Portable Dehumidifier Vs. Air Conditioner: Which Is Best?
Do you find yourself increasingly worried about the high levels of humidity in your home? If this is the case, it may be time to explore possible solutions to mitigate the potential damages that arise from high humidity.
One of the most effective solutions to consider is a dehumidifier, which effectively removes moisture from your home. There are two types of dehumidifiers to choose from: a portable dehumidifier or an air conditioner. While an air conditioner’s cooling process can remove humidity from your home, it may not be the best or only solution for your specific situation. It is important that you understand the benefits and effectiveness of a dehumidifier vs. air conditioner to determine the most effective solution. Finding a solution that improves indoor air quality standards and general comfort throughout your entire home is crucial in addressing humidity problems.
Portable Dehumidifier Vs. Air Conditioner: Which Option Should You Choose?
Contents
This article outlines the distinctions between a portable dehumidifier and an air conditioner, allowing you to decide which device is most suitable for dehumidifying your home.
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What Is Indoor Air Quality?
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) states that humidity is among the leading factors contributing to subpar indoor air quality. High humidity in the house creates an ideal environment for the growth of mold, mildew, viruses, and bacteria, which can adversely impact health. Increased humidity in a home can result in respiratory infections and breathing difficulties. Those with asthma or other respiratory ailments typically experience less difficulty breathing in lower humidity conditions.
Common Symptoms Of High Humidity
Signs of excessive humidity levels in a residence are recognizable through various symptoms, such as the appearance of visible mold, decaying wood, and fogged-up windows. A musty odor of mildew and a sensation of damp or sticky air are also indications of elevated humidity levels. Some people may experience intensified allergy symptoms or heightened respiratory issues, which might not be immediately noticeable.
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Impact of High Humidity on Your Comfort
Excessive moisture in the air can compromise indoor air quality, impacting your family’s health and your home’s condition. Besides contributing to various health issues, high humidity levels can make your home feel warmer than the actual temperature, causing discomfort. High humidity can also lead to warped floors, peeling paint, and unpleasant smells, leaving unsightly stains on walls and ceilings. Such damages can quickly accumulate and result in costly repairs.
What Is A Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is an appliance that eliminates excess humidity from the air in your home. The unit draws in humid air and passes it over cool coils, which condenses the moisture out of the air. The dry air is then passed over warm coils and released back into your home. The removed moisture is collected in a drain pan that requires periodic emptying. When using a whole-house dehumidifier as part of your HVAC system or an air conditioner alone, the excess moisture drains outdoors automatically.
An air conditioner naturally removes humidity during the cooling process, even without a whole-house dehumidifier. The summer air is typically damp and humid, holding more heat than dry air. As hot air from your home flows over the evaporator coils of an air conditioner, it removes moisture from the air as it condenses.
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Portable & Whole-House Dehumidifiers
There are two distinct types of dehumidifiers available – portable and whole-house units. While both are designed to remove excess humidity in a home, there are some fundamental differences between them. A portable dehumidifier is precisely as its name suggests – it can be moved around easily from one room to another. However, it only removes humidity from one area of your home at a time. In contrast, a whole-house dehumidifier is integrated into your home’s HVAC system and can extract excess moisture from every part of your home, ensuring the comfort of all occupants.
Air conditioning units are far more effective at cooling dry air than humid or damp air. High humidity levels in a house can lead to increased cooling costs and frequent air conditioning breakdowns as it struggles to maintain a comfortable temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier works with your air conditioning unit, extracting moisture from the air throughout your home. This not only helps to keep your home comfortable but also protects your HVAC system.
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Portable Dehumidifier Vs. Air Conditioner
Choosing between a portable dehumidifier and an air conditioner for removing excess moisture in your home includes weighing the pros and cons of each option and, ultimately, what matters most to you. While purchasing a portable dehumidifier may be a cheaper alternative to installing a whole-house dehumidifier, it is only ideal for those needing to remove humidity from one specific room. For instance, a bathroom without a window or exhaust fan may benefit from a portable unit. However, a whole-house dehumidifier that works with your HVAC system is typically the best option for effectively removing humidity from your entire home. A portable unit has its limitations and cannot provide the same benefits as a whole-house system in terms of improving air quality and preventing damage.
Removing excess humidity from one area at a time is insufficient. It can lead to increased cooling costs, added stress on your air conditioning system, and potential damage to your home and health. If you want to improve your home’s overall air quality while protecting your family from mold and mildew, a whole-house dehumidifier is a great option. It also requires less maintenance than a portable unit and eliminates the need to monitor a drip pan constantly. Opting for a whole-house dehumidifier will allow you to control humidity throughout your entire home while working in tandem with your air conditioner.
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Call Townsend Energy For Indoor Air Quality Solutions
Townsend Energy offers outstanding heating and cooling services in Northeastern Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire & Maine. We hire the best industry-certified technicians who can provide you with excellent HVAC tune-ups, repairs, installations, and more. Each of our techs has the knowledge and experience to service your HVAC system correctly.
Townsend Energy guarantees the most competitive heating and cooling service costs in the area. Our maintenance services can improve comfort and energy efficiency while reducing home cooling costs. If you want to improve your indoor air quality, look no further. Our experts know the most advanced solutions to achieve all of your home comfort needs. Our services are affordable, and we back all of our work with a guarantee to ensure your satisfaction. To schedule an appointment, give Townsend Energy a call today. We offer free, in-home estimates.
Contact us now at (800) 722-4101 to find out more! Click the link to view our service area.