When you head to the market, you’ll find plenty of air conditioners with dehumidifying features. So, would it be a good decision to buy an air conditioner with a dehumidifying feature, or should you buy a dedicated dehumidifier instead?

Today, this blog will reveal the answer! Let’s jump in…

What is a Dehumidifier and How Does It Work?

A dehumidifier is basically a household appliance that removes excess moisture from the air, helping you to maintain an ideal indoor humidity level. But it doesn’t have any cooling capabilities to drop the indoor temperature of your home.

So, eventually it only helps you to prevent growing mold in your home which can lead to creating a musty odor (but the room temperature remains unchanged). 

The working principle of a dehumidifier is also pretty simple. Here’s a simple explanation of how it works-

• Air Intake: The fan of the dehumidifier takes the air from the room that is moist.
• Cooling mechanism: Cold coils inside the unit cool the air as it passes through. The moisture in the air condenses as it gets cooler.
• Water Collection : The collected moisture drips into a water reservoir or is released via a drainage tube.
• Dry Air Discharge: The previously dry air is reheated slightly and re-released into the room to bring down the overall humidity.

What is an Air Conditioner and How Does It Work?

Air conditioner (AC) is a machine that not only cools the air but also controls the temperature and humidity of your home. While its most common use is to cool the air in hot weather, many air conditioner types also help reduce humidity so we can feel more comfortable inside.

Unlike a dehumidifier, which simply reduces humidity, an air conditioner both cools the air and dehumidifies it to some extent. This makes them great for hot, humid days when the temperature and the humidity are high.

How does it work? Well, unlike dehumidifiers, air conditioners come with two units-

1. Evaporator (the indoor unit)
2. Condenser (the outdoor unit)

The cooling process is a bit technical. But in simple words, air conditioners function in the following way-

• Passing Refrigerant: The compressor (a component of the condenser unit) condenses and passes the refrigerant through a copper/aluminium coil. At this time the temperature of the refrigerant gets high.
• Evaporation and Cooling: The cold liquid refrigerant is then routed to the evaporator unit located at your home. The refrigerant absorbs heat as it passes through the evaporator coil, taking in heat from air in the room.
• Air Circulation: A fan blows air over the evaporator coils, where it cools down and transfers its heat to the refrigerant, evaporating the liquid into gas. This cools the air in the room.
• Returning Cool Air: The now-cooled air gets re-circulated back into the room, leaving the area more comfortable. Then the refrigerant gas comes back to the compressor for the cycle to begin again.
• Dehumidification: The air cools, and some of the humidity condenses on the evaporator coils, draining out of the unit. This decrease in moisture helps to make the space feel cooler and more comfortable, especially during humid weather.

Key Differences At a Glance: Dehumidifier vs Air Conditioner

As you’ve already read the previous words, now you already know the basic difference between a dehumidifier and an air conditioner. In simple words-

1. Dehumidifier – Only reduces moisture from the air
2. Air Conditioner – Cools down the air + Reduces moisture

To get the difference in a more vivid way, take a look at the table below-

Can an Air Conditioner be Used as a Dehumidifier?

The direct answer is – “Yes! Air conditioner can be used as a dehumidifier”. But it’s not an ideal practice when eliminating moisture from the air is your main priority. When you turn your air conditioner on, it initiates the cooling process. While it’s cooling the indoor, it eliminates some moisture that gets drained in water form.

Hence, you can get the dehumidifying facility by default, but air conditioners are not ideal for dehumidifying your room dedicatedly. There are even some places where using dehumidifiers is the only option. In most cases, the following types of dehumidifiers are used-

• Commercial Dehumidifier: Suitable for medium to large-scale spaces such as offices, warehouses, retail stores, etc.
• Industrial Dehumidifier: Suitable for handling extreme moisture levels typically found in industrial settings, such as manufacturing plants, factories, etc.
• Ceiling Dehumidifier: Suitable for commercial and residential spaces.

Can a Dehumidifier be Used as an Air Conditioner?

The direct answer is – “No! Dehumidifiers don’t offer any cooling functionality and can’t be used as an air conditioner”. Unlike air conditioners, dehumidifiers don’t come with any cooling mechanism. 

In fact, dehumidifiers tend to emit slightly warmer air while they remove humidity. An air cooler is meant to cool the air by using refrigerants to absorb and diffuse heat. If you want cooling along with humidity control, go with an air-conditioner.

Cost Comparison: Dehumidifier vs Air Conditioner

Yes, you guessed it right! Dehumidifiers are less expensive compared to air conditioners (as they offer cooling features). But I want to let you know the complete breakdown so you can easily understand how your budget should be.

Take a look-

Note: The data have been taken from multiple sources. Depending on the models and brands, the numbers might vary slightly.

Dehumidifier vs Air Conditioner Power Consumption

If you install a dehumidifier, the power consumption will be pretty low compared to an air conditioner. Air conditioners with Inverter Technology will save power consumption for sure. But still dehumidifiers will be a cost effective choice as their rated power consumption rate is low.

Well, check out this table to get the idea clearly-

Note: The data have been taken from multiple sources. Depending on the models, brands, and the type of air conditioner, the consumption rate might vary. Eventually the represented costing might vary also.

So, Which One Should You Buy?

The answer is – it completely depends on your needs. If cooling is your first priority, then opting for an air conditioner is the only option that can help you control your indoor humidity level as well. In that case, that would be expensive. 

If cooling is not your priority, then you can buy a dehumidifier that can reduce your expense. No matter what you choose, both will protect your investments.

In simple words-

Buy Dehumidifier If-

• Your primary concern is humidity control
• You want lower energy bill
• You don’t need cooling
• You have sensitive items that need protection

Buy Air Conditioner If-

• You need to cool your space
• You need both temperature and humidity control
• You live in a hot and humid environment
• You have larger spaces to manage
• You prefer an all-in-one solution

Wrapping Up

So, that’s all about it! We hope this “dehumidifier vs air conditioner” debate ends here. Find out your priority first to make an informed decision. Take a pen and paper, read the previous section again, and note down your needs. When it’s done, you can then welcome your desired appliance at your home.