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Both air purifiers and dehumidifiers are used to maintain appropriate indoor air quality.
They work in very different ways and will have different effects on the home, but both products may be necessary in order to achieve air that is free of pollutants and has the right humidity level.
Whether you have one or both of these machines already or you’re looking to purchase both, it is a good idea to do your research and find out how they interact and what benefits they can introduce to your home.
Let’s get started.
Purpose Of An Air Purifier
Air purifiers are machines that do exactly what their name suggests; they purify the air inside your home. Some models are as simply as air exchangers that will swap the heavily polluted air inside the home with fresher outdoor air, but most models are more sophisticated and can actually trap the contaminants in the air to achieve the highest level of cleanliness possible. Most air purifiers will contain a HEPA filter that can filter components down to 0.3 microns, but some other alternatives include activated carbon filters, UV light, charged ions, and various combinations of these methods.
HEPA air purifiers remove various particulates from the air that can affect your health, including mold spores, dust mites, various microorganisms, and allergens such as pollen and pet dander. Models that have a dual filtration system (HEPA filter and carbon filter) will be able to remove odours and gases as well such as smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other airborne contaminants. Many ionizers and UV purifiers will include a true HEPA filter in order to maximise the versatility of the machine and the purity of the air since they aren’t as effective on their own.
Removing components such as allergens and microbes from the air will improve the health of the occupants in the home, and removing the dust can result in more efficient HVAC systems and a cleaner home. Plus, with the removal of mold spores, you’ll be able to alleviate the musty odors in your home as well. The best air purifiers will be able to tackle every aspect of cleaner air with multiple stages of air purification.
Most air purifiers will be single room units, but there are a couple types that can be installed by professionals directly into your HVAC system. These will be the most effective and versatile units, but they will cost more. If your home experiences a lot of contamination from cooking smells, smoke, or anything else, a whole-house model may be the right alternative.
Purpose of A Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers are designed to reduce the amount of moisture and heat in the air. The most common models (refrigerant dehumidifiers) use a compressor and fan to pull room air into the machine, cool it down to extract the moisture, and then return the cooler, drier air to the home. Many irritants in the air get trapped in the water that is removed and collected in the tank, so dehumidifiers can also act as air cleaners. An air purifier works much more effectively at this job, but dehumidifiers play their part as well.
High humidity in the home can have a number of consequences on the health of you and your home. Condensation, mildew and mold growth are some of the first signs of high relative humidity in the home. Sinus issues and a musty smell will come next if the moisture problems continue. If left long enough, indoor humidity can even begin to deteriorate the structural integrity of the home. Dehumidification will remove the excess moisture, heat, and some particulate matter from the air to alleviate all of these effects. Dry air will also have beneficial effects on your air conditioner since it won’t have to work as hard to maintain the set temperature for the home. You’ll save money on electricity and extend the life of the machine as well.
The best dehumidifiers on the market will have a large water tank in order to collect more water vapor with less frequent emptying. The decrease in moisture levels will also improve the symptoms of respiratory conditions that you may be suffering from, and that is a common reason for someone to choose a dehumidifier. Adding a dehumidifier to a nursery can also help maintain the health of a new baby.
Do Air Purifiers and Dehumidifiers Work Effectively In The Same Room?
Air purifiers and dehumidifiers are excellent products to use together in the same house/room. Dehumidifiers can help clean some particulates out of the air, which will extend the life of the air filters in your air purifier. As your air purifier removes the air pollutants from the room, it will lessen the demand on the dehumidifier. Since both machines contribute to the production of clean air in your home, you’ll see faster results and experience a more comfortable living environment.
Not every home will need both an air purifier and a dehumidifier, so it is important that you consider the uses of both. While these machines won’t do anything to harm your home, you will incur an expense for maintenance and electricity with continual use. As a result, while you CAN purchase both an air purifier and a dehumidifier for your house, we recommend that you make sure you really need both. One alternative to consider is buying a combo unit that can perform the functions of an air purifier and a dehumidifier at the same time.
Are Combo Air Purifiers/Dehumidifiers A Good Investment?
Air purifiers and dehumidifiers work so well together that some companies have actually manufactured combination machines. They won’t always have the same effectiveness as purchasing a separate unit for each function, but it can be an economically-savvy way to reduce humidity and purify the air in your home. There are many options available on Amazon and in-store retailers, so you should be able to find either a combo unit or separate machines that suit your budget and needs.
