Should You Run a Dehumidifier and AC at the Same Time?

Should I run a dehumidifier and air conditioner simultaneously?  Many homeowners like yourself often face this dilemma in summer. You should run a dehumidifier and air conditioner at the same time when your home feels too muggy and sticky, causing discomfort and potential health risks.

However,  you shouldn’t run a dehumidifier and AC together all the time. Otherwise, it may lead to over energy use, and potential strain on your electrical system. While they share similarities, both have distinct functions to help improve indoor comfort, temperature, and air quality.

Let's find out in detail why and when you should run a dehumidifier and air conditioner at the same time.

Should You Run a Dehumidifier and AC at the Same Time?

Is it okay to use a dehumidifier and AC at once? Yes, it is okay to use a dehumidifier and AC at the same time in certain situations. The main function of an air conditioner is to cool the air. But, it also reduces humidity to some extent as a by-product of the whole air cooling system. Whereas, a dehumidifier is designed to remove access moisture from indoor air.

Therefore running both appliances together can help you keep your indoor environment, fresh, healthy, and comfortable. Having said that, whether you should run a dehumidifier and AC together at once depends on certain factors such as humidity levels and outdoor conditions.

When should you use a dehumidifier at the same time

You should run both when…

1. There is Excess Indoor Humidity

Factors such as flooding, excessive rainfall, and poor ventilation, among other activities, can add a significant amount of moisture to your indoor air. Long exposure to high indoor humidity can cause several problems if not addressed in a timely manner. Not only does it put an extra burden on your air conditioner, but it can also lead to mold buildup, mildew, and structural damage. 

So, if you experience frequent condensation on your walls or windows, or if you feel muggy and sticky, you might consider running a portable dehumidifier alongside your air conditioner. This not only removes indoor humidity but also lessens the burden on your air conditioner.

2. You Live in a Humid Region

If you live in a region with consistently high humidity, such as a coastal city, you need to run both a dehumidifier and your HVAC system simultaneously sometimes to help achieve optimal indoor comfort. External humidity has worse effects on your indoor humidity. Ideally, the relative humidity should fall between 30% to 50%. But in certain places such as Florida and Louisiana, the humidity level goes up to even more than 75%, especially during summer. So, a dehumidifier becomes a necessary tool. 

If you’re living in a hot and humid area, your external weather conditions make your indoor environment extremely sticky and muggy. And you might feel uncomfortable even when your air conditioner is running, as high humidity makes you feel hotter than the actual temperature. In such cases, when your existing HVAC system becomes insufficient, running a dehumidifier for home simultaneously can help improve your indoor conditions.

3. Your Specific Needs Demand It

You may also need to run a dehumidifier alongside your existing air heating and cooling systems if your home is experiencing specific issues. For instance, a highly damp basement can be a source of high humidity throughout your house. So, you need to rely on a dehumidifier to resolve such issues. Remember, a regular dehumidifier might not be effective at removing moisture from basements. So, you need a specific dehumidifier for basements. 

Due to factors such as proximity to the ground and insufficient insulation, moisture can easily seep into your house through basements and crawl spaces. Since these spaces lack effective ventilation, most of the moisture stays there. If not addressed in a timely manner, it can damage your goods and property. Besides, moisture from these areas travels throughout your house, making your air conditioning system less effective as well. In such cases, you need to run a heavy-duty dehumidifier for crawl spaces or basements alongside your HVAC system.

Will a Dehumidifier Lower Your Air Conditioning Bill?

Running a dehumidifier will lower your air conditioning bill in certain cases. Typically, an air conditioner is used for cooling the indoor air, but it also removes some moisture in the process. However, it can’t reduce humidity levels as efficiently as a dehumidifier does. So, when your indoor humidity is too high, your home HVAC system has to work harder to cool the air. This might lead to higher electricity consumption and, consequently, increased energy bills. 

A high-quality dehumidifier removes indoor humidity quickly. So, you should run your dehumidifier even before starting your air conditioner. Since the drier air is easier to cool, your air conditioner won’t have to work harder. This potentially reduces energy consumption and, as a result, saves on your electricity bill. 

Running both simultaneously is particularly helpful in highly humid areas, as it not only lowers your air conditioning bill but also keeps your indoor environment comfortable and healthy. For optimal results, set your air conditioner to a higher temperature when your dehumidifier is running. Or, try to run the AC less frequently when your dehumidifier is in use. This way, you’ll enjoy a comfortable home while optimizing energy costs.

Can You Use Your Air Conditioner as a Dehumidier?

Using your air conditioner as a dehumidifier is not the most efficient way to remove moisture from your indoor air. As part of the overall process, air conditioners remove some moisture from the air. Humidity condenses and drains away to some extent when the air passes over the cold evaporator coils, and this helps reduce the humidity level in your home. 

However, the primary function of an air conditioner is to cool the air, not to dehumidify it. So, it can’t replace the need for a standard dehumidifier, which is designed to handle consistent, high humidity. Also, humidity persists for longer if you set your air conditioner temperature too high, which can cause significant discomfort. 

Therefore, if you want to use your air conditioner as a dehumidifier, you need to ensure that it fits your room size and condition. Remember, you need a dehumidifier for your home if your indoor humidity is too high.

Read this to find out more about how to control your indoor humidity.

Conclusion

Whether you should run a dehumidifier and AC at the same time also depends on your personal preferences. While both appliances can address moisture-related issues, they are primarily designed to serve different purposes. 

Sometimes, you might need to run both devices simultaneously to achieve desired results, particularly when the weather is hot and humid. However, for some homeowners, only one appliance might do the job. So, you need to consider your home conditions, local climate, and personal preference when choosing one or both devices. You can consult an HVAC professional if you can’t decide how to address your indoor conditions. 

Don’t know how to choose the perfect indoor air solution? You can explore our website or contact our support right now. At Baseaire, we help our visitors and customers choose the best solution for the problem.