Dehumidifiers Archives - Page 4 of 5 -

When is it Too Cold to Run Air Conditioner for Dehumidifying?

One of the functions of an air conditioner is that it simultaneously lowers the humidity inside of the house when it is running. But unfortunately as the temperature drops outside so does the performance of the AC as both a cooler and a dehumidifier.

WHEN IS IT TOO COLD TO RUN A AIR CONDITIONER?

Air conditioners and dehumidifiers are not meant to be run when the temperature is below 65° for any extended time.

There are two reasons for this.

1. Freezing up
2. Oil is to Thick

1. Freezing up
When the air outside is too cold, the warm air that would normally turn into condensation as it crosses over the cooling coils is too cool already and instead of forming condensation it turns to ice.

2. 2. Oil is to Thick
AC Compressors are made to work in warm weather which means that they require a thicker grade of oil. This is because when the temperature is warm, it thins down the oil to a good operating thickness. But when the temperature outside is not warm enough to thin the oil, it remains thick and does not supply the level of lubrication needed without causing a risk of damaging the air conditioning compressor.

Most of the time there is not any use for an air conditioner in the cool months. And turning the heater on helps dry the air out as fast or faster than a dehumidifier.

On the occasion you need to turn on the air conditioner in the winter for a few minutes, the risk of damaging it is minimal. But turning on the air conditioner and leaving it to cycle on and off is asking for problems.

If you have excessive moisture caused from a leak or flooding and need more than just a fan or a heater to help dry up the air in the winter months, dehumidifiers can be purchased that can be operated at much lower temperatures.

These dehumidifiers come in two different types.

1. Dehumidifier with defrost
2. Desiccant dehumidifier

1.Dehumidifier with Defrost

A Dehumidifier with defrost mode is exactly what it sounds like.

Since the standard dehumidifier runs exactly like a refrigerated air conditioning unit which pulls warm air over the AC coils and condenses it into a bucket or outside by the means of a garden hose.
Freezing over when the temperature is too low is a problem.
What’s the solution? Adding a defroster to the unit that cycles on and off keeping the cooling coils from freezing over.
These dehumidifiers are made with areas like a cold damp basement in mind.

2. Desiccant dehumidifier

Desiccant dehumidifiers work by the means of a chemical adsorber which is called a desiccant.

A desiccant can be as simple as a product cold “damprid” which is a product that comes in a small container that is opened and left to absorb moisture in a small area.

A desiccant dehumidifier is a little more complicated than that. The desiccant in a dehumidifier is not only used as an absorber it is also heated up to release humidity also.

A two-part process where humid air is pulled into the dehumidifier and absorbed, reheated into humidity form again and then caught in a tank as condensation.

Desiccant dehumidifiers do not have the capacity to pull large amounts of moisture out of the air like the regular refrigerated condensing units do.

In fact they have been described as a way to keep dry air dry.

This is probably a good point to tell you that the chemical that they use to adsorb air is the same chemical in gel packs and does have an odor.

Nevertheless there are some applications like condensation in the bathroom where a desiccant dehumidifier maybe preferred because it does not rely on a loud compressor running to do the job.

A desiccant dehumidifier can also be a good alternative and a damp basement is long as it is not excessively damp.

Again, running a compressor base dehumidifier can be pretty loud, definitely loud enough to interfere with the TV or sound and video recording.

But a desiccant dehumidifier is definitely not useful in a remedial flood damage type situation.

Recap

When is it too cold to run an air conditioner?

65°

When the temperature outside gets to about 65°, the air passing over the cooling coils on an air conditioner has a tendency to start freezing up. At that point not only will you not have AC, you do not have any of the dehumidifying properties of an AC either.

Another problem with running the AC in the winter is that the oil that is used in the AC compressor is a summer specific thicker grade that thins in warmer weather.

When the temperature outside is not warm enough, the oil does not thin out properly leaving the compressor to work without the proper lubrication which could mean eventual damage to your unit.

Are you going to turn your AC on and winter and have a complete breakdown? Probably not.

There are times when you you may need to turn on the air conditioner in the winter for a few minutes to make sure it works, in that kind of circumstances you should be fine.

If you are using your AC to dehumidify, the same problems exist.

High humidity usually comes with high heat so once the Heat has tapered off, the humidity tapers off too.

If you are having a problem with humidity inside of your house in the cool months, there may be moisture getting into the house through other means.

Dehumidifiers that work in cooler temperatures can be purchased.

For excessive humidity in the winter, dehumidifiers with defrosters and defrost mode are available to help pull the large amount of humidity from your air.

If humidity in the winter is only a casual problem whereas the windows are getting condensation or you have an art room that is too damp for your paint to dry, you might go with a desiccant dehumidifier instead.

Desiccant dehumidifiers use a chemical absorber that pulls a much lower level of humidity out of the air is much quieter than the typical dehumidifier.

and if you are going to use one in a small area like a arts and craft room, beware that the chemical used in these dehumidifiers does have a small odor.

How to Lower Humidity in a House?

What humidity level is uncomfortable?

As the old saying goes ” it’s not the heat, it’s the Humidity”

Most people have a hard time dealing with high humidity. The temperature can be somewhat mild but then humidity outside can make it feel extra hot. Andt at a certain time of the year, namely the late summer heading into fall, there are days when you can turn the air conditioner on and not even feel it because of the humidity in the air.

According to shorstmeyer.com, the humidity that most people start to feel uncomfortable is about 65% with the temperature at 90° outside.

Is 65 humidity high?

65% humidity is about the top of the scale before it becomes too miserable for most people. At 65%, according to the heat index, the temperature at 88 degrees feels more like 98°.

Is 70 percent humidity high?

70% humidity can make a 96° day feel like 126° outside. And at 70% humidity, dust mites and mold begin to be a real problem. For persons allergic to dust mites and mold spores 70% humidity can be more than hot, it can be a nightmare.

What causes high humidity in a house?

High humidity can begin in the house with the simplest everyday activities that you wouldn’t give too much of a thought to otherwise.

High humidity in the house can start from activities like:

1. Cooking – boiling water
2. Bathing – showering
3. Drying your clothes
4. Washing the dishes
5. Dirty AC filters
6. Setting the thermostat to “on” rather than Auto
7. Location-climate

Other reasons can include actual structure problems like:

1. Poor ventilation
2. Improper insulation
3. Weather stripping need replaced

How to lower humidity in house

1. Dehumidifier
2. Air Conditioning
3. Ventilation and exhaust fans
4. Heater
5. Dehumidifying plants
6. Fans
7. Shorter & Cooler showers
8. Change thermostat to “auto”
9. Crack the window
10. Charcoal dehumidifier
11. Rock Salt dehumidifier
12. Rice dehumidifier
13. Cat litter

1. Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are mobile devices that work almost entirely the same way that a air conditioner does to remove humidity except that it expels heat into the room rather than cool air.

Dehumidifiers are great for areas like a damp basement or an areas where there has been leaking pipes and or water damage.

Dehumidifiers reduce the moisture by pulling air over refrigerated coils that cause the moisture in the air to condense.

The moisture is then captured into a tank or ran outside with a garden hose.

2. Air conditioning

Air conditioners and dehumidifiers are essentially the same machine only the air conditioners are used to cool the air and dehumidify the air as a byproduct.

Air conditioning is one of the easiest and most effective ways of reducing the humidity inside of the home provided it’s a refrigerated unit that condenses the humidity into the air and moves it outside.
Other types of air conditioners called “swamp coolers” or “evaporative air coolers” will increase the humidity because they are basically fans blowing over water.

3. Ventilation and exhaust

The main rooms in the house that have exhaust fans are the rooms the create the most humidity. The bathroom and the kitchen.
Showers and baths will steam up the house quicker than anything. It’s important to keep the exhaust fan running while you are taking a shower or bath to reduce humidity damage to your structure as well as mildew and mold production.

The kitchen is also a room that creates a lot of humidity from cooking and boiling water. It’s important to keep a lid on your pots and have the exhaust fan running to reduce the humidity produced by simply cooking.

4. Heater

Though most of the time people notice the level of humidity in the air is during the summer, winter also has its fair share of humidity buildup inside of the home.

You probably noticed water droplets and condensation building up on the Windows during the winter.

One of the easiest things to do during the winter to reduce the humidity is simply running the heater. Hot dry air coming from the heater will naturally dry out the moisture in the air.

5. Dehumidifying plants

Plants are natural dehumidifiers. And some prefer more humidity than others.
Some house plants that you can put in your home to help reduce the humidity in the house are:
a. English ivy
b. Boston fern
c. Peace lily
d. Reed palm

6. Fans

Using fans positioned around the house is also a natural way to reduce the humidity. Having fans operating is a simple way to dry the air out.

7. Shorter and cooler showers

A simple way to keep your bathroom from becoming a steamy Haze is to turn the temperature down on the water and not run it as long.
Another word if you don’t like the steamy feeling in the room don’t produce the steam in the first place.

8. Change AC thermostat to auto

There are many proponents for keeping your air conditioning thermostat on the on position because helps keep the air more evenly cooled when the AC cycles off.
But the other side of that argument is that the condensation never gets a chance to drip out before it evaporates and gets blown back into the house as humidity.
Keeping your thermostat on “auto” will help the dehumidifying function of the AC work much better and save you money in the long run.

9. Crack the windows

Sometimes the easiest way to reduce the humidity inside is to crack the window and open the door.
Of course if the humidity outside is 90%, this is not going to work.
But if the inside of the house feels extra muggy, opening the windows and letting the air exchange will help freshen up the room and keep the humidity down.

The next four suggestions falls under the “home remedies for absorbing moisture” heading. These are products that you probably have around the house already that you may not have known were excellent for absorbing moisture and reducing the humidity in the air.

10. Charcoal dehumidifier

Charcoal is a natural dehumidifier that can be a super easy DIY project.
According to Readers digest, charcoal briquettes can be placed in a coffee can with hose punched into the lid and placed in humid areas to absorb moisture.

Placing charcoal briquettes in bookshelves that have glass doors is a librarians trick for keeping musty odors and mowed from getting inside of old books

11. Rock salt dehumidifier

If you have ever owned a pink Himalayan salt lamp, you have noticed that it appears to leak water.
But in actuality it is not leaking water but pulling moisture out of the air onto itself and dripping off.
The same concept can be used with rock salt.
The rock salt humidifier can be easily built by taking an everyday planting pot and filling it with rock salt. The planter works good because as the salt draws moisture to itself and leaks it has a place to leak into instead of the floor.

12. Rice dehumidifier

You’ve probably heard that if you drop your phone into the toilet you can throw it in some rice afterwards. I’m not sure I’ve ever known anyone that that is work for. But rice can definitely soak up moisture from the air over a period of time.
After all, you can put a cup of rice in a pan and fill it with water and the rice will practically absorb every bit of the water.
This is the same concept as placing small containers of rice around a room to help with humidity.

13. Cat litter dehumidifier

Kitty litter is excellent at absorbing moisture. Not only can it be used for your cats, it will also draw a moisture from the air.
An easy DIY cat litter dehumidifier is to fill a tube sock with kitty litter and hang it in the closet or wherever you’re having an issue with moisture.

One application is to hang it from the rear view mirror in your car, which can help keep your windshield from condensation building up on the inside.

Recap

Humidity is the difference the temperature being mild outside and insufferably hot.
At 65 and 70% humidity, the temperature can feel 20° hotter.
And when the humidity is at those levels, household allergens like dust mites rise in population considerably.

But when you have high humidity in your house, there are many things you can do to reduce the humidity including some easy do-it-yourself dehumidifiers that can be made with products you already have around the house.

Dehumidifier vs AC – Do Dehumidifiers Cool the Air?

A dehumidifier will help cool a room because it’s function is to lower the humidity in the room and excessive humidity can make it feel hotter than it actually is. But you should not expect the room to cool off while the unit is running because it expels heat into the room at the same time.

Dehumidifier vs AC

Dehumidifier

Primarily use for damp spaces like basements and flooding restoration
Mobile
Catches moisture in a container or is ran outside with a garden hose.
Expels heat in the same room it’s used in.
Heats the room.

Primarily used to cool the air down
Stationary
Moisture is piped outside.
Expels heat in the same room it’s used in.
Expels heat outside

Dehumidifiers and air conditioners both reduce the moisture in the air, and they both do so in exactly the same manner.Warm air is passed over the condenser coils which causes the water in the air to condense. Which then goes into a attached container or ran outside with a hose or pipe.

But there are some differences between the two.

Namely what they are used for.

Dehumidifiers are used for remediation in areas like a damp basement that does not have any windows or AC vents piped into it.

Because of the basements proximity to the ground, it is usually a moist place where mold growth takes root fairly easy.

Operating a dehumidifier in the basement will rob mold of the moisture it needs to feed and live.

Dehumidifiers, being mobile are also used to help with flood damage and restoration.

How the moisture is captured.

Dehumidifiers have a tank that the condensed moisture drains into. Most have a connector that you can run a garden hose too so that the water runs outside.

Air conditioners are all in one, and in the case of a central AC, the condensed moisture is piped outside. Window air conditioners typically have a hole in the bottom of the casing that drips the condensation outside behind the unit to.

Another difference is the way that heat is expelled from Humidifier.

Since dehumidifiers are mobile and are ran primarily in a single room at a time, the heat that is exhausted from it is released in the same room. Which is good to keep removing moisture but will also heat the room up.

Most people have walked behind a the back of an air conditioner and felt the heat coming off of it. That’s exactly the type of heat you get with a dehumidifier, only the heat is not being expelled outside.

So even though a dehumidifier will reduce the humidity, which in turn will cause the air to be drier and more comfortable after it is used,
So you shouldn’t expect the room to be cooler while the dehumidifier is running.

Air conditioning is stationary and located so that the heat generated is always exhausted outside.

should you run a dehumidifier and an air conditioner at the same time?

Using a dehumidifier at the same time as the air conditioner can be redundant since both reduce the moisture in the air.
But there are times when running both machines can be an advantage.

When the humidity is excessive, you can put extra strain on the air conditioning, which can lead to extra high energy bill, more repairs, and lower the lifespan of the AC.

Running a separate dehumidifier can take the extra work off of the AC in this type of situation.

Also there are rooms in the house where the AC does not reach as well.

Trying to dry the basement with the air conditioner is not likely to do a very good job. It takes a separate device like a dehumidifier to dry the room out satisfactory.

But there are also times when running a dehumidifier with the air conditioning on will do more to make the room hot and muggy than it will to cool off the room and aid the air conditioner.

If you were to put a dehumidifier in the living room , it would basically be like taking a window air conditioner and sitting it on the table. Though it may be reducing the humidity, it is also pouring hot air out of the back.

So in that case, it would be counteractive to run the air conditioning and a humidifier at the same time.

Is it cheaper to run AC or dehumidifier?

It is cheaper to run a dehumidifier than to run the AC because an air conditioner cycles all the way on and all the way off repeatedly. (Unless it is an inverter AC) Dehumidifiers do not have the same type of cycling schedule nor do they turn completely off over and over.
Powering an AC completely on and off takes more energy than a dehumidifier.

Recap

Will a dehumidifier cool off a room?

A dehumidifier expels heat from the rear of the machine. Though it will reduce the humidity that can cause the temperature to seem hotter than what it is, the heat coming off of the dehumidifier will reheat the room.

If you run a dehumidifier for a while, then let the room air out, you will likely find that that room is more comfortable than it was before you ran the dehumidifier.

But as an air cooler, it is definitely better to use an air conditioner. Not only will the air conditioner cool the room, it will also dehumidify as it’s cooling.

Dehumidifiers are made more as a mobile unit to place in a room that doesn’t have access to air conditioning such as a basement. They are also intended to be used as remedial aids for situations like water damage and flood Restoration.

Also being mobile means that the condensation captured by the dehumidifier must either be caught in a tank or ran with a garden hose outside.

Air conditioners on the other hand, can do little in the area of remediation because they are stationary and not meant to move around.

AC Coil Cleaner

Are Himalayan Salt Lamps a Hoax?

Himalayan salt lamps have gathered in popularity over the last few years.

And the truth is they are a pretty sharp-looking novelty item that can add to the ambience of a shaded room nicely.
But having a pinkish, orange and red lamp it’s not really enough to cause the kind of stir they have.
It’s unlikely so many people would be purchasing and hunting these things down if it were just for the look of them.

So why are Himalayan salt lamps so popular?

It’s the health benefits that are associated with using a salt lamp.

There are a number of claims being made about how Himalayan salt lamp can improve your health.

The claims include reducing allergies, lowering asthma triggers, and filtering germs and bacteria out of the air.

The two main health functions that Himalayan salt lamps supposedly perform are:

1.Produce Negative Ions
2.They are Hygroscopic

Himalayan salt lamp hoax?

“Himalayan salt lamps do not create any measurable amount of negative ions but they are conclusively hygroscopic because salt is known to pull moisture out of the air.
Are they a Hoax? 50/50.”

Now I am a skeptic. and certain things like salt lamps just lend themselves to skepticism.

But if you were to show me a study that proves Himalayan salt lamps could actually improve air quality, we can leave it at that.

But unfortunately there is not a single study that can be produced.

But like everything else to do with Himalayan salt lamps, I’ll try to make an educated guess.

One of the biggest claims about Himalayan salt lamps is that they create negative ions.

My first question here is: “Have you ever seen the dust left behind by a negative ion generator?”

Negative ion generators are famous we’re leaving a blanket of dust on the walls and surfaces around around the machine.

It’s so popular they have a phrase that describes it. “Great Wall syndrome” is the effect of negatively charged ions combining with positively charged ions, and either falling to the surface or clinging to the walls.

This is not a effect you get with a Himalayan salt lamp.

Secondly, it’s not just negative ions that affect the mood or atmosphere in an area, it’s the sheer volume of them that makes the difference.

The fresh outdoor feeling you get from a thunderstorm rolling through is caused by an explosion of negative ions created by lightning ,and rain washing contaminants out of the air.

There is also a distinctive smell left behind by a thunderstorm. The smell is ozone.

Negative ionizers also create ozone and it is one of the reasons they come under fire as an air cleaning method.

“But Himalayan salt lamps, if they create negative ions at all, do not manufacture enough ions to leave behind any dust, much less create enough that would be considered the volume to change the atmosphere in a room, and they leave no noticeable smell of ozone behind whatsoever.”

Verdict: Every action has a counter reaction and Himalayan salt lamps don’t have any of the side effects of a negative ionizer simply because they do not ionize air.
( Butt least they don’t generate high levels of ozone as a by-product. That’s healthy!)

They Are Hygroscopic

On this point, I’m not quite as skeptical.

It is known that humidity droplets can actually be microscopic containers that carry air pollutants like bacteria and viruses and help them travel further through a room.

Humidity is also a natural food source for mold spores and dust mites which are known household allergens.

And we all know how miserable humidity can be in certain climates and times of the year.

Consider this:

Himalayan salt lamps are known to attract moisture.

And most concerns about pink Himalayan salt lamps are about the device leaking or melting.

In truth Himalayan salt lamps neither leak or melt.

The water the gatherers on and around a salt lamp is humidity pulled out of the air by the salt.

Seeing is believing.

Unlike the ionic air purifier claims that people make about Himalayan salt lamps which offer no proof either by leaving behind dust or the residual smell of ozone that negative ions create,

A Himalayan salt lamp leaving behind a puddle of water is a very noticeable side effect that can be construed as the salt pulling moisture from the air.

And it is also a fact that sodium chloride(salt) can be used as a dehumidifier and is often stored in the basement to help reduce the natural humidity typically found in the basement.

So on this point, I would have to concede,

“It is possible that a pink Himalayan salt lamp can help purify the air by absorbing potentially harmful humidity droplets from the air.”

Though it is possible, keeping a Himalayan salt lamp will not reduce the humidity in your home nearly as well as turning the air conditioner on or running a dehumidifier.

And as a ionizer, forget it.

Are Himalayan salt lamps safe for cats?

The allure that salt lamps have for cats to lick them, potentially makes them a health hazard for felines and dogs if the lamp is placed where they can get to them.

The potential problem with keeping salt lamps around your animals is that salt can be very addicting for an animal to lick. And they will probably lick the salt till they’re sick or even worst case scenario, to the point of death.

That fact alone is enough to go with the fake version of Himalayan salt lamp in my house.

Why is my salt lamp leaking water?

Another issue that I rarely see people bringing up when it comes to Himalayan salt lamps is the maintenance involved to keep them.

I for one did not realize that you had to keep wiping them off or they would create a puddle underneath them.

It is actually suggested that you place a plastic bag over the salt lamp when it’s not in use so that it will not continue to pull moisture from the air and become sad.

(Yes, the moisture that gathers on the outside of the salt lamp is called crying. And they can get very sad if not attended to. Don’t be so insensitive.)

And the fact that they are so heavy and brittle is not something I anticipated.

Though they are very pretty and obviously add a nice ambience to the room.

I’m still glad I never bought a Himalayan salt lamp as a Christmas gift for someone without knowing how much attention they would need to give it.

On a positive note, if you happen to own a cow, Himalayan salt lamps make an excellent salt lick, chuck full of iron and minerals.
You may be sitting on a delicious glass of milk and didn’t even know it.

Also: Does a Humidifier Help With Dust?

Humidifier vs Dehumidifier

Did you know that the humidity in your home not only can affect the structure of your house, It can interfere with your health to?

Humidity or lack of humidity can have adverse effects on your health it may lead you to begin a search for a humidifier or a dehumidifier.

Humidifier vs dehumidifier

A humidifier is a device that adds moisture to the air, a dehumidifier is a device that subtracts moisture from the air.

What should humidity be in the house?

Without knowing the humidity level in your house, it’s impossible to know whether you need a humidifier for a dehumidifier or either?

The humidity leveling the house that is generally the most comfortable for everyone is 40 to 60%. This study by The National Library of Medicine states “The majority of adverse health effects caused by relative humidity would be minimized by maintaining indoor levels between 40 and 60%. “ A hygrometer is needed to to let you know what the humidity is in your house.

Humidity levels may need to be tweaked throughout the year to keep a level of comfort in the home.

What should humidity be in house in winter?

in the winter you’re shooting for more like 40 to 60% humidity because the air usually much drier in the winter. And with the addition of the furnace running, the air inside of the house can get very dry.

What should humidity be in house in summer?

Humidity in the summer should be kept around 30 to 45%. There are many times when the heat that you are feeling in the summer is humidity. By maintaining a lower humidity, you can achieve comfort and reduce the need for a continuously running AC.

What do you do when the humidity is affecting your overall health? How do you know whether you should add or reduce the humidity

Here is a few tips

Humidifier or dehumidifier for allergies?

Allergies are many times seasonal. And depending on the season, you’re probably able to narrow down whether you need to moisten or dry out the air.
In the winter, a humidifier is usually better when you’re suffering from allergy symptoms.
But in the summer months, humidity can actually help allergens travel further. So you probably need a dehumidifier.

Humidifier or dehumidifier for sinus problems

A humidifier is best for sinus problems when the air is dry. The reason is that the particles that are in the air that can aggravate the sinus cavities will be weighted down with the use of a humidifier which will keep them from floating and entering your nose and mouth. The added moisture will also help relieve the irritation and pain that dry air can do to your sinuses.

Humidifier or dehumidifier for stuffy nose.

A stuffy nose is usually caused by the air being extra dry. When you have a stuffy, stopped up nose, a cool mist humidifier is a great way to reduce the stuffiness and get a better night’s sleep.

Humidifier or dehumidifier for eczema

Dry air can exasperate skin problems, especially eczema. A humidifier is generally the “go to” device for eczema sufferers because it will add moisture to the air and ease the pain associated with eczema.
Humidity can also have an adverse effect on the skin when the moisture in the air is full of mold spores and bacteria.
It’s important that the humidifier be kept clean or if you’re living in a house with a dirty HVAC, that the vents or not distributing mold and dust mites throughout your house.

Consider adding an air purifier to your arsenal. A mold air purifier will help keep bacteria out of the when the humidity is high too.

Keeping the air clean is as important as adding or reducing humidity.

Humidifier or dehumidifier for mold

Moisture is one of the essential ingredients for mold to grow. Anytime the humidity in the home is high, you have chance of mold taking root somewhere.

A dehumidifier will pull moisture out of the air and help starve and mold that is already forming.

But dehumidifiers themselves must be maintained or else they can become a source for mold and spores.

Humidifier or dehumidifier for baby

Babies can be susceptible to bacteria in the air. A humidifier can help clear the congestion in a baby’s chest. But you should also consider pairing it with an air purifier to ensure that bacteria and mold are introduced to a baby’s room through adding humidity to the air.

Keeping the humidifier clean and filled with distilled water is a must when it comes to babies.

During the hot, muggy months of the year, a dehumidifier can make the air easier to breathe. And the baby you can suffer from the uncomfortable effects of high humidity just like everyone else.

Humidifier or dehumidifier for snoring

Snoring is usually related the air being hot and dry.
A humidifier will add moisture to the air that can help soothe the larynx
And help you breathe a little easier while sleeping.
Some people refer to turn the heat up and dress less in the winter.
This is a recipe for snoring.
Cool air is easier to breathe. Consider turning the heat down and adding more covers or wearing pajamas with a cool mist humidifier running.

Humidifier or dehumidifier for cough

A dry cough can be helped with the use of a humidifier. When conditions are dry, a humidifier can aid in hoping to loosen up mucus and phlegm.
Humidifiers often come with compartments that allow essential oils like eucalyptus and oregano to be dispersed into the air and help you recover from a cough faster and add a soothing agent to the air make it easier to breathe.

Humidifier or dehumidifier for nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are a symptom of dry air.

Even now you can find many homes that still have the furnace under the floor with the heat coming out through a grill.

To avoid the furnace making the air too dry and the kids getting dry bloody noses, a pot of water is placed on the grill so that the water will evaporate and moisten the air. Clove or eucalyptus might be added to add an extra layer of soothing.
A humidifier does the same thing.
When you are getting a nosebleed from the climate, you will want to pick a humidifier over a dehumidifier.

Why is My House so Humid with the AC On?

Why is my house so humid with the AC on? If the air conditioner is not reducing at least a little bit of humidity in the home, then you know there is an issue somewhere. And finding out what that issue is is hopefully not too difficult. Following is a few of the most common issues when the humidity is overtaking the AC.

AC is cooling but not removing humidity

One of the most common reasons that the air continues to feel humid when the AC is running is that the thermostat is s set on “on’ instead of “auto”.

1.AC fan mode

When the AC fan mode on the thermostat is on the “on” position, it continues to run after the compressor has shut down.

What does that have to do with the house feeling humid?

Because as a air conditioner is cooling the air it is also gathering the humidity from the air in the form of condensation on the refrigerant coils.

And then when the air conditioner cycles off, the moisture gathered on the condenser coils drains into a drip pan and either continues through a drain line outside or is pumped outside with a condensate pump.

But when the AC fan mode is set on the “on” position, the condensation that has gathered on the refrigerant coils doesn’t get a opportunity to drip off. Instead it is blown by the fan which is causing it to evaporate back into the ductwork.

Which means that even though it is gathering the moisture out of your air as the air conditioner is running, it is circulating it back around your house while the AC compressor has cycled off.

Try turning the AC to “auto mode” and seeing if the air starts to feel less humid.

Humidity goes up when the AC is on

2. Foam insulation

Another reason build a home can feel extra humid with the AC on is the type of insulation that is used in the Attic.

Foam insulation is notorious what causing the Attic to be extra humid.

Heat and moisture from the attic can
make its way into your duct system a few different ways.

3. Leaky ducts

If your ductwork has got any leaks, it can be pulling hot humid air from the attic into your ductwork and then into your home.

4. Kitchen fans

If the powered vents above your range are extra strong, they could be pulling air from the attic.

When the Attic is the source of the humidity that is circulating in your home , there’s a couple of things you can do to alleviate the problem.

1. Have your attic inspected make sure that it is sealed properly.
2. Have you heard ductwork checked for leaks.
3. Run a dehumidifier in the Attic.
4. Reroute the ductwork so that the Attic is air conditioned along with the rest of the house.

House feels damp with AC on

A.Heat rises

Sometimes you might find that the reason your house is feeling humid is the layout of the house itself.

If you have a two or three story house and the top floors feel extra humid compared to the bottom floor then your air handler is not equipped to handle the downstairs and upstairs equally.

You may find that you need to run a dehumidifier upstairs to help your air conditioner run easier and do a much better job at controlling the climate inside your house.

B. Room is muggy

Many times it’s not the whole house that feels muggy with the AC on. It could be relegated to just one or two rooms.

The most obvious solution is that the ductwork that specific room is leaking and mixing the humidity from the attic for crawl space with the air coming into the room.

5.Ductwork design

If the ductwork is not zoned correctly or if additional vents have been added to the zones, the rooms were they additional vents have been added may not get the same level of dehumidification that the AC provides to the rest of the house.

Some rooms like basements do not even have AC ducts ran to them. Proximity to the moist ground is usually the culprit for high humidity in the basement.

Running a dehumidifier is a great way to dry out the basement and make it useful and livable.

Recap

Does your house feel extra humid when the AC is on?

And air conditioner is made to dehumidify the air as it is cooling. One of the primary ways it cools the air is by reducing the moisture in the air.

So when your ear feels extra humid with the AC on, it is definitely not a natural cause.

What are the main reasons a house will feel muggy when the air conditioner is on is that the humidity that the AC is supposed to be reducing is being redistributed throughout the house.

This can happen when the AC fan mode is switch to the on position so that the fan is running continuously when the AC compressor has cycled off.

” AC auto mode” is the setting on the thermostat to use to ensure that the humidity gathered on the condenser coils drains rather than being evaporated and redistributed around the house.

Another culprit for humidity getting into the house with the AC on is leaky ducts. If your ductwork has leaks in it, then the humid air inside of the attic can leak inside of your home through your ductwork.

Another reason that the home feels muggy with the AC on could be the layout of the house. If for instance, the house is a two-story house, the top level may feel extra humid simply because heat rises.

A easy fix that will not only reduce the humidity on the second floor as well as aid the air conditioner is a dehumidifier.

Do it yourself AC Coil Cleaner

Difference Between Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier

What is the difference between a air conditioner and a dehumidifier?

The difference between an air conditioner and a dehumidifier is where the warm air and condensation that the unit is generating are dispelled.

Air conditioners dispel the heat and moisture outside of the house and a dehumidifier dispels the heat and moisture inside of the house. (Though most modern dehumidifiers have a port to drain the water with a garden hose to a sink or outside)

Mechanically they are very much the same. Both have a hot side and a cold side.

The difference is how they are used.

And the air conditioner is primarily used to cool down a room. So the hot side of the air conditioner is outside.

A dehumidifier is used to reduce the moisture in the air. Instead of dispersing the hot air outside of the room, it releases it back into the room.

Releasing the hot air back into the room helps the dehumidifier continue to draw out more humidity from the air.

Do dehumidifiers cool a room?

A dehumidifier is not made to cool a room. Though indirectly it will help the room feel more comfortable because of the reduction of humidity.

But remember the heat generated from the dehumidifier is being released back into the room as it is dehumidifying.

And though the heat may not be significant because of the lack of moisture in the air now that the dehumidifier is running, there is still going to be an increase in the temperature.

Do dehumidifiers help with heat?

Dehumidifiers do help with heat in directly because they reduce the moisture in the air that is perceived as heat.

But you should know that the room that the dehumidifier is being used in is not going to be cooler.

How much heat does a dehumidifier create?

Think about it this way. If you were to take a window air conditioner and sit in the middle of the room, one side of the air conditioner would be cool and the other side would be hot.

With a dehumidifier, you’re only getting the hot.

Dehumidifiers are meant to reduce the humidity in the home more as a way to reduce the effect of moisture on the structure of the house and as a preventative for mold growth then they are as a way manage the climate in the house.
The fact that a dehumidifier can make the room feel more comfortable is more like a happy side-effect.

Air conditioner as a dehumidifier

Does AC dehumidify?

An air conditioner also dehumidifies the air as it is operating. Part of the way it is able to cool the air is it is pulling moisture out of the air and draining it outside.

Air conditioning is infinitely better as a dehumidifier because it not only cools the house as it is dehumidifying, it disperses the hot air outside and drains the condensation in the outside as well.

Many central air conditioners come with a dry mode setting to be able to dehumidify a room without cooling it when the outdoor temperature is more muggy than hot.

Is dry mode more economical?

Dry mode consumes much less energy than cool mode on the AC because it runs the compressor at about half-speed.

Does a dehumidifier use a lot of electricity?

Dehumidifiers are known energy hogs.

If you look at it a breakdown aware most of your energy cost are going,
It is to the main appliances like the refrigerator and the HVAC that use compressors.
99% of dehumidifiers on the shelf run off of a compressor. So you can expect your electric bill to show a small increase when you run the dehumidifier.

is it cheaper to run an AC or dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier uses only about a tenth of the electricity that an air conditioner uses. An standard AC runs full on and then off as the temperature is reached.
And then restarts when the temperature rises above the temperature designated on the thermostat. This repeated cycle results in an enormous amount of energy consumed and a very high energy bill. See Inverter AC

A dehumidifier doesn’t cycle off and on like a AC which keeps the cost much lower than an AC.

But though the air conditioner is a dehumidifier, its primary use is to cool down the air so it doesn’t reduce the humidity in the air as much as a dedicated dehumidifier.

Also air conditioning is typically not ran to the basement or crawl spaces.

And those are two of the main spots you need a dehumidifier to reduce moisture.

Portable air conditioner as a dehumidifier?

If an air conditioner and a dehumidifier are mechanically the same, does that mean I can use a portable air conditioner as a dehumidifier?

It does sound great in theory, but a portable air conditioner does not drain condensation like a dehumidifier.

The condensation of a portable AC basically spits out through the rear show the unit and drips of a drainage hole.

Collecting the water so that it is not become part of the humidity problem that you’re trying to resolve is not easily solved.

Unfortunately when it comes to portable air conditioners and portable dehumidifiers, they are not interchangeable.

Though in many cases they are combined into one unit.

Recap

Dehumidifiers and air conditioners are very closely related and mechanically run nearly the same.

The main difference is or how they expel the heat and condensation that they generate.

The AC dispels the heat and condensation outside and a dehumidifier dispels the heat and condensation inside.

But how they are used and what they are used for is the real difference.

Air conditioning is used to cool off a room. De-humidification just happens to be part of that process.

Dehumidifiers are not made to cool off a room but to reduce moisture.

Though running an AC can help reduce the humidity in a room, a portable dehumidifier will do much more to reduce moisture and can go
into areas where there is no air conditioning like the moldy basement and crawl space.

Dehumidifiers also do not cool of a room directly and in fact will make a room temperature rise.

Disadvantages of Dehumidifiers

In the southern south, in the hot and muggy, swampy months, a dehumidifier may be the best thing to come along since sliced bread. But like anything else, you’ve got to weigh the good with the bad. For all the advantages of a dehumidifier, there are some

Disadvantages of dehumidifiers

Regular Maintenance
Noisy
High Energy Usage
Make the room hot
Seasonal
Bulky and unattractive
Bacteria and mold farm
Work to well

1. Regular Maintenance

The tank that the humidity is extracted in to has to be emptied on a regular basis.

In fact the unit will not even run once the tank is full because of a built-in safety cut off.

There are also times when it takes a longer time for the tank to fill up, which means the water sitting in the tank has a chance to become full of bacteria and mold.

That means you have to keep the tank emptied even when there is not enough humidity in the air to alert you that the extraction tank is full.

2. Noisy

Dehumidifiers run much the same as a window air conditioner. Except that the whole unit is inside of the house instead of being partially outside a window.

You can expect the level of noise to be similar to a window air conditioner.

3. Make the room hot

This goes along with number two on the list.

Dehumidifiers work very much like a window AC that is not vented out of a window.

If you have ever been behind a window air conditioner while it is running, you know how much heat comes off the back of the machine.

Imagine that same heat inside of your room while the dehumidifier is running.

And since dehumidifiers are mainly used in higher temperatures, it is probably safe to say that you’ll not want to be in the same room with it while it’s running.

4. High energy use

You can expect your energy bill to reflect the use of a dehumidifier.

The amount of energy that a dehumidifier uses can be compared to your refrigerator.

The amount of energy that a dehumidifier uses versus the HVAC running full force to combat the humidity probably makes the extra energy that a dehumidifier uses worth it. But this is an article about the disadvantages of dehumidifiers and not the pros.

5. Bulky and unattractive

There is not much ambience that a dehumidifier can add to the decor of a room.

They are definitely not made to match the furniture and the drapes.

Out of nessasity, they are required to be large enough to fit several gallons of water in them.

White and boxy is the look we’re going with here.

The bigger unit you purchase, the more white and boxy you can try to fit into your furniture plan.

6. Seasonal

Another point that leads out of number 5 on this list is that dehumidifiers are seasonal.

If big and boxy weren’t enough, they are only typically only useful two to three months out of the year.

There are dehumidifiers specifically designed to run in the winter, so if that is what you have in mind, you can expect to get 4- 5 months.

Most people will probably want to store it in the off months because of how bulky and unattractive it is.

Although many of us who live busy lifestyles may not get around to storing it or even have a place to.

Regardless of the circumstance, emptying the tank and preparing it for storing is a must.

7. Bacteria and mold

Dehumidifiers must be cleaned and sanitized regularly.

Because of the nature of how the unit works and the fact that it contains standing water, bacteria and mold have everything they need to run rampant.

High humidity helps facilitate indoor air pollution because humidity droplets act like containers that can house and travel with air pollutants throughout a home.

So not only does the dehumidifier risk having mold and bacteria because of it being standing water, the humidity that is being transformed into condensate and collected in the dehumidifier is also full of pollution collected from the air.

Mold growing inside of the dehumidifier eventually turns into mold spores flowing through your air.

Mold spores are one of the most common triggers for allergies and asthma attacks in the home.

That also brings up the point that dehumidifier water is not safe to consume.

There are many people who say the dehumidifier water is basically clean because it comes from condensate and goes through a distillation process.

Distillation actually is a process of boiling water and collecting it back through the steam condensate.

Though dehumidifier water is probably safe to water your plants because of the UV disinfecting sunlight that plants are exposed too

I would not drink it or let my pets drink it.

8. Work too well

Finally there is always the point that dehumidifiers can work too well.

Though you will find on most modern dehumidifiers sensors that will not allow dehumidifiers to run when the humidity is below a certain point.

That is not always the case and running a dehumidifier when you do not need it can actually extract the humidity you do need out of the air.

Dry air has its own list of problems including airborne dust and the risk of dehydration.

Final thoughts

Dehumidifiers or one of the best ways to reduce humidity inside of your home and increase your comfort level during the hot muggy months. They not only help with comfort, they help your air conditioner do its job without having to run full force.

But for all the pros of having a dehumidifier, they do have their disadvantages.

One of the biggest disadvantages of using a dehumidifier is the fact that the extraction tank has to be emptied on a regular basis.

That includes times when the humidity is not high enough to feel the take up.

Standing water in the tank can become a bacteria and mold problem very quickly.

Other disadvantages include how hot a room where the dehumidifier is operating can get and how noisy it makes the room.

Finally, there is nothing very attractive about a dehumidifier.

But there is always exceptions to the rule.

There are many companies that have addressed all of these concerns with dehumidifiers.

And hopefully this list can give you a good starting point on what to look for and avoid when purchasing a dehumidifier.

What is a Dehumidifier?

A Dehumidifier is a device that that extracts moisture from the air.

The purpose of a dehumidifier is to restore comfort ability and protection to a home by reducing excessive indoor humidity.

What does a dehumidifier do?

Dehumidifiers produce multiple benefits.
Reduce Airborne allergens
Lower Energy Cost
Reduce insects
Restore comfort
Inhibit Mold Growth
Lessen Condensation on Windows

How do dehumidifiers work?

The mechanics of a dehumidifier are much like an air conditioner. Just like a AC creates condensation and funnels it outdoors, a dehumidifier funnels the condensate into a bucket.

What is A Dehumidifier? Dehumidifiers work to:

1.Reduce airborne allergens.

Dust mite and mold are two of the most common household allergens that are prominent in areas with high humidity.

Humidity is actually the main food source for mold and dust mites.

If you can eliminate their source of nourishment, you can effectively reduce the level of dust mites and mold spores in your home.

Humidity droplets are also known to act as a container that can house bacteria and travel with it across a much larger area that dry air can.

A dehumidifier can improve the air quality in your home by removing the food source and capacity for allergens to travel.

2. Lower Energy Cost.

When the air inside of your home is extra muggy, the ability of your air conditioner to bring down the temperature is strongly impaired.

That means that the air conditioner we’ll have to run harder and longer cool down the air.

This can have an noticable increased effect on your energy bill.

By using a dehumidifier to remove the excess humidity from the house, the air conditioning can go back to running normally, and the result will be lower energy cost.

It will also save you money and repair bills.

For instance, when the humidity is high and the temperature is soaring, most people run to the thermostat turn it down.

That usually results in the unit freezing over and a repairman being called to figure out why the unit is not working right.

Also the extra strain on the machine having to well I’m harder to keep up with the heat will reduce the life of the unit and require more repair calls.

3. Reduce insects

When the temperature is high, people are not the only thing that are trying to get out of the heat.

Many insects seek out Humidity.

Cockroaches
Spiders
Ants
Mosquitoes

To name just a few.

We all know how irritating mosquitoes are when the humidity is high. Keeping the air dry inside is one way to help combat mosquitoes.

Cockroaches are also attracted to moisture. Then they can be one of the most persistent and hard to get rid of insects there is.

Even though spiders or a great asset to the environment, they are not normally welcomed in the home. if there are women in the house you probably agree with that statement whole heartedly.

Carpenter Ants and termites are also drawn to moisture. termites and carpenter ants can be very destructive to your home. Keeping the air dry is one way you can help reduce the humidity and moisture that ants and termites need.

4. Restore comfort

When the humidity is very high, you can turn on the AC and not even feel it.

And turning down the thermostat to low only risk be the possibility of freezing the unit over and not having any AC till it thaws.

By reducing the humidity in the air, you are effectively giving your air conditioner a chance to do its job right.

You will not only help it cool the air down, you will save yourself down the line in energy cost and repair bills.

Comfort ability is one of the primary reasons the people seek out dehumidifiers.

5. Inhibit mold growth

Mold needs moisture to exist. And then with the humidifier will will do nothing to fix a leaky pipe, or keep water from dripping in from the roof,

it can effectively remove the moisture out of the air and reduce the ability for mold to take root.

Mold will not only make you sick, it can weaken the structure and the foundation of your house.

Whenever you find mold growing, you were going to find its destructive path behind it.

It is important to remove all mold and fix any thing that is allowing moisture to get into the house.

And that includes bringing down the level of moisture in the air to at least 50 to 65%.

6. Lessen Condensation on Windows

Using a dehumidifier in the bathroom can help reduce the amount of condensation on the windows.

If the moisture in the bathroom is not drawn out or dried up, it can lead to wood rot and damage to your windows seals, drywall, and ceiling.

A dehumidifier can help save you a lot of money , and a lot of headaches by reducing the damage to your home that excessive moisture in your air and on your window seals and surfaces can cause.

Final thoughts

Dehumidification in your home using a dehumidifier can help save you in your pocketbook and in your health.

The use of dehumidifier works to improve your air quality by reducing household allergens like dust mites and mold spores as well as helping keep insects that are attracted to humidity at Bay.

A dehumidifier also works to lower your energy bill by keeping your air conditioner from running non-stop in the summer.

An overworked AC unit also means more repairman calls and replacement parts that need to be purchased

When the air conditioner is able to work at its capacity, then the comfort ability inside your home will restored.

By reducing the humidity with a dehumidifier, you are making the air more comfortable and giving your air conditioner the chance to work right.

Finally, when there is high levels of moisture in the air and in your home,
Condensate can gather on Windows as well as walls and ceilings where mold can grow and cause all sorts of damage to your home and to your pocketbook.

Wow…

Isn’t there any downside?

Disadvantages of dehumidifiers

Air Purifier or Dehumidifier For Mold?

Though mold and fungus maybe very beneficial as a decomposing agents in our environment, we certainly do not need their decomposing properties in our homes.

Mold can rot the structure of your home along with your carpet and wood work.

And it can also be the source for all types of respiratory issues and allergies.

Two of the most popular devices to help combat mold in the home and dehumidifiers and air purifiers.

Though they have two different functions, they both are able to tackle mold in their own way.

So which one is better?

An air purifier or dehumidifier for mold?

A dehumidifier has an advantage over an air purifier for mold because it can eliminate the source of mold which is humidity. Mold must already be present for an air purifier to be useful.

In other words, by eliminating humidity with a dehumidifier you can stop mold from growing before there becomes a need for an air purifier.

The function of a dehumidifier is to reduce the moisture in the air.

The function of an air purifier is to filter contaminants out of the air.

Many airborne contaminants like mold spores and dust mites need a high level of humidity to flourish. Humidity is their nourishment.

A dehumidifier can take the humidity out of the air, thereby taking away the nourishment for mold to grow and dust mites to thrive.

If mold is already present, a dehumidifier can help it from spreading further but an air purifier will be needed to eliminate mold spores from the ambient air. (The air you breathe)

Also if mold already exists, it will have to be cleaned up. Cleaning it up can disturb it and kick up mold spores into the air, once again creating a need for an air cleaner.

So as you can see, an air purifier and a dehumidifier work well hand-in-hand.

But…

Although a dehumidifier may have the advantage over an air purifier for mold during the hot muggy months,

It is not as useful in the cooler months and does not help to combat mold spores when the source of mold and fungi is not high climate humidity.

Winter comes with many mold abatement issues as well.

Melting ice combined with heated indoor air create an excellent breeding ground for mold.

Even though the indoor humidity may be very low, opportunities for mold to flourish can be abundant.

Air purifier vs. Dehumidifier for mold in the winter.

Most dehumidifiers need the temperature to be at least 60 degrees before they work properly.

That creates little use in the winter months for a dehumidifier.

An purifier on the other hand is useful for removing mold spores from the air all year long.

Eliminating the moisture out of the air to combat mold is only one weapon.

Other sources of mold can come in the form of cracked or leaky pipes and poorly sealed windows.

Another source for mold in the air is the HVAC central heat and air unit.

Because of the environment inside of the HVAC housing,

namely the condensation from the air conditioning coils combined with the lack of light,

Mold can form inside of the ductwork and become an indoor air pollution issue whenever the unit kicks on.

Because the source is easily identified as being the cooling coils and the drip pan.

UV lights can be mounted and targeted on the mold and mildew producing areas to keep mold from becoming an issue.

Indoor air purifiers can also replaced in the ductwork.

Induct Air purification technologies like photo catalytic oxidation are very effective at reducing mold.

By placing photocatalytic oxidation air purifiers inside of the ductwork of your central heat and air unit,

you can effectively turn your heat and air into a whole house air purifier that will not only reduce mold spores in the air, will also stop mold at the source before it becomes a problem.

In climates where humidity does not take a break in the fall or spring,

Whole house Dehumidifiers can be installed to work with the existing HVAC ductwork to reduce the humidity in the whole house.

Whole house dehumidifiers have a few distinct advantages over stand-alone dehumidifiers.

You don’t have to keep emptying the bucket. The condensate is piped to outside of the house.
The heat from the dehumidifier is kept in the Attic instead of being pumped into the room where you’re standing alone dehumidifier would be sitting.
They work for every room where there is ductwork ran.

Unfortunately it’s the basement that doesn’t have ductwork ran into it many times.

The typical basement is moist and the air quality is abysmal.

The basement is another area where a dehumidifier and an air purifier are needed to work hand-in-hand.

You can run an air purifier 24/7 in the basement to make the air breathable but until you do something to dry up the moisture, you’ll have a continual air quality problem in the basement.

That’s where the dehumidifier comes in. After ensuring that there is no broken or leaking pipes, running a dehumidifier in the basement to stop the source of mold spores and then running an air purifier to filter the existing mold spores,

You can make your basement and much more inhabitable spot in the house.

Conclusion

A dehumidifier can prevent mold before there is ever a need for an air purifier.

But when mold already exists, though a dehumidifier can slow its growth,

An air purifier is needed to reduce mold spore allergens from the air.

Also the presence of mold means that mold cleanup will be needed.

Disturbing mold can kick up mold spores in the air, again warranting the need of an air purifier.

But once the mold is removed and the air is filtered,

A dehumidifier will reduce the moisture in the air and help starve and stop any mold and fungi regrowth.

Dehumidifiers and air purifiers also come in whole house units that can be installed using the HVAC ductwork.

The added expense can be worth the benefits that come along with whole house dehumidification and air purification.