Super Fitness Health BlogIs an Air Conditioner the same as a dehumidifier?
Dehumidifiers and Air Conditioners, many people think they are one and the same. They do share a number of similarities, however they are used for different purposes and if you know which one you need then you can save yourself a lot of money in the long run when it comes to the running costs of these units. This article is here to help you decide whether you need a dehumidifier or an air conditioner.
A dehumidifier does not cool down a room in the same way that an air conditioning unit would do. If you are working in a warm, stuffy office and you need to make the room a more comfortable working environment then an air conditioner is what you need for those summer months. A dehumidifier is a lot better at protecting furniture and items from the onset of damp and condensation which could happen at any time of the year due to changes in humidity.
You would be right in thinking that an air conditioner does dehumidify the air. The condensate accumulates when chilled, this is the the water that is collected or drained out, depending on the model of air conditioner. Portable air conditioners give you a lot more flexibility with draining options. You can collect the water in, run it out through a drain or even hook it up in to your existing drainage system if it is going to be in use and static for some time. Obviously this makes the portable air conditioner a lot less portable.
There are 2 types of dehumidifier, desiccant and refrigerant dehumidifiers. Refrigerant dehumidifiers work in a similar way to portable air conditioners, though they lack the intense air cooling abilities of an air conditioner. Refrigerant dehumidifiers work at their optimum levels during the warmer months. High temperatures in the UK climate usually means humidity is high too. In turn this means damp is likely to affect your home.
A desiccant dehumidifier uses a desiccant filter which absorbs moisture in the air, similar to how those packets you find in new boxes of trainers and electrical goods keep dry. Obviously a desiccant dehumidifier operates on a much stronger and larger scale. Humid air is filtered through, dehumidified and then released back in to the room as dry air. This makes them ideal in warehouses, storage units and garages. They are especially effective in the colder months and many people use them in rooms that are susceptible to damp, mould and rot. If your house suffers from any of these conditions then a desiccant dehumidifier is definitely recommended. They will save you lots of money in the long run, protecting electronics, fabrics, wood, furniture and even brickwork from damp and high humidity.
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