Can I Use Air Purifier With Air Conditioner?

Last updated on Apr 19, 2022 FEATURED

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In this era, almost every home has an air conditioning system. It does not matter whether it is a whole house system or small room devices. Also, due to the growing concerns about air pollution, many people have decided to install air purifiers. However, many people are wondering whether they can be used concurrently. This has prompted questions like can I use air purifier with air conditioner.

If you have similar questions lingering in your head, we can help you answer them. First of all, you should note that you can use an air purifier with an air conditioner. In this article, we discuss why it is possible and the related benefits.

What Is An Air Purifier?

Image showing Purezone Air Purifier — Air Purifier

Before we go into details, let us elaborate more on these devices. An air purifier is an appliance that reduces airborne pollutants. These majorly include dust, smoke, dander, odor, and others.

They come with different components that help trap these impurities. For instance, depending on the model, most air purifiers entail one or more filters. Some of these filters include pre-filter, HEPA filters, ionizers, and activated carbon filters.

Pre-filters act as the first line of defense. These work by trapping large particles suspended in the air before they reach the main filters. Also, the HEPA filter can remove 99.97% of airborne particles of up to 0.3 microns in size. Some of these pollutants include dust, mold, pollen, and bacteria. However, the HEPA filters should be periodically washed or replaced depending on the manufacturer's guidelines.

Carbon filters help remove odors, gases, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Additionally, ionizers help trap some small particles before they reach the air purifier. Basically, the air purifier releases ions, which get attached to a particle suspended in the air. The particulate to which the ions get attached becomes heavier. Thus forcing it to fall to the surface. These filters can help improve your indoor air quality.

How They Work

Here is an image showing an air purifier working — An air purifier purifying air

As illustrated in the image above, air purifiers work by pulling in polluted air. This contaminated air is passed through various filters before being pushed back in into circulation. When you put on your air purifier, the built-in fan starts pulling in the air.

The air pulling rate may increase depending on the pollution levels or the settings on the air purifier. However, you should know that the filters do get worn out and may need periodical replacement. If not replaced in time, the cleansing rate may reduce, thus leaving you exposed to allergens.

In general, air purifiers filter out airborne impurities to make air safe for breathing.

What Is An Air Conditioner

Image showing Pioneer Air conditioner — Air conditioner

At this point, you know air purifiers, how they work, and the mechanisms they use. Now let us also take you through air conditioners. According to Energy.Gov, air conditioners are used to cool down rooms. They do this by removing warm air and replacing it with outside cool air.

Air conditioners come with cold indoor coils commonly known as an evaporator. It is also equipped with a condenser. This is a hot outdoor coil that pushes the collected warm air outside.

Air conditioners come in different types. Some of these include central air conditioners, window air conditioners, hybrid air conditioners, ductless mini-split, and others.

How They Work

When working, an air conditioner operates in the same manner as a heat pump. However, this follows a cooling cycle.

First, air conditioners use compressors, which move heat transfer fluid (refrigerant). This is moved between the condenser and evaporator.

In this case, when the liquid refrigerant reaches the evaporator coil, it pulls heat from the room. This pulled heated refrigerant expands as pressure is reduced. So, this forces the refrigerant to cool down to below room temperature. It is then pushed back into circulation. Ultimately, this process is repeated to maintain your ideal temperature.

Can You Use Air Purifier With Air Conditioner?

Yes, you can use an air purifier along with an air conditioner. Depending on the above description, you can realize that air purifiers are different from air conditioners. In fact, they do not only differ in terms of how they work but also in the mechanisms they use.

In a nutshell, this means you can use these devices concurrently. Actually, using an air purifier along with an air conditioner comes with many benefits. However, you should also expect some drawbacks.

Benefits Of Using An Air Purifier With Air Conditioner

Improves Sleep

image showing a woman sleeping confortably — Woman sleeping comfortably

It is basically hard to sleep in a hot environment with lots of allergens. According to the Telegraph, bedroom temperatures play a major role in you getting better sleep. The article stipulates that you can sleep better under cool temperatures.

Also, it is difficult to sleep in a room with numerous allergens like molds, and dust mites.

If your house is characterized by hot temperatures and allergens, you are likely to develop symptoms of insomnia. However, you can solve such problems by using an air purifier and air conditioner. These two can make your room cool and remove airborne impurities, thus improving sleep.

Improve Work Performance

Image showing a team working — Working comfortably

Both hot and polluted can make you feel uncomfortable. But running an air purifier and air conditioner can help you feel better. These devices can make the whole environment so comfortable. This is because they can make the environment feel cool and pollutant free.

So, you can breathe better and improve your comfort. Therefore, this helps people at the workplace remain focused, thus improving their work performance.

Improve Air Quality

These two devices running at the same time can improve the air quality. Air conditioners can maintain the required humidity levels and temperature. Likewise, air purifiers can remove airborne impurities such as odor, dust, and others. Therefore, an air purifier and air conditioner can make the air quality good for you.

Can Control Allergy And Heat Hives

A combination of an air purifier and air conditioner can help control allergies and related issues like heat hives. A heat hive is a body reaction that causes itchy and red patches. Although these seem to be symptoms of allergies, heat hive results from increased body temperature. Ultimately, by using an air purifier and air conditioner you limit such conditions.

Drawbacks Of Using An Air Purifier With Air Conditioner

Costly To Maintain

Both air conditioners and air purifiers have filters. These filters require periodical replacement to remain effective. Although some air purifiers come with washable filters, they are not permanent. This means you have to replace them after some time. So, by owning these two devices you will have to spend on maintenance.

Increased Bills

Air purifiers and air conditioning systems use electricity to run. This means by using them at the same time, your electricity bills will significantly increase. While most of these devices are energy certified, they can make your power bills skyrocket.

However, the good news is that the drawbacks discussed above can be avoided. You can use an air conditioner with an air purifier combo. These can help minimize maintenance costs and power bills.

Air Conditioner With Air Purifier Combo

Image showing an air conditioner with air purifying system — Air conditioner with Air Purifier System

It is also good to use an air conditioner with an air purifier combined as one unit. Some air conditioners come with built-in air purifiers. In general, these are 2-in-1 devices that can purify the air and keep it cool.

When starting these devices, it is not automatic to have both functions running. However, depending on your needs you can enable both of them or choose one at a time.

The primary benefits of using such devices are low maintenance and bill costs.

Low Maintenance Cost

Compared to using two devices at the same time, air conditioners with an air purifier combo are cheaper. This is because you can maintain your device once in a while. Remarkably, this is different from using two separate units. They require maintenance at different time intervals. Ultimately, this can make the whole process costly.

Low Electricity Bills

One unit may not consume as much energy as two separate units. This means using an air conditioner with an air purifier function can consume less energy. Certainly, this does not only help keep your house comfortable but also keeps your bills affordable.

Conclusion

In brief, you can use air purifier with air conditioner. These can help improve your indoor air quality. They can make you more comfortable as you breathe in cool and clean air. This may help you prevent or improve some health issues. Some of these include allergies, heat hives, and asthma.

However, you may have to bear the consequences of owning these two units. For instance, your maintenance and energy bills may escalate. But in case you have not purchased the two devices, you can buy a 2-in-1 unit. These can help you avoid the challenges that come with using two units. In a nutshell, it is a good call to use an air purifier with air conditioner.