When it comes to making our breathing air better, the choice of air purifiers vs. dehumidifiers is the one you have to make with much consideration and thinking. Homes are the sanctuaries that are supposed to make you feel the most relaxed and safe. However, there are times when the air inside your house can be more polluted than the air outside. 

This leads to the common dilemma of air purifiers vs. dehumidifiers- which one do you need? Let’s break down the essentials to understand the difference between an air purifier and a dehumidifier, so you can make an informed choice!

What’s Lurking in Your Air? Common Indoor Air Pollutants

Before directly diving into the solutions, you need to identify what the possible threats are that might be roaming around in your air and causing health implications. There are many kinds of air pollutants, including:

Particulates

This is a broad category that contains a lot of different items, like pet dander and dust mites. Apart from that, it includes pollen, mold spores, and even other asbestos molecules that can cause irritation, asthma attacks, and trigger many allergies. 

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Ever used aerosol sprays and air fresheners? They emit a certain category of gases called volatile organic compounds that can cause long-term health issues, along with nausea and migraines. Other items that produce VOCs are paints, cleaning supplies, and even building materials. 

Odors

Even though odors are not directly harmful and are the most common type of pollutants, they can still snatch away the comfort of your home. Odors coming from pets, urea, and paint can create nausea and vomiting. 

Excess Moisture

Even though excess moisture is not a pollutant, it is a recipe for disaster as it can create the perfect breeding ground for mold, bacteria, dust mites, mildew, and whatnot!

Biological Contaminants:

When your area is poorly ventilated and the air fumes are not exhausted properly, it can cause bacteria and viruses to linger in the air longer. 

What Are Air Purifiers?

When it comes to the debate of air purifiers vs. dehumidifiers, the main job of the air purifier is to “clean” the air you breathe. It filters out the airborne contaminants and passes the air through a series of filters. When the air is released, it’s clean and fresh. 

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Air purifiers use filtration technology that determines their effectiveness:

HEPA Filters (High-Efficiency Particulate Air)

This is the gold standard technology that can filter out 99.7% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. 

Activated Carbon Filters

These types of filters are exceptional in absorbing gases and odors as they can trap chemical molecules in their structure. 

UV-C Light

Some air purifiers use UV-C light to kill airborne contaminants like bacteria and viruses. 

Ionizers

They emit negatively charged particles that stick to contaminants and help them fall onto places where they can be cleaned. 

Benefits of Air Purifiers

• Reduced allergy symptoms by removing all kinds of air pollutants
• Improved respiratory health by providing cleaner air
• Reduction in the spread of airborne germs
• Better sleep quality due to comfort in breathing

What Are Dehumidifiers?

Dehumidifiers have a simpler job when it comes to air purifiers vs. dehumidifiers. They do not clean the air, but they reduce the level of moisture in the air. This also contributes to the improvement of air quality.

How Do Dehumidifiers Work?

Dehumidifiers work on the refrigeration principle, where the moist air is drawn into the unit by a fan in the system. The drawn air then passes through a cold coil, which condenses the water molecules into droplets. 

After this, the water gets collected and expelled into a collection bucket or a hose. The now-dry air is then released into the room after going through a warm coil that slightly reheats the air. 

Benefits of Dehumidifiers

• Prevents mold and mildew growth by reducing moisture 
• Increased comfort in breathing
• Reducing dust mites by lowering humidity levels
• Removing damp and musty odor from the room

Air Purifiers vs. Dehumidifiers: Making the Right Choice

Making the right choice between air purifiers vs. dehumidifiers is essential when it comes to improving your air quality. Here are a few things that will help you make the right decision:

Assessing Your Home Environment

Assess your living conditions and the area you live in, since understanding your environment is the key. Do you live near a busy road or a coastal area?

Identifying Your Symptoms

Ask yourself: Are you feeling itchy in the nose? Are you allergic to anything? Or do you feel difficulty in breathing because of dampness? Is there a musty smell in your house?

Budget and Maintenance

Instead of looking at the immediate expenditure, consider the long-term cost and benefit to see what you need more. Since both devices need maintenance, that’s a cost you should consider. 

Can You Use Both? A Combined Approach

The answer to that question is: YES! You can use both as they tackle different things. However, if you have a problem that prevails more often, and the budget is limited, you’d have to consider the one that solves most things for you. 

Conclusion

Thinking about air purifiers vs. dehumidifiers, you need to consider many factors to make an informed decision. Nevertheless, always try to go for a high-quality air purifier from Big Water, or a high-efficiency dehumidifier to make the expenditure worth it. After all, a breath of fresh air is everything a person needs!