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I've just moved into a "basement-ish" apartment; the actual ground level is about at my waist. It's a bit mustier than I'd hoped, and not as cool as I'd like during these closing days of Summer. I'm looking to pick up a small dehumidifier, and a small portable air conditioner, one to handle dampness in general; and the other to keep me cool.

In looking at my portable AC options, I see that there are a bunch of them that also function as dehumidifiers, on their own. Does anyone know if they're decent and efficient at this task? Should I stick to purchasing separate units, or can I get by with a two-in-one?

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Actually, an AC unit is a dehumidifier by default -- so the two in one things are just advertising something that an AC unit already does.

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  • Sure, but in the winter, it'll only be running the fan; it will be too cold for the thermostat to trigger the compressor/condenser.
    – Eric B
    Sep 6, 2011 at 16:07
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    The compressor has to run in order to dehumidify. A dehumidifier is simply an air conditioner that doesn't keep the cold air separate from the hot air.
    – Loren Pechtel
    Sep 8, 2011 at 1:34
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It is very unlikely that a two-in-one will be as flexible as two separate units. Most ACs have a fixed relationship between the level of de-humidification and the level of cooling. There will likely be times when you want just de-humidification without cooling.

So if you can afford it, you will be more comfortable with two units.

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