of the most humid places in your home. Get the best dehumidifier for bathroom to keep mold at bay! Read our guide for more.
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