What is the best appliance to use to stop mold: an air purifier or a dehumidifier? A dehumidifier is the best option for mold as this can suck in moisture and reduce the levels of humidity in the air. It kills mold and microbes in the process that tend to thrive and grow in moisture.
An air purifier, on the other hand, circulates air through the filter that traps irritants and airborne pollutants like pollen, smoke, and dust.
Are you curious to know what makes dehumidifiers and air purifiers different or what makes them the same? This article will make some light on the debate between an air purifier and a dehumidifier.
While these two devices are ideal for people suffering from asthma or allergies, it might be difficult to identify the better option for your health. This is because dehumidifiers and air purifiers both work to reduce the number of allergens found in a room.
There are notable differences as far as how these two devices achieve the same goal.
An air purifier helps clean the air through circulating the air in the room through the series of filters. Contaminants and airborne allergens such as mold spores, dust, smoke, and dust are caught by the filter. On the other hand, a dehumidifier can pull in moisture and lower the humidity levels in the room. As a result, mold and microbes thriving in humid and damp environments cannot survive.
Some people have this misconception that dehumidifiers and air purifiers are interchangeable but the truth is, they are not.
Dehumidifier
The job of a dehumidifier is to lower the amount of excess moisture that could be found in the air in your home. The recommended range is less than 50 percent. The unit does this through sucking out moisture from the air and collecting this in an internal bucket or through a hose if you have a bucketless dehumidifier.
A dehumidifier doesn’t clean or filter the air in your home like an air purifier. Instead, it reduces the levels of moisture. But, when humidity becomes lower, you will notice that it feels less damp indoors with lesser musty smells coming from mildew and mold.
If you are dealing with dust mite concerns, lower humidity will also help eliminate these pests because they require moisture to thrive and grow.
In addition, a house with less humidity will feel cooler. When the air has more moisture, it will feel hotter.
Air Purifier
The job of an air purifier is to get rid of dangerous airborne contaminants present in the air in your home. These include particles like allergens, dust, smoke, mold spores, bacteria, and pet dander.
An air purifier removes these contaminants through circulating the air in your home through the series of internal filters. Air purifiers with HEPA filter can also trap then lock as much as 99.97 percent of airborne contaminants with a size of 0.3 microns. When the air purifier comes with an Activated Carbon Filter, this can remove damp as well as musty smells brought about by mildew and mold.
It is important to keep in mind that air purifiers don’t control or reduce the humidity levels in your home. This will only re-circulate the air in a room while getting rid of pollutants.
Which Suits Your Needs? A Dehumidifier or an Air Purifier
You might be better off with an air purifier if:
- Your goal is to lower the number of pet dander or allergens in your house.
- You suffer from health conditions such as asthma, allergies, or other respiratory problems and you want to breathe the cleanest air possible.
- You want to eliminate odors brought about by pets, smoke, mold, and the like.
- You wish to lower the amount of dust and enjoy a healthier living environment as a whole.
Your best bet is a dehumidifier if:
- You want to prevent spread or kill off dust mites.
- You wish to eliminate the musty smell in a particular room.
- You are living in a humid region and wish to lower the temperature in your home without turning on the air conditioner.
- You are suffering from a respiratory condition that is worsened by excess humidity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dehumidifiers and Air Purifiers
Should you use a dehumidifier or an air purifier in the basement?
It will depend on your goal. If you want to eliminate musty odor and dampness, it is best to stick with a dehumidifier. If you are after fresh and clean air to breathe, go for an air purifier.
Should you use a dehumidifier or an air purifier for allergies?
Although the two devices help people with allergies, air purifiers are your best option. An air purifier can clean the air of mold spores, bacteria, pet dander, dust, and allergens. A dehumidifier only reduces mold growth and spread of dust mites.
Should you use a dehumidifier or purifier for asthma?
Asthmatics will be better off with an air purifier because it gets rid of airborne contaminants known for causing breathing difficulties and asthma attacks. With air purifiers, you can reduce indoor triggers that cause irritation to the respiratory system.
Should you use a dehumidifier or purifier for mold?
While these two devices both help in addressing mold concerns, your best choice is a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier can remove the air’s excess moisture that allows mold to grow and reproduce. Air purifiers only get rid of mold spores in the
air without fixing the problem’s root cause.
Should you use a dehumidifier or air purifier for dust mites?
These two devices can help in solving dust mite issues. Air purifiers trap and eliminate dust from rooms that get rid of the food source dust mites require.
Dehumidifiers will lower the levels of humidity so dust mites will find it hard to thrive and grow in the first place. When you have humidity concerns indoors, it is best to use a dehumidifier and an air purifier at the same time to enjoy maximum protection from dust mites.
You should have some idea by now as to which you should use for the mold. A dehumidifier is your best friend when it comes to putting an end to mold issues.
