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Buy now, pay later interest freeBoth dehumidifiers and humidifiers play important roles in maintaining a healthy indoor environment. While both aim to adjust the humidity levels in your home, they do so in opposite ways and address different problems. And it’s this difference that homeowners need to be aware of before purchasing either one.
City Plumbing helps by removing the confusion about whether you need a dehumidifier or a humidifier for your home. Here we explore the differences between these two devices and help you determine which one is best suited for your needs.
What Is the Main Difference Between a Dehumidifier and a Humidifier?
- Humidifiers: Add moisture to the air. You need a humidifier when the air in your home is too dry.
- Dehumidifiers: Remove moisture from the air. You need a dehumidifier when the air in your home is too humid.
The ideal indoor humidity level for most homes is generally between 30% and 60% relative humidity (RH). You can measure your home's humidity with a hygrometer, an inexpensive tool that helps you maintain a balanced humidity level throughout.
What Is a Humidifier?
A humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can be beneficial during the winter months when indoor air tends to become dry due to heating systems. Dry air can cause skin irritations, dry throat, and other discomforts. A humidifier can alleviate these symptoms and create a more pleasant atmosphere in your home.
When to Use a Humidifier (For Low Humidity, Typically Below 30% RH)
- Symptoms of dry air:
Dry skin, chapped lips / Irritated nasal passages, sore throat / Nosebleeds / Dry cough, exacerbated cold/flu symptoms, and respiratory issues like asthma or bronchitis / Static electricity
- Impact on your home:
Cracking or shrinking of wooden furniture, floors, musical instruments, and picture frames / Drying out of plants.
- Common seasons/situations:
Winter: Heating systems can significantly dry out indoor air / Dry climates.
Common Types of Humidifiers:
- Cool-mist humidifiers: Release a cool mist, often using a fan or ultrasonic vibrations. Safer for homes with children or pets as there's no hot water.
- Warm-mist humidifiers (steam vapourisers): Boil water to create steam, which is then released. Can be helpful for respiratory issues, and the boiling process can kill some bacteria in the water.
- Bypass humidifiers: Work with your HVAC system, circulating warm, dry air to pick up water vapour.
- Fan-powered humidifiers: Similar to bypass, but use a fan to draw heated air for more consistent humidity, even when the HVAC isn't actively heating.
- Steam humidifiers: Use self-contained heating elements to generate moisture, can be standalone or integrated into HVAC.
What Is a Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is designed to reduce the humidity levels in your home. High humidity can lead to damp, mould growth, dust mites, and other allergens that have adverse effects on your health. By removing excess moisture from the air, a dehumidifier can help prevent these issues and create a more comfortable living environment.
When to Use a Dehumidifier (For High Humidity, Typically Above 60% RH)
- Symptoms of high humidity:
Damp, clammy feeling in the air/ Difficulty breathing, especially for those with allergies or asthma / Fatigue, muscle cramps.
- Impact on your home:
Musty odours (a key sign of mould/mildew) /Mould or mildew growth on walls, ceilings, upholstery, or clothes / Condensation on windows, pipes, or other cool surfaces / Peeling paint or wallpaper / Damage to wooden structures due to swelling or warping / Increased dust mites and other allergens / Pest problems (cockroaches, silverfish, moths thrive in humid environments)
- Common seasons/situations:
Summer: Warm, humid outdoor air entering your home / Basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or any area prone to dampness / After a leak or minor flooding / In the UK, where damp conditions are common, a dehumidifier is often more generally useful.
Common Types of Dehumidifiers:
- Refrigerant (Compressor) Dehumidifiers: The most common type. They draw in moist air over a cold coil, causing the water vapour to condense into liquid, which drips into a collection tank. The drier air is then released. Most effective in warmer temperatures.
- Desiccant Dehumidifiers: Use a moisture-absorbing material (desiccant) to remove humidity from the air. They are more effective in colder environments (like unheated basements or garages) because their performance is less affected by temperature.
- Ducted/Whole-House Dehumidifiers: Integrated into your home's HVAC system to manage humidity throughout the entire house.
- Portable/Standalone Dehumidifiers: Smaller units that can be moved from room to room for targeted dehumidification.
Which One Should You Choose - A Humidifier or a Dehumidifier?
The simplest way to determine which appliance you need is to:
- Measure your home's humidity with a hygrometer.
- Observe the signs in your home and your personal comfort.
- If your humidity is below 30-40%, and you're experiencing dry symptoms or damage, you likely need a humidifier.
- If your humidity is above 50-60%, and you're seeing signs of dampness, mould, or experiencing discomfort, you likely need a dehumidifier.
It's generally not recommended to use both in the same area at the same time, as they counteract each other's effects. Focus on bringing your home's humidity to the optimal range (30-60%) for comfort and health.
Humidifier vs Dehumidifier
The decision between a dehumidifier and a humidifier depends on the current conditions in your home. Consider the following factors to help you make an informed choice:
- Climate: If you live in a humid climate, a dehumidifier may be more suitable to reduce humidity levels. Conversely, if you live in a dry climate, a humidifier can add moisture to the air.
- Health Concerns: If you or your family members suffer from allergies or respiratory issues, a dehumidifier may be beneficial in reducing allergens. A humidifier, on the other hand, can provide relief for dry skin and respiratory ailments caused by dry air.
- Seasonal Changes: Consider the seasonal changes in your area. During the winter months, a humidifier can help combat dry indoor air, while a dehumidifier may be more useful in the summer when humidity levels are higher.
- Room Size: Determine the size of the room or area where you need to regulate humidity. Some devices are designed for smaller spaces, while others are suitable for larger rooms.
Buy Dehumidifiers At City Plumbing
City Plumbing offers a reputable selection of dehumidifiers to help you set your home's humidity levels and manage them with ease throughout the year.
With our selection of EBAC models promoting the latest innovative technology, our smart control dehumidifiers can adapt to your home and automatically adjust performance when humidity levels increase.
Check out our range of dehumidifiers today to get started on proactively preventing and solving condensation, damp and mould problems in your home.
If you’re looking for helpful advice and suggestions on choosing the best products for your home, take a further look at our City Plumbing website for more information.
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