Dehumidifiers vs air conditioners in energy consumption?

A dehumidifier and air conditioner are quite similar in construction.

They both use a compressor to transfer heat. The air conditioner simply transfers the heat outside.

The dehumidifier creates a very cold zone which is below the dew point of the air. This extracts the water. If your dehumidifier is physically "in" your garage, like not attached to a wall or window, it is in fact heating that room.

I would recommend using just an air conditioner.

If you are interested in energy efficiency, I recommend a double stage evaporative cooler. It makes the air cool without adding humidity, and saves a lot of power. Check it out:

http://www.aurorapower.net/products/categoryid/2/l...

Dehumidifier Vs Air Conditioner

Dehumidifier Vs Ac

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RE:

Dehumidifiers vs air conditioners in energy consumption?

Do dehumidifiers consume roughly the same amount of energy as an air conditioner on average? yes i realize that they both come in different sizes/BTU's etc. And if air conditioners consume more energy.. about how much more? I am asking this because i currently run a dehumidifier in my garage...

I'm paraphrasing what my dad's saying - he's manager of the appliance division for my line of work, but he's done a lot of work with heating and cooling as well.

The air conditioner is going to pull out more moisture and cool out the garage. If the garage is smaller it would be better to get the dehumidifier, and average to large the air conditioner would be the best choice.

They are both the same type of systems.

1 The main difference is that the air conditioner throws the heat outside while the dehumidifier throws it back in the same room.

2 generally, air conditioners are much more powerful systems, therefore will consume more electricity

A small AC, say 6000~7000 BTU consumes about 8KW/Hour

Hope this properly answers your question