Skip to content The function of standard air purifiers is not to dry out the air. The process of dehumidifiers and air purifiers is not the same. Air purifiers don’t remove moisture from the air and are produced to reduce dust and airborne particles from the air. Air purifiers with certain technology may also remove odors and gases.
If you feel that air becomes dry when the air purifier is functioning, it may be caused by other factors including air conditioning, low indoor humidity, or heating.
Does an air purifier reduce moisture?
Air purifiers are not designed to change the humidity levels of the room. Purifiers use technologies such as activated carbon, HEPA filtration,ionization electrostatic filtration, or PCO, that help get cleaner air.
However, dehumidifiers are designed to reduce water vapor from the air causing reduced humidity.
Why does air purifier cause dry air?
When airflow is working, it creates airflow making the air feel different. Evaporation is increased that makes you feel the air drier or cooler though the room has the same moisture level. This feeling becomes strong when you run the purifier at a high fan speed.
Humidity may also be reduced when the air conditioner or heater is turned on. You can use a hygrometer to check a room’s humidity level if you notice dry eyes, dry skin, or dry throat rather than blaming the air purifier.
Can a HEPA air purifier make the room dry?
HEPA air purifiers are intended to filter dust or airborne particles and do not reduce humidity. HEPA filters are known to catch particles including pollen, dust, and airborne particulates and do not remove water vapors.
If you feel dry air in your room, it may be caused by any other factor such as air conditioning, low humidity, ventilation, or heating.
Is my dry skin caused by an air purifier?
An air purifier doesn’t remove water vapor from the air that can lead to dry skin. You may feel your skin drier due to increased airflow because moving air can increase evaporation from the skin. Your skin may feel drier if the indoor humidity levels are low.
To avoid dryness, you must maintain normal levels of humidity in your room through humidifiers or dehumidifiers.
Difference between an air purifier and dehumidifier
Air purifiers and dehumidifiers serve different purposes;
| Air purifier | Dehumidifier |
| It filters dust and airborne pollutants | It reduces moisture |
| Can target smoke, pollen, and dust particulates | Helps maintain moisture levels |
| Can reduce airborne particles | Helps prevent extreme humidity |
| Fit uses filters and purification technologies | Collects and drains excess water |
| Do not reduce humidity | Designed to lower humidity |
Thus, an air purifier will help if you want to remove particulates from the air. On the other hand, humidifiers or dehumidifiers can maintain humidity levels in a room.
Can an air purifier dry out air when you use it continuously?
If you use the air purifier for extended periods, it will not affect the humidity level. Yet, it will process more air and make you feel drier because of improved air circulation.
You can use a hygrometer to ensure the level of humidity in your room rather than assuming that air purifier is the reason.
What is an ideal level of indoor humidity?
Humidity level that is considered normal ranges between 30% to 50%. Keeping these levels maintained helps improve the environment and prevent excess dryness or high moisture.
For areas where humidity is high, use of dehumidifiers is recommended. For areas with very low humidity, people use humidifiers to keep the levels normal. You can use an air purifier along with any of these devices to make your indoor air cleaner and free of particles.
Can you use an air purifier along with a humidifier?
Yes, both the devices are used to improve the indoor environment, but they serve different purposes. Thus, they can be used together in any room.
Remember to keep both devices at a significant distance. Humidifiers release excess moisture that may reach the purifier and cause moisture buildup inside the unit. You must read the placement instructions for both units and follow them to get effective results.
Does an air purifier improve humidity?
An air purifier is designed to clean the air from pollutants and doesn’t change the humidity level. You can use a hygrometer to check the humidity level in a room. Use a humidifier if the humidity is very low and a dehumidifier will help if indoor humidity is too high.
FAQs
Does an air purifier dry out the air?
So, the function of an air purifier is to clean pollutants from the air without changing the humidity level.
Is HEPA air purifier used to make the air dry?
HEPA filters are used to remove airborne particles and do not remove water vapor.
Does an air purifier reduce humidity?
No, reduced humidity is not caused by air purifiers because they work to clean pollutants from the air.
Why does my room feel dry while using an air purifier?
Air purifiers cause improved air circulation that evaporates moisture from your skin and makes the environment feel drier.
Should I use an air purifier along with a humidifier?
Both devices serve different purposes, so you may use both devices in the same room. However, you must read manual instructions to get best results.
Final thoughts
An air purifier is not designed to dry out the air. It is used to clean pollutants from the air and do not remove water vapor.
If you feel a dry environment, you may use a hygrometer to identify humidity levels. Dryness may also be caused by air conditioning, ventilation, or heating.
Use an air purifier to get cleaner air, while you may use dehumidifiers or humidifiers to adjust humidity levels of a room.
