While both devices are ideal for those who have asthma or allergies, it may be difficult to determine which is a better investment for your health.
So, air purifier or dehumidifier for basement? Dehumidifiers are the best to pull the moisture in and reduce the levels of humidity in a basement. As a result, mold and microbes that thrive in humid and damp environments can’t survive.
This is because both dehumidifiers and air purifiers work to reduce allergens present in a room.
In terms of how such products accomplish that shared goal, there are some differences you should keep in mind.
Air purifiers clean the air through circulating the air in the room through some filters. Airborne contaminants and allergens including pollen, mold spores, dust, and smoke get caught in filters.
Air Quality in The Basement
Air quality in basements matters a lot for your entire home’s air quality.
The home’s main area is well ventilated through regular closing and the opening of doors, bathroom ventilation fan, and your cooling and heating system.
More often than not, the ventilation system in your house would draw air from the basement before cooling or heating it.
But, there are some vents moving cooled or heated air to your basement.
Since basements are poorly ventilated, they’re best places for mold growth and dust to collect.
These indoor air pollutants will end up in your own ventilation system. If dust or mold spores get into the ventilation system, they’ll migrate to your house. One of the common allergens is mold spores.
Household molds have a charismatic earthy or musty smell, somewhat like forest floor deep in woods. Also, they talk about the sizes of the mold spores that range from three to forty microns across.
Since the HEPA filters catch greater than 0.3 microns in diameter, you may expect positive results when utilizing air purifiers to boost the air quality indoors.
Using air purifiers would help make healthier and cleaner air in your house.
But, should you still buy a dehumidifier for your basement? Well, before you decide to buy an air purifier or dehumidifier, you must know the differences between these units first.
Basic Functions of Air Purifiers and Dehumidifiers
Others think that dehumidifiers and air purifiers are interchangeable, yet they are not.
Air Purifiers
The job of an air purifier is to get rid of harmful airborne contaminants, which are present in the air of your home. It includes some particles such as pet dander, mold spores, smoke, bacteria, allergens, and dust.
Air purifiers get rid of such contaminants through circulating the air in your house through internal filters. Air purifiers with HEPA filter may trap or lock up to 99% of airborne contaminants.
In addition to that, if an air purifier has activated carbon filter, it may eliminate musty and damp smells, which are due to mildew and mold. It is also essential to note that air purifiers do not control or reduce the humidity levels in your basement. It recirculates air inside the basement while eliminating pollutants.
Dehumidifiers
The job of dehumidifiers is to lessen excess moisture that could be present in the air of your home. The perfect range is below 50%. It does this through sucking out the moisture in the air and collecting inside an internal bucket.
A dehumidifier does not filter and cleans the air in your home as the way air purifiers do. They only minimize moisture levels.
But, as humidity decreases, you must notice less damp feeling and musty smells that come from mildew and mold. If you’re having problems with dust mites, low humidity may get rid of such pests as well since they require moisture to thrive and grow.
Other than that, homes with less level of humidity feel cooler. If there’s more moisture in the air, it will feel hotter.
A Dehumidifier or Air Purifier – Which is Best for Your Needs?
Air Purifiers
It is best if you have health conditions including asthma, allergies or some respiratory problems and you require clean air to breathe. If you like to lessen the number of allergens in your house, air purifiers are what you need.
To have a healthier living environment, air purifiers can reduce dust and will help you get rid of the odors due to smoke, pets, mold, and so on.
Dehumidifiers
A dehumidifier is your best option if you like to eliminate that musty smell in your basement or you like to prevent the growth of dust mites.
If you have any kind of respiratory condition that is aggravated by too much humidity, you will need dehumidifiers.
A dehumidifier is also best if you are living in humid places and like to lower the temperature of your basement.
Damp Basement – Should You Get a Dehumidifier or an Air Purifier?
If you’re still not sure about what you need and wondering what’s best for damp basements, you may consider both dehumidifiers and air purifiers.
You can buy a dehumidifier aside from an air purifier. You can also try using a unit that functions as a 2-in-1appliance.
Dehumidifiers can help lessen moisture in the air that mold requires to grow. On the other hand, HEPA air purifiers can remove mold spores, which may survive long after minimizing the levels of humidity.
The Wrap Up
If you’re wondering if you could use both air purifier and dehumidifier in your basement, the answer is yes. You may use both units anytime you want.
Air purifiers will clean the air in your basement and will get rid of the contaminants including bacteria, mold spores, allergens, and dust.
Dehumidifiers will also pull excess moisture out of the air that makes it more difficult for such contaminants to come back or survive.
Both dehumidifiers and air purifiers are beneficial and can provide you better indoor air quality. However, it is important to shop around first and know what you really need for your basement.
There are times that dehumidifiers are enough, but there are also instances that you might need both units. Go and read this useful article about how to pick a dehumidifier.
