Should I get an air purifier or dehumidifier?

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Should I get an air purifier or dehumidifier?

by Debbie
(WA)

Hi Lisa,

I am having difficulty knowing what to purchase, an air purifier or a dehumidifier; I can't afford to get both at this time.

About 2 years ago, I started experiencing almost constant stuffy nose, post nasal drip, and about 1.5 years ago, started having difficulty breathing. I've never had allergies before except for the occassional stuffy nose in the morning.

I have lived in my appt for 9 years and have not had problems prior to 2 years ago.

I've seen a couple doctors, including an allergist with little success at resolving the problem. I began to wonder if maybe the humidity in my appartment was too high, causing the breathing problem, and maybe/probably mold in the air, causing the sinus problems. I started to do research on what might be the best dehumidifier for my needs and space. In the process, I also came across air purifiers. I do have a musty odor in my appt and so wondered if that would get things out of the air and help. Then I wondered if an air purifier was just taking care of the symptoms of mold from high humidity. If my hygrometer is accurate, my humidity level currently runs between 62-70%

So I'm at a loss as to what would be best for me to purchse. Would a dehumidifier also get rid of the odor? Would a dehumidifier just take care of one problem, but the air purifier take care of the rest? I don't know how all of this stuff works, which is why I am asking.

Thank you

Debbie

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Should I get an air purifier or dehumidifier?

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Nov 03, 2011

That's Ok
by: Debbie

Hi Lisa,

That's Ok re the Ozone generator; hopefully I won't need it anyway, and if I do, I trust that I will get the right one!

Take care and again, thanks for all your help! I greatly appreciate it!

Debbie

Nov 03, 2011

ozone generator
by: Lisa- site expert

Hi Debbie,
Sorry, I am not really familiar with ozone generators. It is something I plan to research more soon! I'd say look for one with a timer and good reviews on Amazon, then see if you can find one that you like at a store near you. Hopefully the dehumidifier will do the trick and you won't need the ozone generator though :)
Lisa

Nov 03, 2011

PS Ozone generator
by: Debbie

Hi Lisa,

I forgot to ask - do you have any recommendations for a good ozone generator no more than $100 for in case I need to get one?

Thank you :o)

Debbie

Nov 03, 2011

Cool re ozone generator
by: Debbie

Hi Lisa,

Thank you for the tip re the ozone generator, and yes, much cheaper than an air purifier. Hopefully I won't need it, but if I do, it will be something I can afford!

Thanks again! I will keep you posted! I will purchase the dehumidifier sometime next week, so will let you know how it goes.

Debbie

Nov 02, 2011

eliminate smells from mold
by: Lisa

Hi Debbie,
I enjoy answering questions- so thanks for asking! The dehumidifier should help with reducing the smell/odor in your home. Drier homes have much less smells. If the smell doesn't go away, you could try an ozone generator.

Ozone can irritate your lungs, or your pets lungs, so it is best used in a closed room when no one is in there and turned off a while before going back into the room (one with a timer would be good for that). Ozone generators kill germs/mold ect and can be cheaper than an air purifier...some around $60 and up. You should only need to use the ozone generator a few times to get rid of mold, then the dehumidifier will keep it dry.

You might not need the ozone generator, just wanted to throw it out there as an option that is lower cost than an air purifier. Getting rid of that mold over the long run will benefit you sooo much. Let me know how it's going in a month or two. Also, glad you found it at home depot- always better to get these things at a local store for possible returns.

To your health!
Lisa

Nov 02, 2011

Thanks for your help
by: Debbie

Hi Lisa,

You should never have said it was Ok for me to ask more questons if I have them. lol

I'm glad you approve of the dehumidifier I picked out. I would have got something else had you said that one was really bad or something like that.

ALso, yes, I found I can get it at Home Depot on line and can return it at the store here if it doesn't help things. I don't want to buy somewhere else on line and end up having to pay huge shipping cost and sometimes, restockinig fee. I assume they would take it back even if I've used it. Well, hopefully I won't have to return it. Then, sometime down the road, if I feel I need it, I will also invest in an air purifier. Will the dehumidifier alone take some of the odor out of my appt?

Oh, one thing about the soleus air I picked out is that it doesn't have that energy star thing. But everythning else fits my criteria. Maybe it's so good it doesn't need the energy star thing. lol I just found it odd that the brands other ones are energy star but that one isn't. Weird.

Thanks again so much for all your help! I really didn't know where I was going to find my answers and I didn't want to go in blind and end up making bad decision out of ignorance. Now if it doesn't work, I hold you accountable. (lol just kidding)

Have a great day!
Debbie

Nov 01, 2011

soleus dehumidifier
by: Lisa

Hi Debbie,
Looks like you found a good dehumidifier. I'd look around on the internet to see if you can find it in a store near you- like WalMart, Home Depot and such. Soleus is a generally great brand, though sometimes if you need to return it for some reason, it's helpful to be able to go to a store to exchange or refund it.

Overall it looks like a great dehumidifier for your needs. Do make sure to run it on high so that is really pulls the moisture out of the air as much as possible for the first month or two.

I have friends who've lived in damp places with high humidity and it is amazing how many health problems can arise from the mold that grows from the damp. I'm glad you decided to get a dehumidifier and hope that your health gets better from the healthier air.

I'm so happy I could be of help! Please let me know if you have more questions.
Lisa

Nov 01, 2011

Thanks again!
by: Debbie

Hi Lisa,

Thank you so much for your input! I have been wanting to ask someone who knows what they are talking about re this for a while, and so when I came across this site, I was thrilled! Thank you for replying!

Like I said, I had been doing some research to at least figure out what dehumidifer or air purifier I would get once I knew what to get, and I came to a decision. Unfortunately(?) it's not one on your list, but I would like to run it past you to see if you think it's a good one. One of the things (besides of it working lol) is that it's as quiet as possible. I can't deal with the noise. So with that in mind, it seemed this one might be good. Soleus CFM40 40 Pint Room Dehumidifier. It says it covers 500-600 sq ft, My appt is not too big - 1 bedroom. I've often wondered if whatever is going on in my appt is also causing an ongoing problem with burning and/or tingling in my mouth/tongue, which then "tells" my eyes to start burning too. lol I don't know because that started right after I had some severe chemical reaction to going off a med -then again, so did the sinus thing. Who knows! Frustrating! I'm also limited financially, so that limits me to getting something much bigger than the Soleus Air. I would love to be able to get both the dehum and the air purifier (i have one picked out) but I can't right now.

Thank you, and I look forward to hearing what you think about the Soleus.

Debbie

Oct 31, 2011

dehumidifier best for your needs
by: Lisa- site expert

Hi Debbie,
Great question which to get first. Thanks for all the info about your situation. That helps with my recommendation. I'd strongly suggest a dehumidifier! If the humidity is generally over 55%, then there is mold growing. It is sneaky and likely not even visible.

Look for a dehumidifier that is rated to dehumidify a space larger than you have so it will keep the humidity lower than 45% ideally. Below 40% would even be good to dry out your home. This will stop the growth of mold, but won't get rid of any already there. It should help you breathe better in any case. If you run forced air heat in the winter you can get a furnace filter that is heavier duty and change it monthly to help clean the air.

You are right, starting with an air purifier would not stop the mold growth and may not be very helpful without a dehumidifier.

I hope this helps and you can see under "best humidifier" which brands I recommend. Though dehumidifier technology is fairly simple. You just need to make sure it is powerful enough to keep the humidity down!

To your health- may you be able to breathe better soon!
Lisa

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Should I get an air purifier or dehumidifier?

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Should I get an air purifier or dehumidifier?