What's pro & con between Air Conditioner & Dehumidifier?
Question:I'm considering buying dehum. for my living room instead of AC because dehum. consumes less electricity. Is that true? What factors should I consider before buying dehumidifier?
Answers:
I have a large house with 2 central air units but I'm not about to run my A/C bill up higher by keeping the downstairs unit running constantly just to wring out my bathroom air! So I bought a Whirlpool 50 quart dehumidifier that I use in the master bathroom in the summer and in my experience they are better for removing the 'wet feeling' from the air and walls than it is for cooling.
It is cheaper to run a dehumidifier but they have two distinct issues that you might not like:
1. They're noisy. When the condenser runs, it's very loud. Not a hum or a purr, but louder than a window A/C. If you have one of these in your living room you'll have to adjust your tv volume every time it kicks on.
2. They produce heat. As the condenser and fan runs, it pours out warm air. Enough to notice. Oh, that's *nice* in the summer!
I like mine and am happy with the purchase, but mine is only to keep my bathroom from becoming a mildew pit in the summer. I'd recommend it only as an A/C replacement if you find your indoor temperature to be comfortable but more humid than you'd like. Buy one that's big enough for your whole house and keep it out of the main living areas but in an area that gets good air circulation.
the DH will not cool the air. so it needs less power.
But why suffer from the heat when you can also cool the air?
Dehumidifiers are better for reducing humidity in cool locations. They chill the air, allow condensation, then warm it up again as the air passes through the condenser coils. But there is a net gain in wasted heat, and your room will warm up. This is basic physics- there's always wasted heat.
A/C cools the air, water condenses, and the cool air goes on out to cool the room. So it dehumidifies as well. The hot condenser coils are outside; they radiate the heat to the outside air. So you will be well and truly cooled.
So if it's hot and humid, you need A/C. If it's just humid, you need a DH.
They do completely different jobs.I have a dehumidifier because I get a lot of condensation, and this machine removes both moisture and dust. As an asthmatic this is great. An A/c both warms the air and cools it.In New Zealand we call them heat pumps. They pump warm air from ground, and the fan circulates the air. If you were thinking of a dehumidifier you would be best advised to get the sort that fits in your roofspace. It will cover the whole house.However remember it won't cool your air. On the contrary it warms it.As far as cost goes, in Nz the roof unit and A/c are very similar in price.I would have both if I could afford it.Check before you go ahead.Good Luck!
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