High indoor humidity can have all kinds of effects on your health and your home. In the summer in St. Louis, when the humidity can get really high, your best defense is a dehumidifier. Although a portable dehumidifier might seem like the easiest option, a whole-house unit comes with many of its own benefits. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of whole house dehumidifiers vs. portable dehumidifiers?
Portable dehumidifiers
The good:
- Less expensive to install than whole house units
- Can be moved from room to room
- Easy to install
The bad:
- Can only dehumidify one room or a small section of your home
- Must be placed in plain view and can get in the way
- Require more frequent maintenance
- Are less energy-efficient than whole house units, especially when multiple portable units are used around the home
Whole house dehumidifiers
The good:
- Can control the humidity levels of your entire home from one unit
- More effective at removing moisture from the air
- Hidden with your air conditioner away from sight
- Work automatically and require very little maintenance
The bad:
- More expensive to install
- Require a more complicated installation by an HVAC professional
Whole house dehumidifiers vs. portable dehumidifiers: Conclusion
The benefits of a whole-house dehumidifier far outweigh those of a portable unit. Not only are they easier to operate and maintain, but they are also much more effective at dehumidifying your home. If the price of installing a whole-house unit is a problem, and you only want to dehumidify one room in your home, then a portable unit might be right for you. In all other scenarios, we recommend installing a whole-house unit and enjoying the benefits of a humidity-controlled home.
If you have any questions about whole-house dehumidifiers vs. portable dehumidifiers, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical and Plumbing, your St. Louis heating and cooling company.