Can You Get a Humidifier and Dehumidifier Combo? Yes, Even a 3-in-1 with Air Filtration
Can you get a humidifier and dehumidifier combined into one?
And if yes, does this combo humidifier-dehumidifier appliance work as effectively as when both are separate?
Well, this is the 21st century, and anything that you can fathom in your mind is most probably already manufactured.
So, the answer is yes; you can find a 2-in-1 humidifier and dehumidifier unit. And not only can you get the dehumidifier-humidifier combo, but you can get a three-in-one unit of humidifier, dehumidifier, and air purifier.
For instance, you might consider buying the Danby PHD (DHCC6020) Silhouette 3-in-1on amazon.com. And there are other options too in other online marketplaces.
But for most of the combo models, their reliability is questionable.
Why choose a humidifier-dehumidifier combo?
The main benefit has to be space-saving. It is one compact unit, so you need just a small space to place it. If you had to buy each unit separately, that would most likely be double the space.
Another benefit is that you use less power than you would use with two units. It is just one plug, so you will only use one power outlet.
With a combo unit, you can dehumidify the air when need be and humidify it as the need arises. In another article, we looked at humidifier vs dehumidifier, and we agreed that you might need to buy both appliances.
Because of the different seasons that we experience in a year, you often find that in the summer, you need a dehumidifier as there is always excess humidity.
In winter, we crank up the heaters, which dry the air, therefore requiring the use of a humidifier to keep our indoor humidity levels between 40 and 50%.
Finding a humidifier with dehumidifier combo units is hard. In any case, there’ve been many complaints about the units available in the market. However, it is possible to find humidifier air purifier combo units.
Even when you have a humidifier and dehumidifier in one unit, you will want to know what it is supposed to do. Otherwise, it is not worth spending money on.
Which is better: humidifier/dehumidifier combo or single units?
To reiterate, the combo units are hard to find on the market. Therefore, you might opt to buy a humidifier and dehumidifier separately.
If you live in a city like Seattle, which is very humid, you might need a dehumidifier alone.
When you buy a modern unit with a humidistat, if the targeted humidity level is attained, it shuts off automatically. If the humidity increases above 50%, it turns on automatically to lower it.
If you live in a city such as Las Vegas, which has dry air, you will need a humidifier. Similar to the dehumidifier, buy one with a humidistat.
That way, when the set humidity level is reached, it stops adding more mist to your indoor air. When the humidity takes a dip, it starts automatically. Also, please note that an ultrasonic humidifier causes white dust. Thus, choose a cool or warm mist.
The trick is to know what you need in your home. Both the humidifier and dehumidifier maintain the required humidity level of 40 to 50%, albeit from different ends of the spectrum. If you live in Florida, you could buy both units.
Another option is to have a whole-house humidifier integrated into your HVAC system. Only an expert technician can do this. It is costly, but it saves you the trouble of buying a portable humidifier for every room.
You could also buy a furnace dehumidifier because sometimes even a large dehumidifier such as the 70-pint Frigidaire dehumidifier might not be enough.
For both furnace units, only experts can install and service them.
Dehumidifier and humidifier in one: reliability
Unfortunately, in most of the combo models, reliability has been quite an issue. Therefore, you might want to get separate units after all.
It would seem that the humidifier and dehumidifier, all in one, do not work very well. Also, they cost more money, and we assume they would also cost more money to fix if something went wrong.
When you are buying a dehumidifier, you need to consider many things. One of them is reliability. Will the unit lower the humidity in your home?
Some of the features that make dehumidifiers and humidifiers reliable include the humidistat. It tells your appliance when to shut down and when to start working again.
Another thing that you need to consider is the space rating. Even if you decide to buy a humidifier with a dehumidifier unit, you still have to consider the space rating.
If the space rating is 400 square feet, use it for a space that is between 200 and 400 square feet. It is important to know the size of the space that you will be humidifying or dehumidifying before you buy a humidifier or dehumidifier.
Do I need both a humidifier and a dehumidifier?
Yes, you do. In most places, the summers are humid, with humidity levels soaring above 50 percent. For instance, in London, the summer humidity levels can be higher than 70 percent. Therefore, you would need a dehumidifier to lower it.
Most places experience dry air in the house in the winter. Usually, this happens because the cold weather prompts you to turn on the heat in the winter.
The heat dries out the air, thus lowering the humidity level to below 30 percent. Therefore, you would need a humidifier to raise the moisture levels.
In addition to the dehumidifier and humidifier combined in one, well, if you live in a place with air pollution, you should still consider getting a 3-in-1 unit with dehumidification, humidification, and air filtration features.
I know… It sounds like such a tall order, but it is available. For instance, you can order the Hoomace 3 In 1 Small Humidifier Dehumidifier Combo With Air Filtration on Amazon.com.
Conclusion
It is quite possible to buy a humidifier and dehumidifier in one. However, until there are better units in the market that are more reliable, you might have to go with individual units.
Since the two units serve different purposes, you will need both units. Luckily, they are affordable, and with good care and maintenance, they last a long time.
