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Almost decided on buying a dehumidifier for the bedroom in the basement to make it more comfortable? Hang on — the choice isn’t as simple as it seems.
The air conditioning requirements for a basement won’t be the same as an above-ground space. Moreover, you might as well opt for an air conditioner to improve the atmosphere.
That’s why you’ll need to delve deeper to understand which of these devices can truly make the ambiance comfortable enough for a peaceful night’s sleep. Don’t worry; we’re here with this simplified guide to help you choose between an air conditioner and a dehumidifier. So, read on!
What Is Better For A Basement Bedroom Air Conditioner Or Dehumidifier
Before we discuss which appliance is best suited for a basement bedroom, let’s briefly look at how each works.
How Do Air Conditioners Work?
An air conditioner works through a combination of different components, the primary ones being a condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, and compressor. It pumps a fluid called the refrigerant through several pipes to remove the heat from the room in a couple of steps.
The process starts with the rapid pumping of the refrigerant through the expansion valve and its conversion into a gas. As a result, the refrigerant cools down and runs through the evaporator coils. The fans behind these coils help throw the cool air into your room.
At this point, the refrigerant has absorbed all the heat in the room. The hot liquid is then transferred to the compressor, where it turns into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas.
Finally, the refrigerant flows through the condenser and is blown over by fans that eliminate the heat — that’s what you see when the fan on an outdoor unit is blowing warm air. This step turns the refrigerant into a liquid, and the cycle starts again.
How Do Dehumidifiers Work?
Firstly, know that a dehumidifier eliminates moisture from the air but doesn’t cool it down. Though the dry air does lower the air temperature to some extent, the temperature reduction isn’t comparable to an air conditioner.
The majority of dehumidifiers on the market work by pulling in the moist air and allowing the moisture to condense and separate from the air. As the moisture converts to water, it’s collected in a tray or bucket that you need to empty from time to time.
Now that you have a basic idea about the functioning of these appliances, it’s time to understand the primary point of difference between the two.
Air Conditioner vs. Dehumidifier For A Basement Bedroom
As evident from above, an air conditioner mainly functions to reduce the temperature in any space and may cause a slight change in humidity levels in the process. But a dehumidifier is designed for the sole purpose of removing excess humidity from the air. It’s unlikely to cause a significant drop in the room temperature.
That’s why dehumidifiers are best suited for spaces that are highly humid but don’t require significant cooling. On the other hand, air conditioners are primarily installed for cooling, though they also function somewhat like a dehumidifier by default.
That’s why it’s crucial to consider a few key factors to pick the best choice for your basement bedroom.
Factors Affecting Your Choice
1. The Regional Weather Conditions
Firstly, you’ll have to figure out what your basement bedroom will need based on the prevailing temperature and humidity around the year. Thus, considering the weather in your region is key to making the right choice.
For example, if it rains throughout the year, the humidity will be pretty high, and a dehumidifier will be a must for the basement bedroom. Regions that mostly experience higher temperatures but little fluctuations in humidity will need air conditioning units.
There’s a catch here, though — even the most efficient brand dehumidifier for the bedroom will reheat the moisture-free air to some extent before releasing it as dry air. As such, there might be a slight increase in the room temperature in the process.
For some basement areas, this may increase moisture content considerably as hotter air is capable of holding more moisture. And the higher humidity will, in turn, cause sweating when it comes in contact with any colder surface.
This phenomenon is more likely to occur in basement bedrooms that aren’t highly insulated, as the moisture can then seep in easily through the foundations of the property.
That’s why such bedrooms might do good with a window air conditioning unit — installing one will allow the hotter air to drain freely and prevent the rise in temperature. Do note that you need not set the temperature at a very low level to reap this benefit.
2. The Ideal Temperature Settings
However, if you still choose to go for a dehumidifier for such a bedroom, you’ll need to figure out the best temperature settings suitable for tackling the humidity in the room. Your choice of dehumidifier will hugely depend on this factor — not all models will offer the right temperature settings for the desired moisture control.
Search online on what temperature should I set my dehumidifier in the bedroom, or reach out to the customer support of a reputed dehumidifier brand.
Apart from this, you’ll also have to consider your budget while choosing between the two appliances. An air conditioner comes at a higher cost and requires additional expenses for the installation too. In comparison, a dehumidifier doesn’t have any installation requirements as it’s a portable plug-and-play device.
These units are also more cost-effective than air conditioners but won’t provide the super-effective cooling functionality like the latter. Anyhow, we’d recommend discussing the most suitable choice with an expert service that deals in installing room heating or cooling solutions.
What Is Better For A Basement Bedroom Air Conditioner Or Dehumidifier FAQs ?
Will high humidity levels affect the functioning of an AC system?
If a room with an air conditioner has a high humidity level, the machine will be strained in the process of maintaining the desired thermal levels in the space. This will lead to uneven cooling and might cause more wear and tear in the system, so much so that you might need to repair the appliance at some point in time.
To ensure that an air conditioner keeps functioning properly, experts recommend maintaining a relative humidity of 30-50% in any space. Do note that indoor relative humidity refers to the amount of water vapor contained in the air compared to the maximum amount the air can hold at a given temperature.
How to choose the right air conditioning system for your basement bedroom?
Here are the key factors you’ll need to consider while zeroing in on a suitable air conditioner:
i) Type
As we just explained, air conditioners are available in a number of types that differ in their functioning and vital specifications.
That’s why you’ll need to choose any one of them based on your budget, the home layout, and other specialized requirements. For instance, a split AC will be best for a small room as it will enable quicker cooling and will provide a quieter performance. Portable ACs are suited for basements of rented apartments as they don’t require fixing in one place.
ii) Energy Consumption
Getting an energy-efficient model is of prime importance nowadays, given that power tariffs are increasing quickly with the rising mercury levels. To ensure you’re able to gauge the energy efficiency of a model easily, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency offers a standard Energy Efficiency Rating by means of stars.
A rating of 3 to 5 stars is considered desirable for an AC, so you need to pick a model rated in this range to get the best results.
iii) Cooling Capacity
The cooling capacity of air conditioners implies the amount of heat they can remove from the air in a particular duration and is measured in BTU (British Thermal Units). Do note that the cooling capacity will be directly proportional to this number, so you’ll have to ensure the value is enough to heat your room effectively.
What do you need to consider while buying a dehumidifier for the bedroom?
The following are the key aspects for determining the right choice for a bedroom dehumidifier:
i) Unit Size
While a unit that’s too small for a room will run more vigorously and add more heat, a much larger one will take up more space. That’s why you’ll have to find the option that fits the area properly and functions as needed.
ii) Humidity Issue
A room with a more severe humidity issue will require the dehumidifier to run more often and at a higher speed. In such cases, you’ll need a more energy-efficient and high-performing model.
iii) Noise
You wouldn’t want a noisy unit to wake you up in the middle of the night. So, make sure to check the customer reviews to ensure the noise level is well within the prescribed limits.
What Is Better For A Basement Bedroom Air Conditioner Or Dehumidifier Final Words
We hope you’re better equipped to choose between the two appliances now.
As you can see, the best choice will be subject to your needs and preferences with regard to temperature and humidity levels. And once you have the right air conditioning device in place, your basement bedroom will feel no less comfortable than an above-ground one.
