When you turn on your air-con to fight the Australian heat this summer, it not only removes the heat but also takes moisture from the air. Dry air can cause a plethora of issues, such as dry skin, dry throats, cracked lips, and more. That’s where using your AC in combination with a humidifier (or air con units with humidifiers built-in) can help put the water vapour back in the air.
However, too much humidity can cause issues as well, so a dehumidifier may also be necessary to reach optimal humidity levels.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at all three– humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and air conditioning units– and explain the important role each one plays in an Australian household.
The Importance of Air Conditioning Units
We all love our AC units; they keep our families and us nice & comfortable when those sweltering hot Australian summer days come. Air cons also protect us from a variety of health issues associated with high temperatures, such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat cramps, and more.
However, it does more than fight the heat. Air conditioning units pump clean, fresh air into our homes which improves the air quality. The filtered air removes pollutants, allergies, bacteria, mould, irritants, and other contaminants from the air. This keeps respiratory and allergy issues at bay, which is especially important if you or someone in your family suffers from health problems such as asthma.
With poor air quality, you can develop many symptoms including a dry cough, headaches, sore throat, nose bleeds, colds, dry and itchy eyes, and more.
Another benefit of air conditioners is that they help prevent insect and parasite infestations. These organisms prefer warmer climates, so the cool air is undesirable and makes it harder for them to survive and reproduce. And if you hate mosquitos, your cooler skin temperature makes you an attractive target. Not only are they, alongside other insects and parasites annoying, but they can also transmit diseases.
But one thing to remember is that air cons also lower humidity levels, which makes the air dry (we’ll discuss the negative impacts in the next section). However, there are some air con units with humidifiers pre-installed in them so you can control the moisture levels for optimal conditions and comfort.
Take the ActronAir Wall Hung split system, specifically designed and developed to handle the Australian climate. It has a Dehumidification Mode it removes excess moisture providing the best comfort to be in your element. Specifically designed and developed to handle the Australian climate. Using the latest technologies, it also offers 3D airflow, a self-clean mode, and can work in temperatures up to 60°C.
The Importance of Humidifiers
As mentioned above, humidifiers also play an important role in our health and comfort. Humidity is a measure of how much water vapour or moisture is in the air. There are a lot of variables that affect humidity levels, such as the weather (e.g. it’s raining) or living near large bodies of water such as a lake or the ocean.
Conversely, living in arid areas means the air becomes dry which can cause a lot of problems. Research shows that the optimal humidity level in a home is somewhere between 30% and 50%. When it falls below or above this level (we’ll address high humidity in the next section), the air is considered dry.
Dry air causes many issues, such as flaring up allergies, a dry cough, dry & itchy eyes, nosebleeds, sinus headaches, dry skin, and more. It can also exacerbate respiratory issues such as asthma or bronchitis.
It can also make it difficult to feel cool, even when you have the air con blasting.
That’s where humidifiers can help. Simply put, these are machines that put moisture back into the air. There are a few different types available that can be used in conjunction with your AC to create the perfect conditions inside your home. There are:
- Evaporative humidifiers
- Impeller humidifiers
- Ultrasonic humidifiers
- Steam vaporisers
- Central humidifiers
If you’re looking for the most energy-efficient combination, then ACs can be used with ultrasonic and impeller vaporisers for a low-energy solution. But as we said above, you can solve this issue simply by purchasing an air-con system that comes with a humidifier built-in.
The Importance of Dehumidifiers
At the other end of the spectrum is having too much moisture in the air. If it reaches above 55%, then that could mean too much humidity. It can be excessive in areas close to the sea or other large bodies of water.
For example, high humidity is the ideal condition for mould, mildew, parasites and bacteria growth. We don’t need to tell you that all of these are bad for your health. When spores and other nasty things are floating through the air, you breathe them in which can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat. And it can become serious if these enter your lungs.
And while it might seem counterintuitive, high humidity also makes you feel hotter because it disrupts the body’s natural temperature regulation mechanisms. This can negatively impact your health by making you more susceptible to heat-related issues such as heat stroke and dehydration.
Plus, it’s downright uncomfortable and makes you feel sticky and gross. It can also give your home a strange, musty smell. It can also cause damage to your home because excess water can cause structural damage such as rot.
A dehumidifier works by taking water vapour from the air. And it also cleans the air by removing mould spores, dust, dust mites, bacteria, and other contaminants from the air. It can even help foods like bread and grains last longer since they aren’t being attacked by mould.
There are a few different types of dehumidifiers on the market. These include:
- A Heat Pump Dehumidifier
- A Desiccant or Chemical Absorption Dehumidifier
- A Dehumidifying Ventilator
And there are even ways to make a DIY dehumidifier. However, the simplest solution is buying an air conditioning unit with built-in dehumidifying functions. These are perfect for keeping your home at the right temperature and humidity level with a single machine.
ActronAir: Your Leading Provider for Air Con Installation, Service, and Repair
We’re an Australian-owned and operated company that’s been proudly serving our community for over 35 years. We pride ourselves in providing the best air conditioners in Australia that are specifically designed and built to meet our unique climate conditions and needs.
Whether it’s blistering heat, overbearing humidity, or freezing snow, we know our air conditioner technology is built to withstand it all. You can always rely on an ActronAir unit!
Want to learn more about our units or interested in purchasing one for your home or business? Then get in contact with us today, and one of our friendly and expert professionals will be more than happy to assist.
