Dehumidifiers and air conditioners can make for a great combo in reducing humidity levels in an indoor environment and for quicker air conditioner cooling.
Overview
A dehumidifier is a device that reduces the levels of humidity in an indoor environment. When humidity levels indoors are higher than they should be, it can lead to various problems in the space and for the people occupying it.
An air conditioner is used to decrease the temperature of a space or room and for this to be achieved, it first has to extract some humidity from the air. Some might wonder if a dehumidifier and aircon can be used simultaneously, well, let us take a closer look.
Can a dehumidifier be used with an air conditioner?
The primary purpose of a dehumidifier is to extract humidity from the air and while the air conditioner also dehumidifies to a certain extent, sometimes it is still not enough as some environments can be excessively humid and, in turn, difficult for an air conditioner to cool effectively.
If you are curious about whether you can use a dehumidifier to aid the air conditioner in the dehumidification process and reduce the strain on an AC unit, keep reading.
When to use a dehumidifier with an air conditioner
As much as an air conditioner also has dehumidifying properties, it does not necessarily match those of an actual dehumidifier, since a dehumidifier’s sole purpose is the removal of humidity from the air.
Air conditioners extract as much humidity as their dehumidification rate and specs allow them to, whereas a dehumidifier can 100 percent do the job better.
In places where the climate may be extremely hot with excessive humidity levels, an air conditioner and dehumidifier can be used together, especially if the AC unit is struggling to adequately reduce the humidity levels on its own.
The humidity levels should be reduced by the relative humidity of 30 percent to 50 percent for indoors spaces if you want to optimise the energy-efficiency of the air conditioner.
This is because air conditioners use more electricity when they are trying to cool very humid spaces or rooms.
Is running both devices together beneficial?
Ultimately, running both a dehumidifier and an air conditioner simultaneously provides some benefits for your air conditioner as it will not need to work twice as hard to cool your space.
Your unit may also turn off quicker to rest if the humidity is reduced and cooling happens more easily. Running both devices offers you a comfortable and cool environment indoors.
In this case, the likelihood of experiencing sickness from growth of bacteria as a result of excess moisture will be significantly reduced, since humidity will remain considerably low.
Are there any drawbacks to running both devices?
Unfortunately, as much as there are reasonable benefits to using a dehumidifier and air conditioner simultaneously, there are also some drawbacks.
The goal should never be to get a dry environment, so you should use both devices sparingly, especially if they are working simultaneously.
The air can become too dry and can result in an accumulation of dust, which can trigger allergies. Additionally, running both devices simultaneously will likely increase the overall noise emitted.
Is a dehumidifier necessary if you have an AC unit?
This is up to you to decide and will largely depend on how humid it is in your location. If using your air conditioner more frequently is affecting your electricity bills, investing in a dehumidifier may help reduce the burden on your air conditioner and help you save on energy costs.
If humidity is not a big issue for you, then a dehumidifier may not be necessary. Dehumidifiers are widely available and can usually be purchased at your local department stores.
Alternatively, online retailers like Amazon have a variety of dehumidifiers available to choose from for your home. Some examples are:
| Dehumidifier brand | Description | Amazon price |
| Frigidaire | ||
| · Features an easy-to-clean washable filter
· Customisable humidity control · Continuous drain option so you do not need to do it manually · Automatic shut-off when water bucket is full · Multi-speed fan and low temperature operation · Portable design for easy mobility between rooms |
$270.02 | |
| Vremi | ||
| · Energy star rated
· Automatic shut-off when water tank is full · Quiet fan that is not too noisy · Turbo mode with increased fan speed for maximum moisture removal · For large spaces from 3 000 to 4 000 square feet |
$238.97 | |
| Colaze | ||
| · For large spaces of up to 2 000 square feet
· Intelligent control with touch screen · Automatic shut-off when designated humidity is reached · Ultra-quiet technology · Both Auto and Manual drainage |
$159.99 | |
Final thoughts
Some people live in climates that are excessively hot, meaning humidity levels will likely also reach extreme highs. This can be a difficult climate for air conditioners to function in and they may struggle to reduce humidity in order to cool a space effectively.
This is where a dehumidifier can come into play and can be used in conjunction with an air conditioner to reduce the humidity level in the room. A dehumidifier is also handy in reducing the energy-consumption of your air conditioner as it helps reduce humidity more rapidly.