Best Way to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Clean air is essential to our health and well-being. It is especially important to have clean air in our homes because we spend a significant amount of time inside every day. Poor indoor air quality can lead to a wide range of health issues, including allergies, asthma, and respiratory infections. It can also contribute to fatigue, headaches, and other symptoms. Two of the most common ways to remove unhealthy air particles are air purifiers and dehumidifiers. Both work toward improving indoor air quality and reducing allergens in a room, helping people breathe easier, but they function differently. Wondering what the differences are between air purifiers and dehumidifiers? Keep reading to learn more about the two.
What is an Air Purifier?
Air purifiers are devices added to a room to help remove unwanted air particles. Most of these devices use a mesh or fiber-like filter (usually a high efficiency particulate air filter, also known as HEPA) to trap particles as they pass through the device. A fan sucks the air in the room through the device where the particles meet the filter. The size of the pores in the filter determines which particles can be captured. These devices are great at removing allergen particles from the air, but be aware that they can’t take away all potentially harmful particles. For maximum effect toward lowering irritants found in a home’s environment, air purifiers are commonly used alongside regular cleaning routines. These devices are great at removing particles like dust, mold and bacteria from the air, but they can’t remove moisture.
What is a Dehumidifier?
Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air to lower relative humidity. High humidity levels are at the top of the CDC’s list of causes for mold growth. Trapped moisture can lead to a wide range of other problems as well, including dangerous bacteria, fungi and other airborne contaminants, rotting wood and severe structural damage.
When a humidistat installed inside the dehumidifier reaches the set point of relative humidity in a home’s air, the unit turns on, drawing in air from the surrounding environment and passing it over a cooled coil. The water vapor then condenses into water droplets which drips into either a portable dehumidifier’s tank to be emptied periodically, or into a condensate line. The dehumidified air is then released back into the room. High humidity can have a huge negative effect on your home’s air quality, which is why it’s important to keep it under control. A tankless wall mounted dehumidifier removes the excess moisture from your home’s air, making your house less hospitable for allergens, viruses and mold growth.
Which is better? Dehumidifiers or Air Purifiers?
While some wall dehumidifiers help remove unwanted moisture from your home and prevent the build-up of mold and airborne irritants, they cannot clean the air as thoroughly as purifiers do. And while air purifiers successfully remove allergens and unwanted air particles, they don’t have the ability to control humidity levels in your home. So, what’s the best solution?
If you are experiencing issues with irritants in your home’s air, we recommend utilizing both an air purifier and a dehumidifier to improve IAQ (interior air quality). Air purifiers are great for a quick fix when used to actively combat air pollutants in your home, and a high quality dehumidifier is a sure way to limit moisture in your household, helping create an environment that is much more difficult for those unwanted contaminants a mold to thrive in the first place. Just be aware that each has their own use and that your unique situation may dictate that one is better than the other.
The importance of clean air in homes cannot be overstated. Taking steps to ensure good indoor air quality is essential for maintaining good health and well-being. Looking for a quality dehumidifier you can trust? The IW25-4 IN Wall/ON Wall Dehumidifier from Innovative Dehumidifiers with bi-polar ionization is a great addition to any household that is seeking to reduce the risks related to high humidity and experience cleaner air in an indoor environment.
