We all love the refreshing moment we walk inside from the hot and humid summer day and experience that sweet cool, dry air.
Most Americans today fully depend on household appliances like dehumidifiers and air conditioners to keep the air in their home fresh and dry.
Yet, the question remains: if my goal is to dry the air in my home, then which appliance really works better – an air conditioner or a dehumidifier?
And when, exactly, should I use each?
The question of whether to use an air conditioner vs. a dehumidifier to dry-out a room is a popular topic – especially for arguments at home.
In this article, we’ll answer these questions so you won’t have to wonder (or fight) about it any more.
AC vs. Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers and air conditioners are similar in that they both reduce the humidity level of inside air.
While they share this feature, there are several major differences.
Dehumidifiers are most often used in spaces where uncomfortable levels of humidity, condensation or mold growth are likely to occur but the ambient air temperature is not an issue.
Humid air is pulled into the dehumidifier, passed over an evaporator coil followed by a condenser coil, and then released back to the space it came from.
As the air flows over the condenser coil, humidity is removed and the air is warmed slightly, leading to warmer air being discharged than was previously taken in. In some units the heat is used to sterilize the return air, ridding it of biologicals such as fungus and mold.
A dehumidifier’s ability to reduce and control the moisture of a specific area makes dehumidifiers great for crawl spaces, basements and water damage restoration.
Dehumidifiers are often used alongside air movers to rapidly and efficiently dry wet rooms after flooding, significantly reducing the room’s risk of later construction damage and mold development.
In contrast, while air conditioners also reduce the humidity level in a room, instead of exhausting warm air, they cool it, making warm, sticky environments far more comfortable.
While dehumidifiers are completely stored in the space they’re working, air conditioners are usually placed in windows or parts of them stored outside (like a window system) because their heat exchangers release far hotter air than a dehumidifier does.
Warm, moist air is taken into an air conditioner, either via the device or via a port in the wall. Like a dehumidifier, the air moves over an evaporator coil and then a condenser coil.
As air moves over the condenser coil, the heated air it generates is captured and discharged outside, leading to a cooler atmosphere.
The cooling effect of the AC is the most crucial reason why these machines are used.
So in one sentence, the main difference between a dehumidifier and an air conditioner is that a dehumidifier reduces humidity level by drying the air and making it slightly warmer, whereas an air conditioner removes humidity and cools the air, but requires a vent to expel hot air outside.
Air Conditioner
- Turns hot and humid air into cooler, drier air
- Removes hot air and exhausts it outside
- Doesn't eliminate biologicals such as mold and fungus
Dehumidifier
- Remove moisture from the air
- Returns slightly warmer air inside
- Removes fungus & biologicals
Using a Dehumidifier vs. an AC To Dry Your Home: Pros and Cons
Air Conditioner
Pros
- Cools and dries the air: often, these go together
- Low maintenance: just change the filters every few months + a professional inspection once a year
Cons
- Consume more energy
- Potential bacteria & mold growth due to higher moisture level on condenser coils
- Require an external exhaust / vent
Dehumidifier
Pros
- Prevents mold & fungus growth
- Usually portable / can be set up in any room
- No external ventilation required
Cons
- Adds Additional high cost to electric bills
- Need to be drained, cleaned and tended to regularly
- Warms the air (slightly)
Dehumidifier Vs. Air Conditioner: Power Consumption
Generally speaking, a dehumidifier consumes considerably less energy to dry a room than an air conditioner does. Mostly this is because air conditioners run far longer than a dehumidifier and often cool an entire home even when you only have an issue in one room.
Using a dehumidifier with a humidistat and adjustable humidity settings saves even more energy, because it only runs when it needs to – and again, only in one room.
Remember that power consumption depends on the intelligence and sensors in the machine you choose. The latest dehumidifiers use humidistats, greener fan motors and are far more energy-efficient, so you should limit your shopping to more recent models.
Do Dehumidifiers Cool the Air?
Dehumidifiers have lots of use, including cleaning the air of mold and relieving people with asthma and allergies.
Even though a dehumidifer technically warms the air it dries, it can actually make a room feel cooler because it greatly reduces humidity, which allows your body to cool itself faster via evaporation of sweat.
Taking a Closer Look
Once you have decided which type of appliance will work best for your requirements, it’s time to examine the different kinds.
Not all dehumidifiers and air conditioners are the same; a few crucial pieces of information differentiate them.
Types of Air Conditioner
Window AC
Window air conditioners are installed in a partially-open window.
They cannot normally cool an entire house, and energy efficiency is higher than a whole-home central AC.
Portable Air Conditioner
Portable air conditioners come in many types and sizes, but all share the same function: to cool a room or two with a minimum of fuss.
Hot exhaust air is removed from the house using a hose vent that is either passed through a window or a dedicate exhaust vent in a wall.
These devices are really useful, as they can be placed wherever you want them to be.
And they are extremely energy-efficient compared with central AC units.
Ductless Air Conditioner
This device has two distinct units (indoor and outdoor ), and it doesn’t require exhaust vents or air ducts.
The indoor unit controls the outside unit.
Central AC
Central air conditioners are most often used to cool entire buildings instead of single rooms.
A typical HVAC system relies on a powerful air compressor and a large condensation coil to cool large volumes of air. In the process, it condenses a large amount of water from the air which must be pumped or drained outside.
Most central ACs run 24/7, which greatly increases their monthly power consumption.
Types of Dehumidifier
Desiccant
In this simple and cheap type of dehumidifier, a chemical known as ‘desiccant’ is used to absorb moisture from a small space. Once the chemical is saturated, it is replaced with a fresh batch.
Desiccant dehumidifiers do not consume power, making them perfect for remote buildings and vehicles that do not have access to a regular power supply.
Many boat and RV owners use desiccant humidifiers to keep their vehicles dry while not in use.
Thermoelectric
This system employs something called a Peltier module‘.
Electricity is passed through the module, leaving one side of the module chilly and one side hot. The cold side is where the air loses its moisture.
Peltier / thermoelectric air coolers are relatively weak when it comes to removing humidity and cooling the air.
They are normally used in small devices like drink coolers.
Refrigerated Coil
Coil dehumidifiers work in a way that’s similar to refrigerators.
Hot air flows through the refrigerated coil and the fan. The coil traps the moisture from the atmosphere, thereby removing the humidity.
Weighing Your Options
Now that you know the difference between the two devices, let us focus more specifically on what you need.
Whether you would like a dehumidifier, an air conditioner, or both, you’ll need to decide on some features to find just the right the model for you.
There are MANY dehumidifiers and air conditioners on the market, of course. Each has its own particular use and room size.
To help you narrow your choice, below we list a few of our favorite top picks based on our previous work compiling buying guides and product reviews.
Honeywell MN10CES: Portable Air Conditioner for One Room
If you have moisture problems in your house, you will probably be taking a look at a dehumidifier or an air conditioner.
If you need something simple for just one room, then the Honeywell MN10CES is a great choice.
It’s portable, small and doesn’t use nearly as much energy as central air does.
It’ll keep your bedroom or living room dry under almost any condition, too.
- Space Size (Sq.Ft.): 400
- Cooling Speeds: 3
- Cooling Capacity: 10,000 BTU
- Built-In Dehumidifier: 2.9 pints/hour
Pros
- Small and portable
- Energy efficient
- Simple for transportation
- Easy to install
Cons
- A bit noisy on high fan speed
Whitewing Superdry 90 & Maytag M1200: Portable Whole-House Solutions
Smelling mold or air dampness in the basement are signs that you need a dehumidifier or a powerful air conditioner to remove excess humidity from your home.
The WhiteWing Superdry 90 may be exactly what you’re looking for.
It covers a very large space (3,000 sqft) and includes a sensor to detect the best degree of fan speed and the defrost cycle.
If your home is excessively hot along with the humidity, you may want to consider the Maytag M1200 AC unit.
It can move the hot, dehumidified air out of your home. This model is silent and energy-efficient. Plus, it comes with a one-year warranty if you’re not completely satisfied.
Whitewing Superdry 90
- Space Size (sq. ft.): 2,500
- Built-In Dehumidifier: 110 pints of water per day
Maytag M1200
- Space Size (sq. ft.): 500 - 950
- Cooling Capacity: 10,000 - 28,000 BTU
Pros
- Energy efficient
- high-capacity moisture elimination
- Effortless to use
- Reliable
Cons
- Very expensive
Frigidaire FFAD7033R1 70-Pint Dehumidifier: To Remove Allergens and Biologicals
Another reason to consider a dehumidifier is the health advantages they provide to you and your loved ones.
You may read more on this. If someone in your family suffers from asthma, or if you’re just aware of good health, consider Frigidaire’s 70-point model.
Seeing as this system eliminates up to 70 pints of moisture from your house daily, it’ll serve almost any sized room or small apartment.
- Built-In Dehumidifier: 70-pints per day
- Warranty: 1-year Guarantee
Pros
- Energy efficient
- Quiet
- Large moisture removal / day
- Reliable
- Integrated water drain pump
Cons
- N/A
Conclusion
So which type of appliance serves your needs best?
Air conditioning unit or a dehumidifier? Both are amazing inventions that will reduce the humidity in your home.
Hopefully, this guide will help you with that decision.
Let us know below if you have any additional questions about dehumidifiers or air conditioners.
I’m a degreed ME (mechanical engineer) who is passionate about machines of all kinds. I created MachineWonders.com as a way to connect with others who love machines like me – or need help choosing one for their needs, application, or situation.
This article is incorrect in its statement that “Like a dehumidifier, the AIR moves over an evaporator coil AND THEN a condenser coil.”
That’s defining only a dehumidifier operation. In a/c systems (all of them, including refrigeration and heating units) the “air” moving over the coils is separated, contained in different locations. It is not the “same” air.
You do have the different technological explanations correct in the rest of the article.
Please clarify your statement to reflect accuracy, and if it was just an error of speech, I apologize.