We all love the moment when we come in from the hot outdoors into a nice cool refreshing building. Or how about when we go downstairs into a basement and find no humidity in the air?
It’s great, right? There is nothing worse than a dingy damp basement. Many homeowners depend on home appliances such as air conditioners and dehumidifiers. But, the question still remains: what is the difference, and which one is better than the other overall?
The question of AC vs. dehumidifier is an old debate. The answer lies in which one suits your individual needs the best. Let’s have a look at the two appliances and then you can decide for yourself.
Dehumidifier vs AC Comparisons
| TYPE | FEATURES |
|---|---|
Air Conditioner |
Features
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Dehumidifier |
Features
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Dehumidifier vs AC Pros & Cons
| TYPE | PROS | CONS |
|---|---|---|
Air Conditioner |
PROS
|
CONS
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Dehumidifier |
PROS
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CONS
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Taking a Closer Look
Once you have determined which one of these appliances will work best for your needs, it is time to examine the different types. Not all air conditioners and dehumidifiers are the same; they are all differentiated by a few crucial details. Even when looking at dehumidifier vs air conditioner power consumption, you’ll get varied results.
Types Of Air Conditioner
Window Air Conditioners
These units are installed in a window that is partially open. They are not used to cool down the entire house, therefore the energy efficiency is higher with this type.
Portable
This is a type of system that is placed on the inside of a room. Hot air is taken from the house using a hose vent. These systems are easily moveable and capable of being placed wherever you wish them to be.
Ductless
This is a system that has two separate units (outdoor and indoor) and it does not require the use of ducts. The indoor unit carries the power to the outdoor unit.
Central
Central air conditioning is used to cool entire buildings, as opposed to singular rooms. The system uses a large compressor to produce the cooling effect.
Types Of Dehumidifier
Desiccant
A chemical known as ‘desiccant’ is used in this dehumidifier with the purpose of absorbing and releasing moisture. It is a good machine in regard to consistency. Desiccant units tend to avoid power fluctuations, which can reduce the electric bill.
Thermoelectric
This system utilizes something called a ‘Peltier module’. Electricity gets run through the module, leaving one side of the module cold, and one side hot. The cold side is where the air loses its humidity
Refrigerated Coil
These dehumidifiers work in a way that is similar to refrigerators. Hot air is passed through the fan and the refrigerated coil. The coil traps the moisture from the air, thereby removing the humidity.
Examining The Options
Honeywell, GE MN10CES
So now that we understand the difference between the two machines, let’s try focussing more specifically about what you’re looking for. Whether you want a dehumidifier, an air conditioner, or both, you need to decide which features are the most important to you. Different products all have their pros and cons, but these are a few that stood out favorably.
If you have no excess moisture issues in your home, you will likely be looking at an air conditioner vs. a dehumidifier. If you just want something simple, perhaps for only one or two rooms, then one option in particular is the Honeywell MN10CES. It is small and portable and does not use as much energy as central air does.
Pros
- small and portable
- energy efficient
- easy for transport
- plus easy-to-install
Cons
- too noisy
Frigidaire FFAD3533W1 Dehumidifier
Another reason to consider a dehumidifier is the health benefits that it provides to you and your family. You can read more on that here. If someone in your family has asthma, or if you are simply conscious about good health, try looking at the Frigidaire 35-pint model. Seeing as this unit can remove 35 pints of moisture from your home every day, it is definitely considered to be a highly capable machine.
Pros
- energy efficient
- less audible noise
- moisture removal
- reliable
- plus with a built-in pump
Cons
- N/A
Looking at dehumidifier vs. ac cost. If price is a determining factor for you then there are cost-efficient alternatives for each. An AC unit can be fairly pricey, but you can get cheaper models that install in an open window. As for dehumidifiers, they all tend to fare well in pricing, making them quite affordable, unless you’re looking at installing a permanent system in your home.
What’s the deal with a dehumidifier vs. ac dry mode? You’ve probably never heard of a dry mode on an AC unit before, have you? It’s a function that actually helps reduce the moisture in the air on those extremely hot and humid days. So, given this information, you could probably use an AC unit to tackle both of your needs and skip a dehumidifier altogether.
Conclusion
So once again, we are asking ourselves which is better: dehumidifiers or air conditioning units? They are both extremely useful inventions that improve the quality of life all around the world. Personally, I use a Whynter portable unit (from Amazon). This is because I enjoy its compact shape, making it easier to move to different rooms. To conclude, air conditioners remove the hot air from your home, while dehumidifiers decrease the level of humidity in the air. And when looking at dehumidifier power consumption vs air conditioner, it does seem that a dehumidifier is best, in that regard.
They work well if they are paired together, yet they also function completely fine independently. Do you think you’ll need one of these? Or maybe you’ll need both. Hopefully, this article can aid you in that decision.
Let us know if you have any further questions about air conditioners or dehumidifiers! Did a particular product work well for you? Let us know, we’d love to hear about it!
Last update on 2025-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
