Do I Need AC, Dehumidifier, or Both?

There aren’t many homes with window air conditioning systems, but lately, homeowners are wondering if they should switch. It’s one way to reduce your monthly expenses. 

There are so many drawbacks to window ACs that few savvy homeowners want to replace whole-house heating, ventilation, & air conditioning systems (HVAC) with window AC units. The noise, energy inefficiency, loss of curb appeal, and the additional security vulnerability make them a poor choice for residential cooling in Northwest Harris County. Central AC and ductless mini-splits remain the most popular whole-house heating and cooling systems in Kline, Magnolia, and Tomball.

Keeping your home or office cool and comfortable throughout a Southeast Texas summer is critical for everyone. Every spring, frequently asked HVAC questions include, “Can a dehumidifier keep my house as cool as central air? Do I need both?” The annoying answer is, “It depends.”

Humidity & Dehumidifiers Demystified

Humidity percentages represent water vapor levels in the air. Higher percentages mean more water vapor is increasing that muggy, sticky feel of the outside air. If you live in Northwest Harris County, you’re better off than South Padre Island. Their humidity averages 84.12% and can reach 90% vs. Tomball’s average of 74.0%.

High outdoor humidity can lead to heat-related illnesses. You can’t control the humidity outside, but if the air is uncomfortably muggy inside your home, you should take action. High indoor humidity can cause negative health reactions and exacerbate:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• COPD
• Diabetes
• Heat disease
• High blood pressure
• Kidney disease

Dehumidifiers remove unhealthy indoor excess moisture that causes mold, mildew, and damages furniture and can also help reduce visits by roaches and silverfish that thrive in high humidity. 

How Dehumidifiers Work

A fan inside the dehumidifier unit pulls indoor air inside the unit toward cooled coils. The coils draw moisture from the air. That moisture condensates on the coils and drips into a drainage reservoir. Dehumidifiers are refrigerant models (coils) or use desiccants (like silica).

If you suffer a water-based disaster or hurricane damage, a restoration dehumidifier is a heavy-duty unit used by property repair professionals. You are likely familiar with portable dehumidifiers that are small, lightweight, inexpensive, and protect one room. Whole-house dehumidifiers are often part of new-build construction or added to a home’s current HVAC system. 

One-Room vs. Whole-House Dehumidifiers

If you decide to get a dehumidifier this year, what’s the best option for you, your family, and your home?

Pros 1-room dehumidifiers:

• Affordable
• Easy setup/installation
• Portable

Cons 1-room dehumidifiers:

• Limited coverage – Protects small spaces but the hose/drain setup may damage carpet.
• Noise – Noise level can be irritating to some and bothersome in social areas.
• Ongoing maintenance – Draining the reservoir can be daily; cleaning the filter must be frequent.
• Release heat – Your AC has to compensate for the heat released during operation.

Pros whole-house dehumidifiers:

• Improves property value
• Long-term energy/money savings
• Low maintenance
• Maximizes humidity elimination
• No additional room clutter
• Quiet
• Whole-house coverage

Cons whole-house dehumidifiers:

• Expensive – They are an investment that becomes part of your property.
• Professional installation required – DIY installation voids warranties and compromises home safety.

Is a whole-house dehumidifier ever worth the expense? Yes. Here’s why:

• Enthusiastic contractors sometimes install oversized AC systems in new homes; they tend to run short cycles, which unbalances air distribution. A whole-house dehumidifier can help your air remain comfortable every minute.
• If you have several portable dehumidifiers throughout your home, they are unsightly, noisy, and inconvenient. They operate inefficiently and require constant maintenance.
• Your central air may not be enough to reduce high humidity in your home.

Which type of dehumidification system that works for your lifestyle and budget depends on your needs and preferences.

Can a Dehumidifier Replace AC?

The cost of whole-house dehumidifiers can be about half (±$5,000) the cost of a new HVAC system (±$10,000). Can you replace central air conditioning with one whole-house dehumidifier? Yes. Will you continue to have the same level of comfortable, cool air? No.

Even a whole-house dehumidifier is not designed to cool indoor air; most are designed to work with your existing HVAC unit. Removing excess moisture can naturally make indoor air cooler, but it won’t be enough to keep your home cool and comfortable. Air conditioners will remove humidity from your home, but it’s sometimes not enough to maintain comfort.

If you have whole-house air conditioning, you could benefit from a whole-house dehumidifier or perhaps even a one-room dehumidifier. But you must have AC because in Texas, air conditioning can be a survival tool. Any whole-house home dehumidifier in this area still requires whole-home air conditioning.

Country Air professionals can answer your questions about adding a whole-house dehumidifier to your office or home AC system. You can text us or call 281-356-8564.