Indoor air quality has become an increasing concern for many homeowners. With more time spent inside, especially in tightly sealed, energy efficient houses, indoor pollutants can build up and cause health issues. The two main solutions for improving indoor air are air purifiers and dehumidifiers. But which is better for your home?
How Air Purifiers Work
Air purifiers work by pulling air through filters to capture pollutants like dust, dander, mold spores, chemicals, and more. The most effective air purifiers use a multilayer filter system with different types of filters to remove both large and microscopic particles:
- Pre-filter – Traps larger particles like hair, dust, and dander
- Activated carbon filter – Absorbs gases, odors, and chemicals
- HEPA filter – Removes 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size such as mold, bacteria, and smoke
- Ionizer/UV light – Further reduces bacteria and viruses (optional)
By continuously circulating and filtering the air, an air purifier can significantly reduce indoor air pollutants that cause allergies, asthma, and other health issues. Air purifiers are rated by CADR (clean air delivery rate), which measures their effectiveness for removing tobacco smoke, dust, and pollen. Higher CADR ratings mean the air purifier can filter larger rooms faster.
Benefits of Air Purifiers
- Remove dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores
- Eliminate odors, chemical fumes, and smoke
- Reduce bacteria, viruses, and other germs
- Improve air quality for allergy and asthma sufferers
- Freshen stale indoor air
Drawbacks of Air Purifiers
- Can be expensive for large or heavily polluted rooms
- Need regular filter changes
- Produce noise and air flow
- Don’t directly reduce humidity or moisture
How Dehumidifiers Work
Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air through refrigeration. Air is drawn over cooling coils which cause water vapor to condense and collect in a bucket or drain hose. The dehumidifier continually pulls moist air over the coils until the target humidity level is reached. Dehumidifiers are rated by pints of moisture they can remove per day, with larger capacities needed for damp basements or spaces.
Benefits of Dehumidifiers
- Reduce humidity and dampness
- Prevent mold, mildew, wood rot
- Alleviate musty smells
- Lessen dust mites and other pests
- Improve comfort in humid climates
Drawbacks of Dehumidifiers
- Use considerable electricity
- Can be noisy when operating
- Don’t directly filter air pollutants
- Require draining collected water regularly
Comparing Air Purification vs. Dehumidification
Air purifiers and dehumidifiers both improve indoor air quality, but in different ways. Here is a comparison of the benefits of each system:
| Function | Air Purifier | Dehumidifier |
|---|---|---|
| Removes allergens | Yes | Partially through moisture reduction |
| Captures dust, dander, pollen | Yes | No |
| Eliminates odors and fumes | Yes | No |
| Reduces mold and mildew | Partially through spore removal | Yes |
| Lowers humidity and moisture | No | Yes |
As you can see, air purifiers are better at removing airborne particles like dust, dander, and smoke, while dehumidifiers excel at lowering moisture to control mold, mustiness, and high humidity. Using both together provides the most complete indoor air quality improvement.
Factors to Consider
When deciding between an air purifier or dehumidifier for your home, consider the following factors:
- Your primary concerns – If you mainly want to reduce allergens, odors, smoke, and pollutants, an air purifier would be the better choice. For dampness, humidity issues, or mold control, a dehumidifier is more effective.
- Room size – Air purifiers are rated for square footage they can effectively clean. Large open concept main floors may require a more powerful unit. Dehumidifiers also have capacity ratings based on room size.
- Maintenance – Air purifiers require regular filter changes while dehumidifiers need the bucket drained and occasionally cleaned. Automatic drainage options are available however.
- Noise levels – Air purifiers and dehumidifiers both produce background noise from fans and operation. Consider noise ratings and location if this is a concern.
- Energy use – Larger capacity dehumidifiers in particular can consume significant electricity. Look for Energy Star rated models for efficiency.
- Special features – Many air purifiers offer extras like air quality sensors, WiFi controls, and auto modes. Some dehumidifiers can help with laundry drying or integrate with home HVAC systems.
Recommended Air Purifiers
Based on consumer reviews and ratings, here are three top recommended air purifiers to consider for your home:
1. Coway AP-1512HH Mighty
- HEPA filter removes 99.97% of particles
- Activated carbon pre-filter for odors
- Quiet operation at 22 – 55 dB
- Air quality LED indicator light
- Coverage for rooms up to 361 sq. ft.
2. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
- True HEPA filter captures particles down to 0.3 microns
- Washable pre-filters for large particles
- PlasmaWave technology attacks viruses, bacteria, gases
- Real-time air quality indicator
- Covers areas up to 360 sq. ft.
3. LEVOIT Core 300 Air Purifier
- H13 True HEPA filter
- Activated carbon filter neutralizes odors
- Quiet operation as low as 24 dB
- Sleep mode and auto mode
- SF coverage up to 219 ft
Recommended Dehumidifiers
Here are three top rated dehumidifier options for efficiently reducing moisture and controlling humidity:
1. Frigidaire FFAD7033R1
- 70 pint/day moisture removal
- Energy Star rated for efficiency
- Low temperature operation down to 41°F
- Auto-restart and 24-hour on/off timer
- Quiet operation at 51 dB
2. hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier
- 50 pint/day capacity
- Built-in pump for continuous drainage
- Easy touch digital controls
- Washable air filter
- Ideal for basements up to 3000 sq. ft.
3. Tosot 70 Pint Dehumidifier
- removes up to 70 pints of moisture per day
- Energy Star, CE, ETL rated
- 24-hour timer
- Auto defrost to prevent ice build up
- Quiet operation from 41 – 53 dB
Installing an Air Purifier and Dehumidifier
For whole home protection, many homeowners choose to install both an air purifier and dehumidifier. Here are tips for installing both appliances:
- Place the air purifier centrally in the most used room or open area. Choose a location with good airflow that is not obstructed.
- Set up the dehumidifier in a damp problem area like the basement. Make sure it has room for airflow and drainage.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing filters and setting up drainage in the dehumidifier.
- Allow proper clearance around both appliances for air intake and filter access.
- Plug both appliances into grounded outlets and set up timers or settings as desired.
- Run the air purifier and dehumidifier continuously for optimal air quality improvement.
- Change air purifier filters and empty the dehumidifier bucket regularly as needed.
With both an air purifier and dehumidifier working together, you can effectively reduce particles, allergens, odors, moisture, mold, and other pollutants for cleaner, healthier indoor air.
Conclusion
Air purifiers and dehumidifiers both provide important benefits, just in different ways. Air purifiers excel at filtering allergens, odors, smoke, and airborne particles. Dehumidifiers are ideal for controlling humidity and dampness issues like mold growth. Using both together gives the greatest improvement in indoor air quality by tackling both particulate and moisture issues. Choose quality Energy Star rated models sized appropriately for the rooms. With regular maintenance, an air purifier and dehumidifier can provide continuous protection to keep the indoor air in your home cleaner and fresher.