What Are Air Purifiers with Dehumidifiers?

What Are Air Purifiers with Dehumidifiers?

Air purifiers are becoming more prevalent in our lives today, as the health concerns of poor air quality are brought to light. There are a lot of different air purifiers out there, and a lot of other machines that are built to address air quality as well. Air purifiers that work in conjunction with other systems can really give you a leg up in your fight for clean air.

Air purifiers with built-in dehumidifiers both purify the air and remove moisture from the air. The air purifier will sift out particles from the air, while the dehumidifier will remove moisture from it. Unfortunately, these units can be rather costly and hard to find, which is why your best bet is to buy two separate units and use them in conjunction with one another.

Today, we will tell you the benefits of dehumidifiers for your home, and how they can help your air quality, especially when used with an air purifier. One great way to achieve high-quality air can be through using an air purifier with a built-in dehumidifier, depending upon your specific needs. That being said these units are not readily available for most consumers so we will instead focus on purchasing two units.

Combo Units  

You may be wondering why you can’t find air purifiers dehumidifier combination units, and that is simply because there aren’t a lot out there. Several of these combination units have been made since we first posted this article, however, and many of them great! Despite these new and promising units, we still think that it could be prudent to purchase two separate units still for most scenarios. However, air purifier/humidifier machines that allow you to turn off the humidifier part will likely work very well for you.

Yes, we recommend you purchase two separate machines to get drier cleaner air. Before you feel let down, however, know that one of the few combo units that we found when we first wrote this was actually more expensive than buying two units! For a standard size room (about 200 square feet), the two units will cost you about 120 dollars, give or take a bit. That being said, the only other option we found was in the realm of 450 and 600 dollars, but it did cover a greater area (1400 square feet).

Once again, however, we’d like to say that we’ve discovered that there are several cheaper machines that are on the market now! Below is a link to one of the machines that we thought was really cool.

Odds are if you’ve read this far, then you’re wondering more about which unit you need more. If you didn’t come with that question, then you may be thinking it now simply because of the usual price for some of these units. Rest assured, we’ll answer that question for you and many others!

But, if you’re certain that you want a combo unit, here’s a link to our article on finding good, affordable air purifier/humidifier combination units.

DO I NEED AN AIR PURIFIER OR A DEHUMIDIFIER?

The short answer comes with you asking yourself if you want clean air or drier air. If you desire to have cleaner air (if you have an issue with allergens in the air), then you’ll want an air purifier. Do you have a moisture issue (think mildew, mold, fungi, or just a wet basement), then you’ll be best off getting a dehumidifier.

If cost is an issue for you, then, by all means, buy just one unit that addresses your biggest need. Then if you are happy with the results, you can purchase the other unit and experience the other half of the air quality equation. We really don’t want to push you toward making an unwise decision. Dehumidifiers and air purifiers are two completely different machines which often lumped into one category. Odds are that you aim to improve the air quality in your home or office, and just googled a term you had heard passed around.

If you are really strapped for cash, we have a post on finding low cost air purifiers that are worth buying! You have to be careful when you are purchasing machines that are a lot cheaper than what is the norm. More often than not, something is amiss, and the unit isn’t worth your time, or money. Our post will help you navigate around the risk!

Dehumidifiers Or Air Purifiers

Dehumidifiers and air purifiers don’t do the exact same things, but they can fix some similar issues. Oftentimes you’ll need a dehumidifier and an air purifier, but we’d normally recommend buying the dehumidifier first if moisture is an issue. Read on for the benefits of a dehumidifier and then an air purifier and see which you really need.

Depending upon your home’s air, you may need a dehumidifier more than an air purifier, and that’s perfectly ok! A lot of households only own one of these two machines anyways. Oftentimes people who live in flood plains, in humid areas, or have damp basements will all own dehumidifiers in an effort to help save their home from mold and rot. A lot of people even stick these units in their basements! Think sticking a dehumidifier in your basement sounds weird or interesting? Check out our article on the need for basement dehumidifiers to learn more.

Moisture In The Air

The best way to check for moisture in your air is to take a look at your home’s pipes. This means you’ll need to take a look under your sinks and see if they are collecting water. This moisture should look like a cup of ice water that has been left out for a while, meaning it should look like your standard condensation. Odds are the pipes in your basement will be the worse off, which is why many people put them in their basements.

What does a dehumidifier help you with? Here’s an easy list to check:

–Cuts down on humidity, making your home feel less muggy.

–Reduce Odors.

-Decrease the amount of mold, mildew, fungi, and rot.

-It can help with respiratory problems.

-Helps in your fight against pests like fleas and bedbugs, which prefer moist areas.

Black Mold

So what is the issue with having lots of moisture in the air? Well, moisture usually brings about a lot of potentially dangerous things, like mold (namely black mold), and it also allows allergens to thrive. Dehumidifiers don’t kill the mold itself, but it does help keep it at bay. Basements are oftentimes prone to rot, which is terrible for your home, and your home’s resale value. Rot compromises the strength of the wood your home is built out of, and rot is caused by moisture. A dehumidifier can be a valuable asset in saving your home from the damage rot causes!

Beyond cutting down on mold, mildew, fungi, and rot, dehumidifiers also cut down on a lot of other things too! This includes odors, and some allergens, both of which require humidity. One allergy (which is a give me) that dehumidifiers help to control is a mold allergy. Mold can trigger allergies just as easily as pollen can, which means it can also trigger asthma attacks.

Mold requires humidity levels above 50 percent, so using a dehumidifier to drop moisture content below that will be very important in controlling it. Dehumidifiers do not kill mold, it just makes it harder for the mold to spread. If you have a mold issue, you will need to have it removed, but a dehumidifier can help keep it away.

There’s a lot to do in fending off the mold in your home. Some air purifiers can help to keep your home’s mold at bay more than others. Check out our article on the best air purifiers for mold and fungus for more information on those! However, if you already have a mold issue in your home, then you’ll need to hire a professional company to properly deal with the issue.

It’s hard to know for sure if your home’s air is over 50% humidity. While there are some signs that you can notice that will provide you with clues, none of them are 100% all the time.

That’s where air sensors come into play. Air sensors can give you accurate measurements that you an act on.

AirThings is a manufacturer of some of the best air sensors on the market today. You can pick up their Wave Mini (as seen to the right) today and can check the overall health of your home’s air from your phone! Order it from the AirThings store here and use the code ape10-10off to get 10% off your order! Use the link to the AirThings store here and type in the bolded code above to get your discount.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are another common allergen which thrives in higher humidity. Those who say they are allergic to dust are commonly allergic to the actual dust mites. These critters eat your dead skin, among other things, and then poop out what triggers some people’s allergies. They need your home’s humidity to be above 50 percent as well, so don’t let it get that high, and you won’t have to suffer. Once you take care of your home’s humidity, you had best wash your bedding with hot water, and vacuum as well, this will get rid of residual dust mites and their subsequent “gifts”.  

Choose Which Benefits That You Need

Now that we’ve covered a lot of the benefits of dehumidifiers, you probably will know if you need one or would like one. However, before you make your purchase (unless you know you have a moisture problem), here’s the case for an air purifier. Bear in mind these two units are very different, so the benefits they bring to your home are also different!

Air purifiers are growing more and more common every day, as people finally begin to grasp the benefits of these remarkable machines. These machines, like dehumidifiers, do exactly as their name implies. Air purifiers purify (clean) the air. There it is, plain and simple. Except, it isn’t just that simple, because they have seemingly a billion different options, much like your sub from the local sandwich shop.

No matter which air purifier you buy, it will  Depending upon the air purifier you purchase, it will clean particles out of the air, including some odors. Just about all of the extras that are offered simply provide higher and higher levels of air purification. For example, a HEPA filter will clean the air of particles that are smaller than standard air filters.

There are several different kinds of air purifier filters out there, and they are not all created equal. Check out our post on the various types of air filters you’ll find on the market so you’ll know what to look for. There’s a lot to know before you make your purchase, so be sure to do some homework!

Things that nearly every air purifier removes from the air include:

-Pet fur, and dander.

-A lot of odors.

-Pollen and dust.

This may be exactly what you need, but wait until you hear what some air purifiers can clean!

-Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

-A lot more odors

-Smoke and mold

-Airborne pathogens

-Allergens

VOCs and a lot of odors can be cleaned out of the air with an air purifier that utilizes carbon filters. Airborne pathogens, allergens, and some odors can be captured with a HEPA filter. Some air purifiers can even clean out smoke and mold! All you need to do is find out what you need, and you’ll be able to get yourself the right air purifier.

WHICH IS MORE AFFORDABLE, AN AIR PURIFIER OR A DEHUMIDIFIER?

Generally, dehumidifiers will be cheaper than an air purifier, especially in the long run, as one requires replacement filters, and the other (usually) does not. However, DO NOT make your purchase simply based off of price! If you need an air purifier, then you need an air purifier. No dehumidifier will be able to fix the issues that an air purifier is made to address. If you need help finding an affordable air purifier, see our article on the subject.

Air purifiers are remarkable units, as are dehumidifiers. In fact, it is hard to say which one is “generally cheaper” as we did above, simply because there are so many units out there. Some air purifiers are cheap (like 30 dollars) some are expensive (running into the hundreds of dollars), but the same is true with dehumidifiers. We recommend shopping around to find the best unit for you, which should find a balance of quality and price.

WHAT IF MY HOME’S AIR IS ALREADY TOO DRY?

If your home’s air is dry, then that can be great! Especially if it is between 30 and 50 percent humidity. If this is the case, then you ought to buy an air purifier, since your humidity needs are already met. However, if your home’s air is in fact “too dry” then you’ll probably need to look at a humidifier.

Bear in mind, humidifiers and dehumidifiers do two entirely different things. Dehumidifiers remove moisture, humidifiers add it. Humidifiers are great machines, which can help your breathing if your home’s air is too dry, and they also help when you’re congested. See our article on air purifier humidifier combination machines for more information!

WHAT ARE THE DRAWBACKS OF A DEHUMIDIFIER?

Despite the many perks of a dehumidifier, they do have some drawbacks that must be mentioned. One of which is simple maintenance, which some people overlook. Maintenance includes emptying the dehumidifier’s collection tank, which will be full of the water it takes out of the air!

You will need to clean your dehumidifier, at least from time to time! Proper cleaning is also very important, as moisture means mold, mildew, and all the problems that you’re getting the dehumidifier for. No, this isn’t usually a long drawn out chore, but it is something that is occasionally overlooked. If your dehumidifier develops mold, fungi, or is clogged up with these issues, then it won’t be effective anymore. However, it usually takes a lot of neglect for this to become an issue.

WHAT ARE THE DRAWBACKS OF AN AIR PURIFIER?

Just like with a dehumidifier, air purifiers also require some upkeep. As with dehumidifiers, people sometimes forget to take care of their air purifiers, which can render it useless. This usually just entails cleaning or replacing the unit’s filters. Filter replacements are usually pretty easy to come by if you keep track of all of your machine’s paperwork. We highly recommend filing your purifier paperwork.

Oftentimes, air filters are easy to access and replace, so you won’t need to hire a professional to tend to your machine. Some air filters are cheap, some are not, so you have to check this before you buy a unit that requires replacement filters. Another thing to consider is how long the filter is supposed to last. Some machines can go as long as five years without a replacement filter, while most need new ones more often than that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Air Purifiers Work?

Yes, and depending on the make and model that you are considering, they work very well! Air purifiers are great for dust control. In addition to combating your seasonal allergies, which you may have thought had no fix. No, air purifiers won’t cure you of allergies. But they will seemingly cure you while you are home, since all of your allergens have been pulled out of the air.

Where Can I Find Air Purifiers for Sale?

Air purifiers are sold just about everywhere nowadays. You can find air purifiers online or in many home improvement and department stores. You can even buy used units online, or at garage sales.

Can Air Purifiers Take Care of Cat Hair?

Yes, air purifiers take care of cat hair, dog hair, and hare hair! They can capture stuff a lot smaller than that too, including pet dander. Air purifiers also freshen up your home’s air, cutting down on common odors that plague pet owner’s homes. Now you can have your furry family members indoors and not have to worry about what guests will smell.

What Are VOCs?

VOCs also known as Volatile Organic Compounds are chemicals that are released by everyday items.  Some of these items are cleaning solutions, aerosols, and paint. They are known to cause diseases later in life, and they can worsen the effects and severity of Asthma.

What Are Charcoal Filters?

Charcoal filters are one and the same as carbon filters, these phrases are used interchangeably. These filters mainly come in two different types activated and impregnated carbon. Impregnated does everything activated carbon does, but it also targets VOCs, which can be dangerous.

How do Air Purifiers Work?

There are several different methods that are utilized in air purifiers. These include carbon and fabric filters, static electricity, screens, heat, UV light, and more. The air purifying machines run their surrounding air through themselves. They sift out all of the particulates in the air and capturing them. The resulting air that they release is freshly cleaned.