The answer to the humidifier vs air conditioner debate is a surprisingly simple one. But first, it’s important to understand what both of these systems are and what they can do to your home and indoor air quality.
Once you understand the difference between air conditioning units and humidifiers can you find out which is best for you and your needs?
What Is A Humidifier?
An air humidifier works to increase the humidity level in your home by adding water and moisture to indoor air. This is usually for health and comfort reasons.
By adding water and moisture to the air in the room, you can prevent your skin from drying out. Increasing the humidity level in your home can help prevent irritation occurring to your lips, throat, and mouth as a result of dry air.
Types of Air Humidifiers
There are a few different types of air humidifier models available, including:
Cool Mist Humidifier
Great for warmer climates or summer months, these add moisture to indoor air. Perfect for increasing the humidity level in the air without also increasing room temperature.
The health benefits of this include soothing any coughs and easing any chest congestion you may have.
Warm Mist Humidifier
Fantastic for combating airborne diseases, the humid air that is produced by this type of humidifier is achieved by heating water and then cooling it before releasing it into the air. This process helps to create better air quality that is purer.
Evaporative Humidifier
Affordable, portable and needing little maintenance, these humidifiers circulate humidity via a moist wick filter located at the bottom of the device. These units are often self-regulating meaning that they’ll adjust your humidity level automatically.
Vaporizer Humidifier
These types of air humidifier can create either a warm or cool mist. You can even add inhalants to these systems to get some extra health benefits if you’re fighting off a cold or flu.
Ultrasonic Humidifier
Utilising a vibrating diaphragm made of either metal or ceramic, this type of humidifier creates water droplets through vibrations and then expels them into the room. This is one of the quieter types of humidifier available and can also create both cool and warm mists.
Pros
Humidity helps to combat cold and flu symptoms
Can alleviate snoring
Prevents skin from drying out
Cons
Requires constant upkeep, or else bacteria can develop in the humidifier
If there is excess humidity, it can worsen allergies and cause a spike in dust mites. High humidity can be as much of a problem as dry air.
What Is An Air Conditioner?
Air conditioners work to cool down the air in the room by simultaneously expelling hot air flows and by pumping cool air into the room. This cold air is created by the air conditioner’s internal evaporator as it turns refrigerant liquid into gas that is then blown into your room by fans.
Air conditioning units are mainly used to make your living spaces more comfortable.
Types of Air Conditioners
There is a range of air conditioners available including:
Ducted Air Conditioners
In this AC system, a central fan connects to each room via a series of ducts. This ducted AC system allows you to cool your entire house at once, with some systems even allowing you to set different temperatures in each room simultaneously.
Split System Air Conditioners
The most common air conditioner system, these are made up of two main units that are joined together. The indoor unit is responsible for cooling the air, or blowing in warm air. The outdoor unit is known as the condenser, this is kept outside the house.
These split system air conditioners are affordable and quick to install.
There is also a multi split system that allows you to control the room temperature of multiple rooms.
Portable Air Conditioners
A portable air conditioner is a good choice if you wish to control the room temperature of only a single, small room.
Pros
Makes your living spaces more comfortable during the summer months. Battling the harsh heat of an Australian summer is definitely easier with an air conditioner.
Helps increase the air quality in your home as it filters the air it uses
Cons
Air conditioning removes humidity and water vapour from the air and can cause the air to become too dry.
AC systems consume a lot of energy to function.
Can be very noisy
Requires constant upkeep
Are Humidifiers And Air Conditioners Competing Products?
The air humidifier vs air conditioner debate is actually a bit unnecessary as the two products can actually be used together very well. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers are closer to being competing products, but even then their primary functions are quite different.
Can You Use Both To Create A Better Environment?
It’s recommended that you don’t use both systems at the same time as the main problem when using a humidifier with an air conditioner is that they will work against each other. Your air conditioning unit begins cooling the air by removing moisture from the air, this reduces humidity and lowers the temperature of the air.
By using a humidifier at the same time as your AC, you’ll only be wasting electricity as the two systems work against each other.
Thankfully, there are some models of an air conditioner with humidifier special features. This way, you can have your air conditioner on and not lose the comfortable humidity level of moist air.
If you want to put even more effort into getting the best air quality possible, you can introduce indoor plants to improve the humidity of your home.
When To Use A Humidifier
The perfect time to use an air humidifier is when your indoor air is dry, which is likely to happen when you’re using a heater or during dry, summer months.
Remember that the humidity level of your room should ideally be between 30% – 50%. Excess humidity can lead to bacteria or mold growth.
When To Use An Air Conditioner
Whether you’re getting through Australia’s hot summer months, or need some warming up on a cold winter’s morning there are plenty of times that are perfect to use your air conditioning unit.
However, it’s important to only use your air conditioner when you need it. If you’re not using the room that the air conditioner unit is in, don’t use the AC. Some systems even come with handy auto-timer systems to ensure you’re not using your air conditioning more than needed.
Also, remember to set your AC to 22 degrees in winter and 24 degrees in summer for maximum energy efficiency.
Now that you know a bit more about air conditioner humidifier differences you’ll be better equipped when you start looking at options for improving comfort and air quality in your home.
If you still have questions or want to start installing an air conditioner in your home get in contact with the experts at All Air Services today.
