Air Purifier vs. Wall Dehumidifier: Which One Do I Need?
Indoor air quality shapes how comfortable a home feels, and two things decide a lot of it: the particles in the air and the amount of moisture in it. Air purifiers and wall dehumidifiers each deal with one of those, and it helps to know which is which before you buy.
If you want to improve your indoor air quality, there are two factors that need attention: particles and moisture. Air purifiers do not control moisture. Both devices work toward better indoor air quality, in different ways.
Air purifiers and wall dehumidifiers can often get confused with one another. Although both are sold to improve indoor air, they function differently. If you are still undecided about whether to buy a wall dehumidifier or air purifier, then read along to learn their key differences.
Differences between Air Purifiers and Wall Dehumidifiers
What’s the difference between an air purifier and a wall dehumidifier? Air purifiers work by circulating clean air through a filter while wall dehumidifiers draw out moisture from the room helping to lower indoor relative humidity levels.
The filters in an air purifier are designed to capture airborne particles such as dust and pollen as air passes through the unit. Most use a HEPA-style filter, and the size of the filter’s pores decides which particles it can catch. A purifier does nothing about the moisture in the air.
Air purifiers work best alongside regular cleaning, and they cannot remove everything: particles that have already settled on surfaces stay there until they are cleaned.
Humidity can have a huge effect on your home’s air quality, which is why it’s important to keep it under control. A wall dehumidifier does just that by taking in moisture from surrounding areas. With a wall dehumidifier, you can control the amount of moisture in your home. It draws air from one room and passes it over cold coils to condense on them before drawing more warm recycled airflow back into that same space.
A wall dehumidifier keeps relative humidity down, which takes away the moisture that mold, mildew and dust mites need. It also helps protect the building from moisture damage.
Which is better air purifier or wall dehumidifier?
The air purifier may be best for you if your main concern is airborne particles such as pet dander, or odors from pets. If not, then a wall dehumidifier is usually the better choice as it will help lower relative humidity and issues associated with indoor moisture. You may especially need a wall dehumidifier in your house if you are living in coastal areas.
Do I need a wall dehumidifier if I have an air purifier?
If you have an air purifier, you may also need a wall dehumidifier if you are dealing with high humidity or other dampness issues. An air purifier may help your moisture problems but a wall dehumidifier is necessary because it removes excess water from rooms that can lead to mold growth and other dangerous conditions.
With a wall dehumidifier, you control the humidity in your home. Taking the excess moisture out of the air removes what mold needs to grow, and dust mites, which depend on humid air, find it harder to thrive.
Can you use a wall dehumidifier as an air purifier?
While wall dehumidifiers help reduce excess moisture and lower indoor humidity, they cannot clean the air as purifiers do. On the other hand, an air purifier doesn’t control or minimize the humidity levels in your home.
Do wall dehumidifiers improve air quality?
Humidity has a serious effect on indoor air quality. Ideal humidity levels range between 35% and 50%. When the levels go above 60%, these conditions encourage mold and mildew growth, and dust mites thrive in moist areas. When you have control over your home’s moisture levels, you have better indoor air quality.
Air pollutants are usually to blame for poor air quality. When your home is humid, it can foster insect growth, support musty odor, and promote mildew in your rooms. A wall dehumidifier makes managing your home’s interior moisture level possible and also generally improves indoor air quality.
Do I need a wall dehumidifier?
If you have moisture problems, then you should buy a wall dehumidifier. A wall dehumidifier is also the best choice if you need help removing excess indoor moisture. While an air purifier can remove mold spores from the air, it cannot remove moisture. By contrast, as wall dehumidifiers pulls excess moisture out of the air, mold and other contaminants find it much more difficult to thrive.
The Bottomline
The air inside your home matters. Air purifiers and wall dehumidifiers work together to improve indoor air quality. Each does its own job: an air purifier filters particles out of the air in the room, while a wall dehumidifier takes the moisture out of the air. Some homeowners use both for the most comfortable conditions.
IW25-4 IN Wall/ON Wall Dehumidifier is great at reducing the risks related to high humidity indoors. This tankless wall dehumidifier uses innovative technology designed for daily use. It can remove 29.5 pints of moisture each day in spaces up to 1,500 square feet (at AHEM). Since it’s tankless, you don’t have to worry about emptying it. It is perfect for existing properties, new construction, and/or new renovations.
