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Is An Air Conditioner Also A Dehumidifier?

Is An Air Conditioner Also A Dehumidifier?

Although air conditioners and dehumidifiers are similar in some ways, there are some clear differences. Depending on your circumstances, you might need to choose one or the other.

An air conditioner can be a single machine or a system that extracts warm air and replaces it with cooler air via a refrigeration cycle. This works best in a defined area, such as a room, explains Superior AC Repair Cypress. They provide AC Repair in Cypress, TX

An air conditioner will reduce the humidity AND lower the temperature significantly and this often results in the occupants feeling dehydrated and thirsty. An air conditioner is most appropriate when the main aim is for cooling the air, with the additional benefit of acting as a dehumidifier by default. 

How does an air-conditioner work?

Air conditioners have cold coils. The warm air enters the air-conditioner and condenses forming vapor. Then the cooled air is blown back into the room by fans.

Some modern portable air conditioners are dual-purpose and can separate the cooling and dehumidifying functions. The benefit of this is that you can use the air conditioner as a dehumidifier in the cooler months without reducing the internal temperature and then change it to a regular air conditioner in the summer months.

A Saudi Arabian study in 2016 investigated the potential health hazards of using air conditioning units. The high levels of bacteria and molds present in air conditioning filters were evidence that the micro-organisms that were present could affect respiratory health, particularly in the case of people with asthma. Regular cleaning and removal of dust from air-conditioning filters are advised.

Generally, air conditioners are quite costly to buy and run. However, if you live in a hot, humid climate there is nothing that can compete with a good air-conditioner to keep you cool day and night when the conditions are unbearable. A de-humidifier just will not cut it when it comes to keeping you cool in extreme conditions.

Also, it is possible to use your air conditioner in the winter to do the job of a dehumidifier. So, for the best of both worlds a portable air conditioner or a wall-mounted air conditioning unit is your best bet.

Where can you buy the best quality air conditioners for your home?

The Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner has full thermostatic control with temperatures between 61 and 89 degrees Fahrenheit. Important features include; a digital readout, remote control, three fan speeds, a carbon air filter, and a washable pre-filter. 

Maintenance is easy because of self-evaporating technology. There will not be an excessive build-up of              condensate or the necessity of cleaning out a tank.  

An added benefit is that the AC unit can be used as a fan or dehumidifier. It also has a high dehumidifying capacity of 101 pints per day. The 24-hour timer makes it easy to program and helps to reduce running costs. It is equipped with an auto-restart function, which is activated in the event of a power cut. This air conditioner uses an environmentally friendly coolant which does not contribute to ozone reduction

The Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner was a pick in The Wirecutter's guide to the best portable ACs, and it has a 9.3 out of 10 rating from Portable-ac-experts.com. It is widely listed as one of the best air conditioners on the market. On Amazon, the unit has an average of 3.8 out of 5-star rating.

The best wall-mounted air conditioning unit is available on Amazon.

It is compact and energy-efficient with a top feature being that it has a quiet running mode. It is easy to install, clean and maintain.

What is a de-humidifier?

A dehumidifier is an electrical machine that decreases the level of humidity in the air. In areas of high humidity, a damp, clammy atmosphere fills the air and causes an uncomfortable heavy feeling indoors. This is usually accompanied by high temperatures. In these types of conditions, reducing the humidity may also lower the heat, but that is not the primary purpose.  

How does a dehumidifier work?

A de-humidifier has both hot and cold coils. Air is sucked into the dehumidifier and passed over the cold coils, causing condensation. The air then circulates over the hot coils as it is being emitted, and the air is restored to room temperature. 

So, de-humidifiers are best used in situations where high-level moisture in the air is the problem but where major cooling is not required. A health benefit of having a dehumidifier is that it will eliminate musty odors and to prevent the growth of mildew, which thrives in warm, damp conditions. De-humidifying can useful in homes, commercial, or industrial buildings.

Best de-humidifiers available on Amazon:

  1. The Frigidaire FFAD7033R1 dehumidifier

This product will protect your home from the mould and mildew caused by high humidity and it will help to eliminate bacteria in the air.

  1. New and Improved Eva-dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier

Portable, inexpensive and completely silent.