Air Conditioning

Air is passed over the condenser coil, re-warming the dehumidified air. The terms condenser coil and evaporator coil do not refer to the behaviour of water in the air as it passes through each coil, instead it refers to the phases in the refrigeration cycle. Having the condenser coil in the main air path rather than in a separate outdoor air path ( just like a regular air conditioner) tends to result in two different consequences; the output air is warm as opposed to cold, and the unit is then able to be placed anywhere in the environment that is to be conditioned, without a need to have the condenser outdoors.

Ironically, unlike an air conditioner, a dehumidifier will actually heat a room lust like an electric heater that draws the same amount of electricity as a dehumidifier. A regular air conditioner transfers energy from the room by means of the condenser coil, which is outdoors. This is a thermodynamic system where the room acts as a system and energy is transferred out of the system. Conversely with a dehumidifier, no energy is transferred out of the thermodynamic system because the air conditioning unit is entirely inside the room. Therefore all of the electricity that’s consumed by the dehumidifier is energy that is input to the thermodynamic system, and tends to remain in the room.

Dehumidifiers are used in the cold, whereas cold, more damp climates to prevent mould growth indoors, especially in basements. They also are sometimes used in hot, humid climates for comfort because they reduce the humidity which tends to cause discomfort. (Just as a regular air conditioner, but without cooling the room in which its contained.)  

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