Do I Need A Dehumidifier And Air Conditioner?
A Dehumidifier or Air Conditioner? What are my options?
As Melbourne becomes increasingly humid, residents are faced with the question of how to tackle the humidity. Many people are unsure whether they need a dehumidifier or an air conditioner, and whether air conditioners can effectively dehumidify. Let’s explore your options.
The main questions we get asked are:
How do I reduce the humidity in my home?
Do air conditioners also work as dehumidifiers?
Dehumidifiers vs. air conditioners
What Does A Dehumidifier Do?
A dehumidifier is an standalone appliance designed to reduce and maintain the level of humidity in the air.
You may be wondering how a dehumidifier works? A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air but does not cool it. The dry air does lower the perceived temperature, but not to the same degree as air conditioning.
Refrigerant Dehumidifiers
Is the most common type of dehumidifier, moist air is drawn in by the dehumidifier and cooled to a temperature where the moisture condenses and separates from the air.
- A fan draws warm, humid air from the room into the dehumidifier
- The air passes over a refrigerated coil, causing water vapor to condense into liquid water.
- The condensed water drips into a collection tank or is drained away.
- The now drier air is reheated and released back into the room
Unlike an air conditioner, a dehumidifier does not expel warm air into the room, and it can be placed in the room without external vents.
This is the Mitsubishi Model so you can see how they are a stand alone product.
We install their air conditioning systems and they are always reliable!
Using a dehumidifier can provides the following benefits:
- Mould and Mildew Prevention: Dehumidifiers help prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which can be harmful to health.
- Allergy Relief: Reduces allergens like dust mites and mold spores, making it easier for individuals with allergies or asthma to breathe.
- Improved Comfort: Dehumidifiers can make indoor air feel cooler and more comfortable.
- Protection of Belongings: Keeping humidity level lower protects furniture, electronics, and other items from moisture damage
- Slip Prevention: High humidity makes hard surfaces and flooring slippery
In Australia, humidity is high in coastal regions for most of the year, and people often struggle to cope with the high humidity.
Bureau of Meteorology studies shows that cities like Melbourne experience high relative humidity year-round. It is exceptionally high in the winter months – May, June, July and August. In such places, it is better to eliminate excess moisture by installing a dehumidifier.
If you have a room that gets condensation on the walls and windows. You may notice mould on the curtains and furniture near the windows.
A dehumdifier will remove the moisture from this room without making it colder.
The other option is to install a heater in the room to heat it up and dry it out. But if you do not use this room everyday. The heating costs will be high. It is more cost effective to run a dehumidifier.
The dilemma with dehumidifiers and air conditioners is that they are designed to either cool or just remove excess moisture.
If you have a Reverse Cycle air conditioning either ducted or a split system, the good news is that these air conditioners do have some dehumidification benefits already as refrigerated cooling does create “dry air”
Refrigerated Cooling Explained
- The air conditioner draws warm air from the room into the indoor unit.
- This air passes over a refrigerated coil which cools the water air. This process also causes water vapor in the air to cool and condense. This gathers as water droplets and these are drained away..
- The now cooler and DRIER air is blown back into the room.
- The refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air and transfers the heat it to the outdoor unit.
- A fan blows outdoor air over the refrigerant coil, causing the refrigerant to release the heat outside
Have You Noticed “Dry Mode”
Newer and more efficient systems feature a Dry Mode and many overlook this setting
You can switch to the dehumidification mode with a single touch of a button on your remote control or smart devices.
The DRY MODE is usually a water droplet and it will look something like this on your control area.
By setting your system to “dry” it will reduce the moisture output even further.This setting comes in handy in summer and winter by reducing the moisture content in the air without affecting the temperature.
If you have split systems there will be parts of the home that do not get full coverage and this maybe when a dehumidifier is needed in parts of the home to remove the excess moisture from the room.
Evaporative Cooling Explained
An evaporative air conditioner, works by using evaporation to cool the air
- A fan draws hot, dry outside air into the unit.
- The air passes through water-soaked cooling pads
- As the air flows through the pads, the water evaporates, absorbing heat from the air and cooling it.
- The now cooler and more humid air is then blown into the room or building by a fan.
Benefits and Limitations
- Evaporative coolers are most effective in hot, dry climates where the air can absorb a lot of moisture before becoming saturated.
- They add moisture to the air, which can be beneficial in arid regions but may be undesirable in humid areas.
- Evaporative coolers use significantly less energy than traditional air conditioners, making them a more energy-efficient option.
- However, they are less effective in humid conditions and may not cool the air as much as refrigerated air conditioners.
Evaporative air conditioners are an effective and energy-efficient way to cool indoor spaces in hot, dry climates. If the climate is humid – they are ineffective.
More Melbournians are finding that their evaporative air conditioning is no longer effective.
Should I Switch To A Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner?
This depends entirely on the climatic conditions in your area and the condition of your property.
For example, if you reside in Queensland or Sydney and Darwin it is generally advisable to invest in reverse cycle air conditioning to dry the air and keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
If you are in Melbourne – It may also be a great move.
If you currently have evaporative cooling, you are probably using gas for your heating.
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If you’d like to know more about how to beat the heat this summer, contact Beyond Heating and Cooling to find a suitable solution that will keep you comfortable.
