Dehumidifier Vs. Air Conditioner: Which Is Best?
High humidity levels inside your home should be a cause for concern for all homeowners. This is because high levels of humidity come with health risks and home damages. Therefore, you should know about the possible solutions to combat high humidity. This way, you can prevent any issues that can occur in your home due to high humidity.
A dehumidifier is one of the first things you need to mitigate this problem. It eliminates the moisture in the air effectively. Two of the most popular dehumidifiers are an air conditioning system and a portable dehumidifier. The evaporator coil in your AC condenses the moisture in the air into liquid and then drained out of your home. It is a good idea to determine which of the two will work best for your particular situation. Understanding the advantages and effectiveness of both can help you determine which is the most viable solution for your home.
You must find the correct option that will resolve your home humidity problems. After all, it can affect the overall comfort and indoor air quality of your entire home. This article will talk about the differences between a portable dehumidifier vs air conditioner. This will allow you to choose which of the two works best when it comes to dehumidifying your home.
What Is Indoor Air Quality?
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration states that one of the primary factors of poor indoor air quality is humidity. This is because it promotes the growth of mold, bacteria, viruses, and mildew. High humidity can also significantly affect a person’s health and cause allergies, breathing difficulties, and other respiratory problems. Individuals who suffer from respiratory illnesses like asthma can also breathe easier in a less humid environment.
Common Signs Of High Humidity
The following are some of the common signs of high humidity in your home:
- Visible mold on your walls, ceilings, and other porous surfaces
- Rotting wood around your home’s interior and exterior
- Foggy windows
- Musty smell of mildew around your home
- Air feels clammy or moist
- Health issues allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems are triggered
High Humidity & Comfort
High humidity affects your indoor air quality. It is vital that you understand not only how this impacts the health of you and your family. Furthermore, it can also wreak havoc around your home. It will make your indoor air feel hotter than it is. High humidity can also cause the paint to peel off your walls and for your floors to warp. Not only that, but a foul odor will permeate around your home, and water stains can be found on your walls and ceilings. All of this can rack up to costly repair bills.
What Is A Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is an equipment that is built to remove the excess moisture from the air. It pulls in the humid air and forces it to pass through cool coils. This will condense the moisture in the air into liquid. The drier air then passes through warm coils before it is redistributed to your home. The moisture is then removed via a drain pan that needs to be emptied regularly. If you are utilizing a whole-house dehumidifier with your HVAC system or if you are using your AC as a standalone dehumidifier, then the water is drained outside automatically.
The cooling process of your AC includes dehumidifying the air in your home even if you do not have a whole-house dehumidifier installed. The summer season brings a more damp and humid air that feels hotter than dry air. The cooling process includes blowing the warm air inside your home through the AC’s evaporator coils. This will remove the moisture in the air and condense it into water.
Portable & Whole-House Dehumidifiers
The two kinds of dehumidifiers are portable and whole-house units. Both types can remove humidity in your home, but there are some noticeable differences. Just as its name implies, a portable humidifier can be moved from one room to the other. This means that it can only dehumidify one room at a time. Whereas, a whole-house dehumidifier works alongside your HVAC unit in removing excess humidity in your whole house. This way, everyone is your home is cool and comfy.
Each of these units has its advantages. Remember that your air conditioning system can cool dry air easier compared to moist or humid air. If there is excess humidity in your home, this can result in higher cooling costs. It also means that your AC might experience more breakdowns as it will strain hard to ensure that your home remains comfortable. A whole-house dehumidifier works hand-in-hand with your AC to ensure that the humidity level is at an optimum level. This way, your home, and your HVAC system are protected.
Portable Dehumidifier Vs. Air Conditioner: Which Works Best?
Using a portable dehumidifier or an AC has its advantages and disadvantages. It all boils down to what you prioritize when choosing between the two. A portable dehumidifier is less costly compared to installing a whole-house dehumidifier. It is also a better option when you want to remove hot, humid air in only one area in your home. For instance, you might have a bathroom that doesn’t have an exhaust fan or window. In this case, a portable dehumidifier is the most viable solution. However, when you want an effective way to remove humidity in your entire house, then go for a whole-house dehumidifier that would work well with your HVAC system. Not only will this type of dehumidifier improve your indoor air quality. It will also minimize the damage to both your AC and home.
A whole-house system definitely has more to offer when it comes to benefits it can bring. You will have reduced cooling costs, and your AC won’t work as hard. Your home and health are less likely to take damage, as well. These are the things you need to consider when thinking about whether to go for a portable or whole-house unit.
A whole-house dehumidifier can help protect you from mold and mildew. It also saves you the hassle of having to check the drip pan every day, something you need to do when you have a portable unit. A whole-house dehumidifier is an excellent choice when you want to lessen your humidity problems while also being used along with your air conditioning system.
Call McAllister Energy To Learn More Indoor Air Quality Solutions
For all your superior cooling and heating needs, do not hesitate to call McAllister Energy. We have some of the best and highly-qualified technicians in Camden County, New Jersey. Each of our techs is NATE certified to conduct HVAC maintenance, repairs, installations, and replacements. We guarantee that all our affordable services are done correctly and on time every time.
All of McAllister Energy’s services are backed with a guarantee. Our tune-up services can help improve your system’s energy efficiency. In turn, your home comfort level will increase without sacrificing your budget. Our experts can also assist you when you want to have high indoor air quality. We have the skills and experience to ensure that all your home comfort needs are met. Your satisfaction is our priority. Schedule an appointment with us today. Call McAllister Energy and receive a free, in-home estimate.
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