Many people from across the globe rely on household systems such as dehumidifiers or air conditioners to either keep their environments cool or create better air quality. There is however, a difference between these two units, and finding out which one will suit your home and personal needs can take some thought. With so many options available, finding out exactly what you want out of a product is the number one question. These needs will differ from person to person and can also depend on the type of property you live in, who lives there, how much you’re willing to spend and elements such as allergies.
So, let’s take a deeper look into the difference between a dehumidifier and an air conditioner system and what each of them bring to the table.
What is an air conditioner?
An air conditioner produces cold air inside your home or space through the process of removing heat and humidity. This system returns the cooled air to the indoor area, and transfers the unwanted heat and humidity into the outdoors.
There are also a number of different air conditioning units and brands available to enable you to find the right appliance for your needs. These air conditioning units range from simple portable units to full scale, technical pieces which all operate in different ways.
What is a dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is an air conditioning device which limits and maintains the level of humidity in the air. This is typically used for health benefits in mind, temperature purposes, or to eliminate odour from the surroundings.
In the most common types of dehumidifiers, moist air is pulled in and cooled to a temperature at which the moisture condenses and separates from the surrounding air. This water is then collected in a bucket or tray, and needs to be emptied when full. These systems are mostly used if you or someone you live with has asthma or allergies. A dehumidifier can help to relieve symptoms and make breathing easier.
The difference between a dehumidifier and air conditioning
Dehumidifiers and air conditioners are quite similar in the way they function. They both remove air from the room and ultimately create a cleaner space. Dehumidifiers and air conditioners do this by condensing the air and turning it into water. There are, however, a number of differences between the two which will benefit different users.
- The air in a dehumidifier comes back out as dryer air
- Air conditioning cools the air
- Air con systems have numerous more settings and functions
- Dehumidifiers focus on health benefits more than temperature
- Air con is typically larger in size and used on an industrial scale
Dehumidifier or air conditioning?
When deciding between both appliances, there are a few areas to cover before opting for the final one. Whilst air conditioners provide optimum cooling and, at times, even heat, a dehumidifier doesn’t provide either of these.
The choice of which system to invest in depends greatly on your personal preference, budget, living location, and layout of your house or establishment.
Functional Preference
Like many things in life, this decision comes down to personal preference. As these two systems are used for different things, the benefits help to make the final choice. Although both these appliances are linked to healthy air, allergies and a fresh environment, the main difference is the temperature function. Finding out exactly what you want to gain should be the number one question.
Budget
Even though you might have pinpointed your functional preference, budget could be a huge issue getting in the way. An air conditioner typically costs more to purchase and has additional installation and maintenance costs whilst a dehumidifier is normally a simple, plug in feature. This comparison is the typical, you pay for what you get.
Location
In places near large buildups of water, humidity levels can be extremely high. An air conditioner is not able to remove the correct amount of moisture from the air to keep the room comfortable. This is just one example of how the surroundings can affect the final decision. It’s also important to consider whether you need this system for your own personal use, or is it going to be used on a greater scale through an office or school?
Lee Jackson Domestic Air Conditioning
Here at Lee Jackson we strive to offer the best service out there and rest assured we’ll do everything that we can to bring a clean and simple installation to your home.
Whether you’re looking for a wall-mounted, ducted or floor mounted unit, we’ve got lots to offer.
By supplying brands such as Mitsubishi, Samsung, Panasonic, Fujitsu and Daikin, we can find, install and maintain the perfect system for you!
Get in touch today on 0800 949 9070 and get a free quote!
