Air purifiers and dehumidifiers are both devices designed to help you breathe easier, but they accomplish it in very different ways. Some people mistakenly believe the two are interchangeable, but the difference between them is in the details. Before purchasing one or the other, make sure you understand how each of them works and what benefits they offer.
Air Purifiers
An air purifier works by circulating your home’s air through filters to improve its quality. Pollutants and irritants like dust, pollen, smoke, and pet dander get trapped in those filters, making your breathing air far cleaner and healthier. These devices utilize HEPA filters, which are made up of thousands of tiny, interwoven fibers and can trap up to 99.7% of the airborne contaminants in your household. Certain purifiers also come equipped with activated carbon filters, which allow them to also remove mold and mildew smells from your air.
Air purifiers are extremely helpful for people suffering from allergies or asthma. Even without those health issues, installing one should make your indoor air smoother and more comfortable to breathe.
Dehumidifiers
Instead of circulating air through filters, dehumidifiers work by removing excess moisture from the air. They accomplish this by sucking that moisture out and collecting it in an internal bucket. Although these systems don’t remove contaminant particles like air purifiers do, they can still help your breathing.
Ideally, your indoor air should have a humidity level below 50%. When it rises above that, it becomes an ideal environment for mold and mildew to flourish. Plus, dust mites tend to love humid places as well. With a dehumidifier installed, you’ll no longer be breathing in all those harmful, musty mold and mildew particles, and your home also won’t have that uncomfortable damp feeling that comes with high humidity.
Since 2005, our expert team at Jay's Heating, Air & Plumbing has offered quality heating and cooling services to the Mount Airy, NC area. Your satisfaction is our number one priority, which is why all our work comes with a 100% guarantee. On top of our heating and cooling work, we also work with generators and offer indoor air quality services, Aeroseal duct sealing, comfort zoning, and crawlspace renovations. For more information about our services, contact us at Jay's Heating, Air & Plumbing today.