UK summers are hot. And as temperatures are only set to get hotter over the next few years, more and more of us are assessing our home appliances to see if they can help us beat the heat. But does an air purifier cool a room?
The best air purifiers are already among the most popular home appliances on the market today, with top-rated models offering so many unexpected air purifier perks that they’re well worth the investment. But while we all know that this trusty appliance can (quite literally) help you breathe easier at home, it has us questioning whether it can go one step further.
So, can an air purifier help to keep you and your home cool during the summer months? I asked air quality experts for their take, and I have both good news and bad news.
As Ideal Home’s resident air quality expert, I wholeheartedly believe that every home should have an air purifier, but there are many things you should know before buying an air purifier - especially if you’re wondering if it cools a room. In fact, I have bad news on that front.
Just as a dehumidifier doesn’t cool a room, neither does an air purifier. This is explained by Chris Michael, Managing Director of Meaco.
He says, ‘An air purifier does not cool a room. Air purifiers are designed to improve air quality by removing pollutants, allergens, and other airborne particles through filtration. While air purifiers can circulate air, providing a slight breeze, they do not reduce the temperature of the air.’
In fact, it’s important to note that most of the best fans don’t technically cool a room either. Fans work by circulating the air in a room, which makes you feel colder (which is why an oscillating fan is always better than a still fan) - but they don’t actively reduce the room's temperature.
If you desperately want to cool a room down, you’ll need one of the best portable air conditioners for the job instead. But while the bad news is that air purifiers don’t actively cool a room down, there’s a reason why it’s still one of my favourite heatwave essentials - and that’s because an air purifier can make you feel way more comfortable during hot weather.
Should you run an air purifier in the summer?
The short answer is yes, you definitely should use an air purifier in the summer, especially if you are sensitive to pollen or pollution. In fact, summer is one of the best times to run an air purifier, as it consistently circulates the air, often creating a slight ‘breeze’ that can reduce a room's stuffiness and make it feel fresher.
Kate explains, ‘Think of it more as a gentle puff of filtered air rather than a proper breeze you get with a fan.’
As air purifiers also help with allergies, hay fever sufferers can also rest easy knowing that they’re still able to open their windows to cool down a house during the height of pollen season. This can, in turn, also help you sleep better.
Plus, there are air-purifying fans to consider, as they can help you feel cooler during hotter weather in the UK. These are traditional fans - typically tower fans - equipped with a HEPA filter to remove any airborne pollutants from your room.
Of course, it’s important to note that these fans still don’t actively cool a room, even if it's a Dyson. But they can make you feel cooler, making all the difference when the outside temperatures are rising.
Fan and air purifier top picks
Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 (TP11)
Our Senior Digital Editor, Jenny, loved this air-purifying fan when she tested it. It offers that classic Dyson bladeless design, while also offering purifying features.
Russell Hobbs RHBLDL12 Bladeless Tower Fan
After testing this out for myself, this is the model I use in my home. This air purifying fan is affordable and extremely easy to use.
Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 T10i Air Purifier
This is actually a 3-in-1 appliance, and our tester loved that this served as an air purifier, fan and heater for the winter months, too.
FAQs
Does an air purifier help with hot weather?
In terms of design, air purifiers will not help with hot weather. They’re designed to focus on the quality of the air, removing any airborne pollutants or allergens from your home.
Katie Lilywhote, air treatment expert at AO.com, explains, 'while an air purifier can help to make the air in your home feel more breathable during the muggier days, air purifiers don’t cool the air.'
'Instead, your appliance will filter out any dust, pollen or general nasties so the air feels much fresher, which can be a welcome relief when it becomes hotter. Bear in mind, your air purifier can also really help remove the headache of allergies or hay fever.'
And while air purifiers can let off a slight breeze that may make you feel cooler during hot weather, they won’t cool down a room or lower the temperature. If you want to do this, you’ll need to buy a fan with an in-built air purifier to get the best of both worlds.
Is air purifier good for air conditioned room?
Yes! As air purifiers and air conditioners are two different appliances with two different purposes, they won’t counteract each other and will be able to work alongside each other in harmony.
'Air purifiers running in an air-conditioned room is the perfect pairing,' explains Katie Lilywhite, AO.com's air treatment expert.
'Air conditioners will circulate air to cool the space, while your air purifier can work to filter out finer particles like dust and pollen to make that cool air much fresher. When combined, the pair create a cool and clean environment which can work wonders for those allergy sufferers or simply if you’re looking to breathe easy during a heatwave. Be sure to leave enough space for these appliances to breathe and don’t tuck them into corners!'
Sure, an air purifier might not technically cool a room, but it's still a worthwhile investment. Have you invested in an air purifier fan yet? Let us know in the comments.
