If you are keen on improving the quality of your indoor air, an air purifier and a dehumidifier are must-have devices for clean and fresh indoor air. However, if you are not experienced in matters of indoor air quality, you will be interested to understand how each device works. In this guide, we shall compare air purifier vs dehumidifier to help you understand their distinct roles, how they differ, and how they can complement each other to improve your indoor air quality.
Table of Contents
Air purifier vs dehumidifier; Definition of terms
What is an Air Purifier?
An air purifier is an air purification device that cleans the indoor air by removing most of the common indoor air pollutants such as pollen, dust, pet dander, smoke, odors, bacteria, and viruses to improve indoor air quality.
Air purifiers work by drawing the contaminated air inside the device using a fan where it passes through air filters to trap and remove airborne contaminants before releasing the cleaned air for re-circulation. By ensuring the indoor air is clean and safe to breathe, air purifiers make the indoor spaces safe and comfortable for all inhabitants and especially for those suffering from allergies and asthma.
There are different types of air purifiers on the market today and they vary depending on the type of air purification method that they use. The most popular models include;
- HEPA Air Purifiers- They use HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters which are the most effective air filters as they can remove up to 99.99% of indoor air pollutants. They can trap and remove airborne contaminants as small as 0.3 microns such as dust particles, and allergens like pollen, pet dander, and pet dander.
- Activated Carbon Air Purifiers- They use activated carbon air filters to clean indoor air by trapping and removing air pollutants. They are particularly recommended for the removal of harmful toxins such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), smoke, and bad odors.
- UVC Air Purifiers- They use Ultra-Violet (UV) light to kill airborne contaminants such as viruses and bacteria in your indoor air. UVC light technology is highly used in many medical settings to sterilize equipment and other surfaces where viruses and bacteria can hide.
- Ionic Air Purifiers- Ionizers don’t rely on air filters to clean indoor air. Instead, they release negatively charged ions which attach themselves to positively-charged air particulates making them heavy to float in the air. The charged ions become heavy and they drop to the ground or on other surfaces around your home. One of the down-side of ionizers is that they release ozone and a high volume of ozone gas in your indoor air can have a negative health impact.
What is a dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from the air to help maintain recommended humidity levels. A dehumidifier does not clean the air and its sole purpose is to control the humidity levels by removing excess moisture in your indoor air.
Dehumidifier works by drawing air with excess moisture into the device through a fan where it passes through a series of coils for preheating. The warm air is then released back into the room for re-circulation. The excess moisture that is condensed in the first set of coils is collected in a tank which needs to be emptied once in a while.
An indoor environment with excess moisture can be irritating for persons suffering from respiratory conditions such as asthma. High humidity levels also create a perfect environment for viruses, bacteria, mold, and fungi spores to spread.
Dehumidifiers are highly recommended for basements as they are more prone to dampness which is a recipe for mold and mildew spreading.
Types of dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers come in different types and sizes. You need to, first of all, assess the level of dampness and the size of your indoor space to help you determine the best type of dehumidifier to buy. If you have small to mid-sized rooms, portable dehumidifiers are the best choice.
The main types of dehumidifiers that are used to regulate indoor humidity levels are;
Refrigerant dehumidifiers
Refrigerant dehumidifiers are also known as mechanical compressor dehumidifiers. They use a compressor to remove excess moisture from the indoor air. Indoor air with excess moisture is passed through a series of cooling coils that condenses the humidity and collects it into a tank.
Refrigerant dehumidifiers are big and ideal for larger spaces such as offices and other commercial spaces.
Desiccant dehumidifiers
Desiccant dehumidifiers are the most common types and they use a wheel that is fitted with a moisture-absorbing material that absorbs moisture from the indoor air as it rotates gently. There is an internal heater that dries the material at intervals, therefore, eliminating the need for frequent replacement.
Desiccant dehumidifiers are small and portable making them ideal for use in smaller spaces. They are also less noisy compared to refrigerant dehumidifiers.
Whole house ventilation dehumidifiers
Whole-house dehumidifiers are specifically installed in a home’s HVAC system. They are a bit expensive though they are more effective in removing excess moisture in your home thus, improving the overall indoor air quality.
Air purifier vs dehumidifier; pros and cons
Depending on your needs, you will decide which device will help solve your indoor air quality problem. To help you make a better decision, let’s focus on the pros and cons of air purifiers and dehumidifiers.
Pros of air purifiers
- Air purifiers help clean the indoor air by removing most of the air pollutants
- Air purifiers are available in various sizes and models making them ideal for use in both small and larger spaces
- Air purifiers help persons suffering from respiratory conditions such as allergies and asthma live in a safe and conducive environment and also sleep better.
Cons of air purifiers
- Some filter-based air purifiers require regular filter replacement and it can be expensive in the long-term
- Ionic air purifiers release ozone and high levels of ozone gas indoors can cause negative health complications
Pros of dehumidifier
- Dehumidifiers are great for improving indoor air quality by absorbing excess moisture from indoor air which helps control respiratory issues
- They help maintain recommended humidity levels thus, eliminating dampness with accelerating mold growth and the spread of viruses and bacteria.
Cons of dehumidifier
- Dehumidifiers require regular maintenance like emptying the water tank
- Bigger dehumidifier models are noisy
Factors to consider when buying an air purifier
When shopping for the best air purifier to help clean your indoor air, you need to put the following things into consideration;
- Room size- For smaller rooms, use small portable air purifiers. For bigger rooms, use bigger and more powerful air purifier models.
- Noise level-Modern air purifiers are quiet. Check the rating of an air purifier to see if there are fan noise issues before you buy.
- Filter type- Air purifiers fitted with True HEPA air filters are the most effective in trapping and removing 99.9% of common airborne contaminants. Air purifiers with washable air filters also lower regular filter replacement costs.
- Price- Different types of air purifiers vary in price depending on their quality and the air purification technology used. Depending on your budget, you can get an air purifier device starting from $100.
Factors to consider when buying a dehumidifier
Just like air purifiers, there are certain dynamics that you need to consider when buying a dehumidifier. They include;
- The noise level- Dehumidifiers can generate noise and this can be irritating if you plan to use them in your bedroom or living room. Check noise level ratings and always go for the ones with the lowest noise level for maximum comfort and peace of mind.
- Tank size- the excess moisture removed from the indoor air is condensed and stored in a collection tank and it requires to be drained frequently. If you live in areas with high humidity levels, always go for dehumidifiers with bigger water tanks to reduce the frequency of draining the water tank.
- Price- Dehumidifier models also vary in price just like air purifiers. Depending on your budget and needs, you can get a good quality dehumidifier device from as low as $100 to as high as $1,000 for the bigger models.
Air purifier vs dehumidifier FAQs
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Is a dehumidifier the same as an air purifier?
No. Dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the indoor air to regulate the humidity levels while an air purifier cleans the indoor air by removing most of the common air pollutants such as dust mites, pollen, smoke, pet dander, and molds.
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Can you use an air purifier and a dehumidifier together?
Yes, you can use both air purifier and dehumidifier in the same room as they both perform distinct functions. An air purifier will help clean the indoor air while a dehumidifier will help maintain required humidity levels by absorbing excess moisture.
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Does a dehumidifier remove dust?
No. the work of a dehumidifier is to solely remove excess moisture in indoor air to regulate humidity levels.
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Does the air purifier dehumidify the room?
No. Air purifiers do not dehumidify a room. They help in cleaning the indoor air by removing the most common air contaminants thus, improving indoor air quality.
Air Purifier vs Dehumidifier; Wrapping Up
So which is better when choosing between an air purifier vs dehumidifier? The correct answer boils down to your specific needs and the problem you want to solve since both air purifiers and dehumidifiers perform different roles in improving indoor air quality. If your goal is to reduce mold and mildew growth, a dehumidifier is a great choice as it will help remove excess moisture from your indoor air.
If your indoor air is polluted and you need to clean the indoor air, going for an air purifier is the best choice. If you are dealing with both excessive moisture content and air contaminants, then you can consider buying both air purifier and dehumidifier devices if you have enough budget.