Dehumidifier Vs. Air Conditioner: Which Is Best?
It can be concerning when your home has high humidity. After all, this can come with health risks and can cause damage to your home. Therefore, it is a good idea to think of ways to solve this issue before the problems of high humidity do not escalate into something much worse.
One of the solutions you might want to consider is a dehumidifier. This machine works by effectively removing moisture from the air inside your home. Two of the common types of dehumidifiers are a portable dehumidifier and an air conditioning unit. A homeowner needs to understand the advantages and effectiveness of each to determine which one will best work for your home. It is crucial to find a solution that will address all your problems regarding your home’s humidity, indoor air quality, and comfort.
Dehumidifier Vs. Air Conditioner: Which Is Best?
Table of Contents
Read on and find what makes a portable dehumidifier different from an air conditioner. This will allow you to select the device that will best reduce the humidity levels in your home.
What Is Indoor Air Quality?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, states that humidity is one of the common reasons behind poor indoor air quality (IAQ). High humidity encourages mold, bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens to grow. These can be health risks and cause respiratory and breathing problems. People who have asthma and other respiratory illnesses can generally breathe easier in less humid environments.
What Is A Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is a device that removes the excess moisture from the air inside your home or building. It works by drawing the humid air inside the machine and forcing it to pass through cold coils. As a result, the water vapor will condense into water. Next, the drier air will pass through warm coils before it is released back inside your home. The condensed water is collected in a drain pan that should be emptied periodically. If you have a whole-house dehumidifier attached to your HVAC system or just have an air conditioning system, the moisture is disposed of automatically.
The cooling process of your air conditioner also removes excess moisture from the air. Therefore, this job is taken care of even if you do not have a whole-house dehumidifier. After all, the summer months typically have damp and humid air. This type of air tends to have more heat than dry air. When this air passes through your AC’s evaporator coils, the excess moisture is removed through condensation, improving your air quality.
Common Symptoms Of High Humidity
Several signs that your home is experiencing high humidity are visible mold, foggy windows, and rotting wood. There is also a musty odor permeating throughout the area. Your skin will feel clammy or moist as well. Some symptoms that are not as noticeable include your allergies being triggered often or increased asthma attacks.
High Humidity & Comfort
High humidity influences your home’s air quality and your family’s health and well-being. It can also make your home feel uncomfortable as it will feel hotter inside your home than it actually is. High humidity can also affect your home’s aesthetic as it causes paint to peel and floors to warp. It also causes unpleasant smells and stains to appear on your ceilings and walls. These problems can quickly pile up and cost an arm and a leg to repair.
Portable & Whole-House Dehumidifiers
The two kinds of dehumidifiers are portable and whole-house. Both are capable of removing high humidity inside a house. However, there are also a few notable differences. A portable dehumidifier means that it can be easily carried and moved from one room to the other. This allows it to work in one area at a time only. In comparison, a whole-house dehumidifier works hand-in-hand with your HVAC system so it can dehumidify your whole house and ensure comfort for everyone.
While considering the benefits each system has to give, keep in mind that your AC cools dry air easier than moist or humid air. Having high humidity in your house means that your cooling costs will be higher, and your A/C unit will experience frequent breakdowns. It will have to strain to maintain a comfortable house as well. A whole-house dehumidifier works with your HVAC system to remove the excess humidity throughout your house. This way, your HVAC system, and home remain in tiptop shape for a long time.
Portable Dehumidifier Vs. Air Conditioner: Which Option Should You Choose?
Using a portable dehumidifier versus an air conditioning system to remove excess water in the indoor air has its own pros and cons. What matters the most is considering what your home needs before you make a decision. A portable dehumidifier is less expensive than installing a whole-house dehumidifier. Opt to use a portable dehumidifier if you only need to remove the excess moisture in one room. For instance, you might have a bathroom with no exhaust fan or window so putting a portable dehumidifier inside it is your best choice. On the other hand, if you are looking for an effective way to remove the humidity in your entire home, choose to install a whole-house dehumidifier instead.
The Limits Of Portable Dehumidifiers
A portable unit has its limits when it comes to controlling the humidity in your entire house. Whereas a whole-house dehumidifier helps improve the air quality while also minimizing HVAC system damages. Removing the moisture in the air of one area at a time in your home does not have the benefits that a whole-house unit has. It will result in increased cooling costs, AC wear and tear, potential health risks, and damages to your home. All of which needs to be considered carefully.
If you want to improve your home’s indoor air quality while also protecting your family’s health and well-being, consider installing a whole-house dehumidifier. This type of dehumidifier does not need as much maintenance, and you do not need to check on the drip pan every day like you would with a portable unit. A whole-house dehumidifier is an excellent choice for homeowners who want to reduce their home’s humidity and eliminate the problems that come with it. It also allows you to use a dehumidifier and a cooling system simultaneously.
Call Hart Home Comfort For Superior Indoor Air Quality Solutions
Hart Home Comfort provides HVAC services in Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Queens, New York. We have highly trained and professionally certified technicians for all your HVAC needs, including boiler maintenance, AC repairs, furnace installations, and more. All our skilled techs have extensive knowledge and years of experience to ensure all our services are done correctly and promptly.
Rest assured, our company has one of the most competitive HVAC service rates in the area. We can increase your comfort, quality, and energy efficiency while reducing your monthly energy bills. We can also recommend the best solutions to achieve the indoor air quality level you need. All our services are backed with a guarantee because your satisfaction is our top priority. Call Hart Home Comfort and schedule an appointment today for a free, in-home estimate.
For any questions about what Hart Home Comfort can do for you, give us a call today. Click here to contact us now or call us at (631) 667-3200 to find out more!