Have you recently bought a dehumidifier and felt your throat become slightly dry? I’ve been in your shoes before. I was excited to use a dehumidifier at home to get more comfortable sleep. But when I woke up the next morning with chapped lips, at first I wondered about one thing: can a dehumidifier dehydrate you?
The simple answer is no. A dehumidifier can reduce excess moisture and humidity in your house, making the indoor air feel dry. However, it doesn’t affect the water inside your body.
Below, I will reveal why a dehumidifier cannot dehydrate you, even though it feels like that sometimes. I’ll also answer some of your questions about this appliance. But first, let me briefly cover the definition of dehydration.
What is Dehydration?
Dehydration is when your body lacks the necessary amount of fluids to function properly. It can happen during vigorous physical activity when you lose water in your body because of excessive sweating. Dehydration can also occur when you’re taking certain medications or following a particular diet. Other causes of water loss include fever, diarrhea, and a sickness that causes vomiting.
Below are some of the signs that you are dehydrated.
- Excessive thirst
- Dry mouth
- Fewer visits to the bathroom to pee
- Dark yellow urine
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Dry skin
- Rapid heartbeat and breathing
Can a Dehumidifier Dehydrate You?
Running a dehumidifier can sometimes lead to dry indoor air. As such, your mouth can feel sore or dry. You may also have chapped lips or feel thirsty.
However, a dehumidifier doesn’t dehydrate you. The device doesn’t affect bodily fluids, even if it is running throughout the day or you’re sitting near it.
Why Can’t a Dehumidifier Dehydrate You?
Now, you may be curious why a dehumidifier cannot dehydrate you.
Well, the answer is simple.
A dehumidifier is specifically designed to reduce air moisture only. It doesn’t affect bodily fluids at all.
Most devices allow you to set the humidity level between 30% and 50%. They don’t even reach 20% humidity, which is the lowest and safest level for your body.
Dehydration is mainly caused by excessive sweating or water loss and heat. Always drink enough water to replenish the fluids necessary for your body.
Can a Dehumidifier Make You Sick?
Although a dehumidifier cannot cause dehydration, it can produce negative effects when used incorrectly.
For example, if you don’t adjust the settings appropriately, the dehumidifier can dry the air too much. It can lead to discomfort, sore throat, and sometimes, chapped lips.
A dirty dehumidifier can also trigger allergies, cough, and mild sickness. That is because the device will simply circulate all the dust mites and dead skin in your room instead of eliminating them. So if you have owned the unit for quite some time, check if the filters require cleaning.
Is it Okay to Sleep in a Room with a Dehumidifier?
Generally, it is safe to sleep in a room with the dehumidifier on. It can reduce excess moisture and humidity in your room, preventing you from waking up sweaty. It can also improve sleep quality by eliminating mold, which triggers allergies.
However, you must consider several factors before placing a dehumidifier in your bedroom. For example, if you live in an area with a dry climate, a dehumidifier is unnecessary.
Choosing the ideal settings is also important. If you’re the type of person who sleeps with their mouth open, you might wake up with a sore throat because of the dry air.
Finally, you must decide on the proper placement of the device. Avoid putting it against walls or furniture. Instead, figure out the source of excess moisture in the room. Usually, it is near windows.
What Are the Downsides of Dehumidifiers?
Dehumidifiers are great devices that can remove excess moisture from the air. However, they still have several downsides.
First, poorly maintained units can trigger severe allergies and respiratory health problems instead of preventing them. They spread dust mites and other harmful particles in the air. To avoid these, clean the filters regularly.
There is also a risk of fire and shock if you overuse or misuse the dehumidifier. Consider a device with an auto-off function in case of overheating. And make sure to plug it directly into an outlet and not on an extension cord.
Plus, those who suffer from eczema, dry cough, and stuffy nose may find the dry air uncomfortable. It can lead to consistent flare-ups or difficulty in breathing. Fortunately, you can prevent these by setting the dehumidifier to the correct humidity level.
How to Pick the Right Dehumidifier?
Still don’t own a dehumidifier? Or perhaps you’re looking to upgrade your old dehumidifier. Either way, I’m here to teach you the features to consider when buying a dehumidifier.
Humidistat
This is one of the most important features of a dehumidifier. It allows you to monitor and read the current humidity level of the room. If the moisture level goes beyond or below the recommended figures, the humidistat lets you change it with ease.
Auto Shut-Off
Consider a humidistat with auto shut-off and restart functions. These can instantly turn off the device when it overheats or once the tank becomes full. They minimize the risk of fire. At the same time, they can help reduce energy costs.
Self-Timer
A timer is different from an auto shut-off. This function lets you choose the period when the dehumidifier runs. For example, you can set the timer to operate for only half the day to save money on electrical costs.
Finally, get a unit with a timer. Note that this is completely different from a humidistat. Using a timer lets you program the device to turn on or off during specific periods. For example, you can set the dehumidifier to run for only half a night. You don’t have to bother getting up in the middle of the night. Plus, you minimize electricity costs.
Size
The size or capacity of the dehumidifier depends on the amount of space you have.
If you’ll remove excess moisture from a tiny room without a bathroom, then a small unit works.
Get a 30-pint or 50-pint dehumidifier for average-sized rooms.
For larger spaces, a 70-pint dehumidifier may be necessary.
Always check the capacity of the unit before buying one.
Energy Efficiency
Dehumidifiers can be expensive to operate. If you want to save money on electric bills, get an energy-efficient model. Look for one with Energy Star certification. It uses less power, but it still performs tasks successfully.
Price
The last factor to consider is the price of the dehumidifier. It varies depending on the size, durability, and number of advanced features the unit has.
For example, a model with auto shut-off and timer functions is considerably more expensive than a basic one. However, it can be worth the money in the long run. So, don’t be afraid to spend an extra amount on an efficient dehumidifier.
Conclusion
You know a dehumidifier can make the air dry by removoing excess moisture from the air. But you may wonder whether it affects bodily fluids and hydration levels as well.
Fortunately, a dehumidifier doesn’t really dehydrate you. If you set the humidity levels too low it can feels like it does because of the dry air, which may lead to a sore throat or chapped lips. These are easy to avoid, though. Simply set the humidity level between 30% and 50% to ensure your comfort.
Do you have other questions about indoor air quality or using a dehumidifier? Visit our contact page to submit your concerns, and I’ll get back to you soon!
