The condition of air and the ambient atmosphere plays a huge role in our physical as well as mental well-being.
Exposure to extremely dry or wet air can cause damage to the skin cells, as well as induce feelings of distress and fatigue to the people living in such conditions.
Key Takeaways
- A humidifier adds moisture to the air, while a dehumidifier removes excess moisture.
- Humidifiers are commonly used in dry climates or during winter when the air is dry.
- Dehumidifiers are used in humid climates or areas prone to mold and mildew.
Humidifier vs Dehumidifier
A Humidifier is used to adjust the moisture levels in the air. It is used during dry seasons or in areas with dry climates to prevent respiratory problems, and dry skin. Dehumidifiers are devices used to reduce humidity levels in areas that are prone to high humidity like bathrooms.
A humidifier is an air conditioning device that is used to increase the humidity of the air in a closed space, by adding extra moisture to the air in the ambient atmosphere.
The relative humidity of the air is increased using the humidifier and thus the air is made wetter.
A dehumidifier is the exact opposite of a humidifier, as it is used to reduce the humidity of the air present in an indoor space.
The relative humidity of the air is decreased by taking out moisture from the air. Thus a dehumidifier is used to make the air drier.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Humidifier | Dehumidifier |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A humidifier is a device used to increase the humidity of a closed space | A dehumidifier is a device used to decrease the humidity of an indoor space |
| Operation | The air is made wetter by adding moisture | The air is made dry by taking out moisture |
| Characteristics of air | Air becomes wet, sticky and may develop an odor | Air becomes dry, crisp, and without any odor |
| Relative humidity percentage | The relative humidity increases to more than 50% | The relative humidity decreases to less than 30% |
| Allergic factors | As the air is wet, it may influence the growth of bacteria and germs in the closed space | As the air is dry, bacteria and other germs cannot proliferate in such conditions |
What is Humidifier?
A humidifier is an air conditioning device that is used to increase the humidity in the air present in a closed atmosphere, such as an indoor office space or any other room.
The increase in humidity is brought by adding extra moisture to the air present in the room.
The addition of extra moisture to the air increases the percentage of relative humidity of the air present in the room. Thus a humidifier is used to increase the relative humidity above 30-50%.
The addition of moisture in the air makes the air wet and slightly damp. The wetness and dampness of the air can be controlled by controlling the percentage of relative humidity that is desired in the room.
Typical humidifiers consist of a water reservoir and an outlet. The water in the reservoir is let out in the form of tiny particles into the air through the outlet. Thus the additional moisture is added in the form of atomized water molecules to the air.
Cool mist humidifiers are the most common type of humidifiers. In these humidifiers, moisture is added into the air in the form of cold mist. Cold mist also decreases the ambient temperature of the room.
What is Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is an air conditioning device that is used to decrease the humidity of the air present in an indoor space. It works exactly opposite to a humidifier as a dehumidifier takes out the extra moisture present in the ambient air.
A dehumidifier is used to reduce the percentage of relative humidity present in the air to below 30-50%. Air with a relative humidity percentage below 30% is termed dry air as the amount of moisture present in the air is very low.
A dehumidifier consists of a fan that works as an exhaust unit. The fan sucks the air present in the room and feeds it to a set of condensation coils in the dehumidifier.
The condensation coils condense the warm air and remove water droplets from the air. Condensed water droplets are stored in a water reservoir inside the dehumidifier unit and the cold and dry air is let out through the outlet of the dehumidifier.
The amount of condensation to be performed on the air and the amount of moisture to be removed can be controlled and thus the dryness, temperature, as well as purity of the air can also be maintained using a dehumidifier.
Main Differences Between Humidifier and Dehumidifier
- A humidifier is a device used to increase the humidity of a closed space. A dehumidifier is a device used to decrease the humidity of an indoor space
- A humidifier makes the air wetter by adding moisture. A dehumidifier makes the air dry by taking out moisture
- A humidifier may cause the air to become sticky and develop an odor. A dehumidifier makes the air crisp and removes any ambient odor.
- A humidifier increases the relative humidity to over 50%. A dehumidifier decreases the relative humidity to below 30%
- A humidifier may cause an increase in bacteria growth. A dehumidifier prevents the growth of germs.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0017931015301046
- https://search.proquest.com/openview/c7d984436b1fb3035ba8597c1c136c83/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=1416335
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