Excess humidity is a common issue not just outdoors but also in indoor living spaces. If you deal with it in your home, you might be wondering if you still need a dehumidifier in the basement if you have air conditioning already.
If you live with extremely moist air, then yes, you most likely need a dehumidifier on top of your AC unit. While the AC can remove some of the moisture in the air, it might not be enough for extremely humid areas like your basement. Additionally, having a dehumidifier along with an AC can improve indoor air quality and lessen the burden on the AC.
Still, this depends on where you live: those who live in humid places might need a dehumidifier but those who don’t might fare well with just an AC unit.
Humidity and Moisture From the Air: Dehumidifier vs Air Conditioner
Excessively high humidity levels are a pesky issue to deal with. It’s uncomfortable and even more annoying if the indoor air in your home has excess moisture. It can be gross, sticky, and hot.
But other than comfort concerns, extreme humidity can cause mold and mildew growth. It can cause damage to your home’s structure and integrity and even your home’s furniture.
Additionally, excess moisture reduces indoor air quality which can be a major concern for those with allergies and respiratory issues like asthma.
If you don’t live in an area without extreme humidity, you might find that your home’s air conditioning system works well enough to remove excess moisture in the air.
While air conditioners can somehow dehumidify and remove excess moisture in the air, it’s only a byproduct of the system’s main process which is cooling your living space.
As your AC system works to cool your living space, it naturally lowers humidity. Whether that’s a central air conditioning unit or a portable air conditioner unit, moisture removal always comes as a bonus feature. But in the face of extreme humidity, your AC alone may not be enough. It simply isn’t built for such a function.
Your home and family might benefit better from a dehumidifier alongside an AC unit, especially if you live in an extremely humid climate. This could also work if the indoor temperature isn’t too high or too hot but the air feels grossly too humid.
Moreover, if your AC, HVAC system, or central air conditioner unit is too big a size for your home, it might forgo its bonus function of removing moisture in the air altogether, thus your family will have to keep suffering from excess humidity and moisture.
Do You Need a Dehumidifier in the Basement if You Have Air Conditioning?
Your basement is one of the most humid places in your home. It’s usually below ground level and people usually do chores like washing and drying clothes in them. These factors can cause high humidity levels in your basement.
So you’re wondering if your basement would need to use a dehumidifier unit on top of your AC unit. The answer is mostly likely yes. Considering it’s a very humid area, your AC might not provide enough dehumidification, so you might need a dehumidifier to keep optimal humidity levels.
Here are some more reasons to consider adding a dehumidifier in addition to your AC unit:
Running both keeps the perfect environmental balance
Running both an AC and dehumidifier will help create the perfect environmental balance. You can enjoy cool and comfortable air without excess moisture and humidity.
This not only keeps your family comfortable but also healthy and away from respiratory, mold, and mildew issues.
Humidifiers help ACs cool homes quickly
Humid air is much more difficult to cool than dry air.
Humidifiers remove excess moisture in the air, making the space cooler and comfortable. With far less moisture in the air, the AC unit can cool your home much quicker so you feel comfortable much faster as well.
A humidifier can help lessen the energy usage of the AC
When your AC unit can cool the space quickly, it uses far less energy than normal. This might also mean that you won’t have to run your AC 24/7 anymore since your dehumidifier helps make your indoor space more comfortable.
This not only lowers your monthly electricity bills but will also reduce normal wear and tear on your AC because the dehumidifier will help lessen the burden that falls on it.
Running both improves air quality
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), using both a dehumidifier and an air conditioner can control and maintain optimal humidity and temperature levels.
This greatly improves indoor air quality and helps reduce exposure to harmful toxins like formaldehyde emissions. This keeps you and your family safe and healthy.
Conclusion
When you’re planning, renovating, or simply working to improve your home and your family’s indoor living spaces, you might be wondering if you need a dehumidifier in the basement if you have air conditioning already. This is especially a common question for those dealing with extreme humidity issues.
The simple answer is yes, you most likely need a dehumidifier alongside your AC unit, especially if you live somewhere with extreme humidity. While an AC can somehow remove moisture in the air, it might not be enough for extreme humidity issues. Moreover, it can improve indoor air quality and lessen the burden on your AC unit.
Of course, not all households would need a dehumidifier if their AC units can adequately dehumidify. But for those living in extremely humid climates, this is a no-brainer.
