Air purifiers and dehumidifiers are two of the most common air treatment appliances for homes. While both types of appliances can clean the air and make it easier to breathe, they each have distinct uses and advantages. Dehumidifiers are perfect for asthma patients and those with mold problems in their homes, while air purifiers work well for smokers or those with allergies or pets. While both air purifiers and dehumidifiers reduce mold in the home, only dehumidifiers reduce the moisture content of the air. Your choice will depend on the age and condition of your home as well as your respiratory health.
The Best Way to Treat the Air in Your Home
For the highest-quality air in your home, it’s important to have a professional technician analyze your living space and recommend an air treatment option. Older homes with antique furniture may be better off with a dehumidifier to help preserve the condition of carpets, curtains, and upholstery. Homes within city limits and near roadways can benefit from air filtration to remove aerosols and other pollutants from the air.
Several of the most common and effective air purification technologies are:
- High-efficiency particulate air filters
- Activated carbon air filters
- Ultraviolet light air treatment
- Negative ionization air treatment
In general, most homes will benefit from a properly sized air purifier with a HEPA filter. These types of filters remove up to 99.97% of all contaminants from the air when installed in a sufficiently powerful purifier. Central air purifiers can filter the air in homes as large as 11,000 square feet, keeping a fresh supply of clean air in constant circulation. HEPA filters remove dust, pollen, microbes, mold, smoke, and particulate matter from the air more efficiently than any other type of filter.
Most air treatment systems improve the air quality by removing bad smells, and they use various methods to do so. HEPA and activated carbon filters purify the air by filtering out microscopic particles that can contribute to bad odors and harsh air. Activated carbon filters take the process a step further by neutralizing odors with the absorption properties of charcoal. While activated carbon filters are less efficient and more expensive than HEPA filters, they require less maintenance and may contribute to fresher-smelling air.
Who Can Benefit From a Dehumidifier?
Many older homes have problems with mold growth, which can destroy furniture, walls, and carpets while causing the air to smell bad. A central dehumidifier can help solve this problem by making the air throughout your house too dry for mold to grow. After installing a dehumidifier in your home, you may notice that mold growth ceases, and a fresh smell returns to your living area.
One of the benefits of owning a dehumidifier is that it doesn’t require a filter replacement. While running a dehumidifier can cost less than running an air purifier, a dehumidifier won’t remove dust, pollen, or aerosols from the air. It will simply reduce the moisture, inhibiting mold growth and making it easier for many asthma sufferers to breathe. However, with less moisture in the air, your home will stay in good condition for a longer time, potentially reducing the cost of home repairs in the long run.
Air Purifier Applications, Costs, and Benefits
Air purifiers treat the air in a room by pulling the air through a filter with pressure from a fan. A central air purifier will filter the air through your existing duct system, using the fans installed in your HVAC system. The cost of operating an air purifier depends on the cubic footage of the application. The larger the volume of your room, the more frequently you’ll need to replace the filters. Air purifiers are rated for the volume of air they can filter per hour, so choosing the appropriate purifier is a straightforward calculation.
While the cost of running an air purifier depends on the size of a room and thus the frequency of filter replacement, the benefit of fresh indoor air is undeniable. HEPA filters are relatively inexpensive to replace and can last several weeks or months. Activated carbon filters cost slightly more than HEPA filters, although they last longer between replacements.
At TS Heat & Air, we offer air purifier and dehumidifier installations and services. Our company also provides top-notch heating and cooling maintenance, repairs, and installations throughout Oklahoma City, OK and the surrounding areas. Call us today at TS Heat & Air to tell us how we can be of service!
