Air purifiers and dehumidifiers are certainly useful appliances. But what are the differences, advantages, and disadvantages?
Air purifiers and dehumidifiers are commonplace items. You see them in homes, businesses, and other spaces all the time. The terms are regularly used interchangeably, but there’s a distinct difference between air purifiers and dehumidifiers.
What is an Air Purifier?
An air purifier is a device that removes contaminants and pollutants (such as dust, pollen, pet dander) from the air to improve indoor air quality and eliminate allergy triggers.
A fan draws air into the purifier and passes it through a filter to capture the unwanted particles. There are several types of filters—HEPA, activated carbon, UV light, etc.—to trap the airborne impurities. The clean, filtered air is then circulated back into the room.
What is a Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is a machine that removes water from the air in a room to lower the overall humidity level, cut back on mold growth and eliminate odors. It draws in moist air, cools it to condense any water onto cold coils, then reheats and sends the drier air back into the room. Any water collected is usually sent to a tank or released into a drain.
The key difference between an air purifier and a dehumidifier is what they remove from the air, pollutants or moisture.
Pros of Air Purifiers
Healthline details many positive effects of air purifiers, such as:
- Potential reduction of animal dander (from pets such as dogs, cats, birds, and more).
- Potential reduction of dust in the air.
- Potential reduction of particulate matter in the air.
- Potential reduction in airborne particles containing viruses.
- Potential reduction of odors in your home.
- Potential reduction in allergy symptoms and other health effects.
Cons of Air Purifiers
Potential drawbacks of air purifiers include:
- The financial investment of purchasing one.
- They may not filter out every single dirty particle (if windows and doors are continuously opened).
- Ultimately, new particles are constantly emerging into the air.
- Older models might be faulty.
Pros of Dehumidifiers
The advantages of dehumidifiers include:
- Mold and mildew growth can be controlled, since moisture is being pulled out of the air.
- They can potentially lessen allergy triggers.
- They can control humidity levels to lessen the chance of dust mites entering your space.
- They can help contribute to an overall healthier environment.
- They can cool your home or business and potentially reduce the need for air conditioning (if you live in a warmer, more humid climate).
- They can reduce dust and mold, which can lower the chance of bugs and other vermin entering your property.
- They can protect the wood in your home, from furniture to flooring, even instruments.
Cons of Dehumidifiers
There are some potential disadvantages of using a dehumidifier:
- While a dehumidifier will make the air drier, this can exacerbate certain health conditions. This is important if you already use gas or electricity to heat your home or live in a desert or high-altitude area.
- You may need to stay mindful of hydration with a dehumidifier in place.
- Skin and hair might become affected by use of a dehumidifier.
Air Purifier vs. Dehumidifier: The Bottom Line
When it comes to selecting an air purifier or dehumidifier for your home, business, or other space, the “best” choice comes down to your objective what do you need to remove from the air: moisture or contaminants? Or perhaps both.
SERVPRO offers a variety of cleanup and restoration services, services such as fire damage restoration, mold remediation, air duct cleaning, and biohazard cleanup. Our technicians are committed to returning your property to pre-loss condition, making it “Like it never even happened.”
To find out more, contact us today or visit our FAQ and Glossary.