In New Zealand, many homes struggle with dampness, especially over the colder winter months. This makes dehumidifiers a common household appliance. As awareness about indoor air quality increases, you might naturally consider an air purifier and dehumidifier combo unit. They promise the benefits of both devices in one, but are they truly effective? This blog explores whether these combo units are worthwhile, especially compared to standalone devices.
How Air Purifiers and Dehumidifiers Work
Air Purifiers
Air purifiers are designed to remove pollutants from the air, including dust, pollen, pet dander, mould spores, and other allergens. They work by drawing air through filters, such as HEPA filters, which trap these particles before releasing the cleaned air back into the room.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers, on the other hand, are built to reduce moisture levels in the air. They work by drawing in humid air, cooling it to condense the moisture, and then expelling the drier air. This process helps prevent mould growth and reduces dampness in homes.
The Promise of Combo Units
The idea behind combo units is appealing: one device that handles both air purification and humidity control. Since both appliances deal with air, combining them seems logical. Why get two separate appliances when they can be combined into one?
Different Machinery Requirements
However, as you can see from the above images, air purifiers and dehumidifiers require very different internal mechanisms to perform their functions. Combining them into a single unit results in a compromise, where neither function is performed as effectively as in standalone units.
Performance in Small Spaces
In small spaces like bedrooms or laundries, a combo unit might be passable. However, in larger spaces, the limitations become more apparent.
Evaluating Combo Units in NZ
We did some research on the available combo models in New Zealand. Note we haven't physically tested these, but rely on the figures provided by the manufacturers.
The primary metrics we looked at were CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) to assess the air purification ability and the daily moisture removal amounts. As a benchmark for the CADR, 200m³/hour makes it suitable for a space of about 27m².
Our base model air purifier, the Sqair has a CADR of 315m³/hour and is available for a price of $299.99.
Generally moisture removal levels for standalone dehumidifiers start at about 10L/day for low price models and top out at about 40-50L/day for higher end models.
High-End Models
Budget Models
Unfortunately we're extremely limited in our ability to compare other models we've seen by Sheffield, Dimplex & My Genie. None of these provide any information about CADR, but given their small sizes and low dehumidification performance we can't imagine the CADR is suitable for anything except the very smallest of spaces.
However a model shared by Sheffield & My Genie was only able to dehumidify 750mL per day, much much lower than any comparable unit!
The Case for Standalone Units
Given the high cost of a half-decent combo unit, let's look at why standalone units are the best option for most situations.
Efficiency and Performance
Standalone air purifiers and dehumidifiers are designed specifically for their respective functions, ensuring optimal performance. A dedicated air purifier will have a higher CADR, and a standalone dehumidifier will remove moisture more effectively.
Flexibility
Using separate units allows you to address specific needs as they arise. For instance, you can run just the air purifier during pollen season or just the dehumidifier during humid months, saving energy and wear on the devices. You also have significantly more options for features, performance ability etc.
Another point is a combo unit means there is one point of failure. For example we've seen reviewers unable to find replacement filters, meaning they can't use the air purifier and they're left with an under-performing dehumidifier.
Final Thoughts
While air purifier and dehumidifier combo units might seem convenient, they often fall short in performance compared to using separate, dedicated units. If you have space for only one device and are willing to spend a considerable amount, a high-end combo unit might suffice for a small area. However, for most situations, investing in separate air purifier and dehumidifier units will provide better air quality and moisture control.
While we don't have recommendations for specific dehumidifiers, if you're looking for great value, quiet and powerful air purifiers then check out our range!
