Condensation can be a nuisance in the winter, and if left unchecked, it can develop into more serious problems, such as mould growth, property damage, and health issues.
While the best dehumidifiers are an obvious solution, many come with a hefty price tag, so it’s no surprise that people look for more affordable alternatives – or ones they already have in their cupboards – like a cooling fan, for example.
To find out whether this could work, or if it will simply spread the moisture around the window, I chatted with some air quality experts to hear their thoughts and tested it myself in my condensation-prone kitchen. Keep reading to find out what happened.
Can you get rid of condensation with a cooling fan?
Since my kitchen windows steam up almost every day in winter, I was eager to try this condensation hack after seeing it online. The next time I noticed the windows had misted up, I grabbed my trusty fan and placed it next to the glass – and, to my delight, the condensation quickly began to evaporate.
However, after speaking with Chris Michael, founder of Meaco, it seemed there was more going on than met the eye, and this wasn't a quick fix to my problem.
"A cooling fan won’t remove condensation," he explains. "You need a dehumidifier to extract moisture (water vapour) from the air."
It turns out that all a cooling fan will do is move the condensation around your window, rather than tackling the root cause of the issue (which is excess moisture in the air). If I wanted to stop window condensation from forming, using a dehumidifier or extractor fan would be a better solution.
In fact, if you live in a house with mould problems, you might make the situation worse – spreading the spores around your room. The best way to solve condensation is by ensuring your home has sufficient ventilation, controlling the humidity to a normal level, upgrading your insulation, and considering positive input ventilation.
The surface may appear to dry faster, but this doesn’t reduce the total moisture in the air. Instead, the moisture will simply redistribute elsewhere in the room, potentially settling on other surfaces and leaving you in the same situation you started with.
Laura Bradbury, Head of eCommerce at Vonhaus, adds, “Fans don’t remove moisture, but they can help reduce condensation when used alongside a dehumidifier or with proper ventilation. A fan with a strong airflow, such as a tower or pedestal fan, can help circulate air around windows and walls where condensation tends to build up. The goal is to keep the air moving and reduce cold spots where moisture collects.”
Michael tells me that there is one other thing a cooling fan could be handy with – and that's drying your laundry. "When used in conjunction with a dehumidifier, it can dry laundry in half the time without adding any real cost. This means that clothes can be dried in under two hours."
Our top dehumidifier picks
Voted the best dehumidifier by our testers, this machine can extract up to 20 litres per day and comes with a high-quality HEPA filter.
Operating at just 35 dB (similar to a soft whisper), we were impressed by how quiet this machine is and how effectively it removed condensation from our window.
Our top choice for drying clothes, this model features three settings – including a laundry mode – and an integrated handle for portability.
Chris and his partner Michelle started Meaco in 1991. Meaco is now regarded internationally as a major player in the dehumidifier industry selling to 20+ countries throughout Europe, North America and South Africa. Meaco sets the benchmark for quality and development in its sector, leading by example and reducing the energy consumption of its appliances.
Laura Bradbury is Head of eCommerce at online homeware and garden retailer Vonhaus, and is responsible for developing and growing the brand.
After testing this condensation hack on my windows, I hope it will save you from wasting time – or worse, making the problem bigger than it already is!
If you're struggling with condensation on your toilet cisterns, we've put together a helpful guide on how to deal with it and prevent it from happening in the first place. Or, if you're interested in finding the best extractor fans, our team of experts has rounded up their top picks.
