Have you ever wondered, ‘Does AC dehumidify?’ While air conditioners and dehumidifiers are distinct, many believe they share similar functions, particularly in how air conditioners work to remove moisture and dehumidify the air.
Those living in humid areas may have to deal with constant mildew and mold, which results in them having to buy a dehumidifier.
However, some people believe they don’t have to buy a separate device, believing they can use the AC to dehumidify the house. So, what can you do with your AC and dehumidifier?
AC Does Not Dehumidify
Your air conditioning system operates differently from a dehumidifier. While both devices remove moisture, the AC removes heat and humidity from the warm air, helping dehumidify your home.
This process requires refrigerant, soaking up the moisture and heat from the (indoor) air. The system is:
- The indoor air will move, passing through the evaporator coil having the cold refrigerant
- The refrigerant itself would keep the heat while the moisture (within the air) would condense within the coil
- The condensation would fall into a type of pan located under the evaporator coil, draining out of its system
- You then have the air (dehumidified and cooled) blown back into the house.
Does a Dehumidifier Help AC?
It’s important to understand that air conditioners can dehumidify and cool your home. A central air conditioner not only delivers cool air but also plays a significant role in reducing indoor humidity levels.
The healthy humidity level should be set from 30% to 50%, but achieving this level can be tricky and challenging, especially in humid or summertime. The dehumidifier is handy in helping AC works properly, especially in removing excess moisture from the air.
Read also: Fix LG Portable Air Conditioner That’s Not Cooling
What Does Dehumidifier Do on AC?
Although AC and dehumidifier are two different devices, the AC has its own functional feature that can also help maintain the humidity level. Activating the dehumidifier feature on your air conditioning system allows it to efficiently remove excess moisture from the indoor air, enhancing the air quality and making your living environment healthier.
In most cases, AC comes with the so-called ‘Dry Mode’ feature. It is the feature mostly used during rainy days (since the moisture level on rainy days is super high). This mode would keep the atmosphere within the room dry and cool by ‘drying’ the air.
So, the AC activated in dry mode would function as the dehumidifier by sucking up moisture from the air. It would refresh the air in humid areas or climates. If you want to maximize the dehumidification ability, the AC can be activated at high or low temperatures.
Reducing Humidity
In case you don’t know it, activating the AC can be enough to bring down the humidity level to less than 50%. But you may have to do these things if you still struggle with high humidity.
- Properly ventilate. Ensure you install the exhaust fan in the laundry room, kitchen, and bathroom, and run it every time you wash clothes, cook, and shower.
- Remove any standing water. Never leave any standing water to stay on its own. Wipe them off and remove them.
- Adjust the (AC) fan to automatic. Don’t forget that evaporator coils ‘collect’ condensation, and you need to remove them. To do so, you need to activate the fan and set it to automatic. In this manner, it will run only when the compressor starts.
- Install a dehumidifier. Although you may believe you don’t need any separate dehumidifier, you still need one. You can make your dehumidifier and AC work together so your house will stay comfortable.
- Clean your evaporator coil. A dirty evaporator coil can’t function well. You need to clean the coil regularly. Make sure that you hire a pro service to do that.
Read also: Air Conditioner Won’t Cool Below 75?
Conclusion
While your air conditioning system includes a feature to dehumidify the air, having a separate dehumidifier can complement the AC’s efforts, especially in areas with high humidity. Together, they ensure your home remains comfortable and free from excessive moisture.
After all, having your AC and dehumidifier work together isn’t a bad idea at all.
