As temperatures begin to rise, you might start to notice things getting a little sticky feeling within your home. Even in cooler conditions, indoor moisture can be a problem that can lead to discomfort and even cause damage to items within your home. There are steps you can take to remedy such sticky situations, but the key is understanding exactly what issues you’re facing. High indoor humidity levels are likely to be blamed for the problems you’re encountering, and a professional HVAC company like Green Dot Heating & Air can help you find the right solution.
One extremely effective method to rid your home of excess moisture is the installation of a whole-home dehumidifier by a professional HVAC technician. These energy-efficient devices can regulate the humidity throughout your entire abode, allowing you to feel more refreshed and preventing moisture damage to your property. Keep reading to learn more about humidity and the problems caused by excess levels, as well as the benefits a dehumidifier can provide.
About Optimal Humidity Levels
The term “humidity” simply refers to the amount of moisture in the air. When you go outside on a sweltering and humid day, you feel hot, sticky, and just overall uncomfortable. There’s not much you can do to beat the heat outdoors except dress appropriately, carry a fan, or find some shade. Fortunately, there are ways you can adjust the humidity levels inside your home to improve your comfort. It’s recommended that humidity levels remain between 30% and 50% indoors for best results and to prevent future problems.
Once humidity levels start to go above that range, you will likely begin to feel the effects. Levels above 60% are considered to be high. Such elevated levels of humidity can actually contribute to health issues and damage to property.
How a Dehumidifier Works
The purpose of a dehumidifier is, as the name implies, to remove humidity from the air. Though there are room dehumidifier units that can take care of a small area, you’ll want a whole-home dehumidifier if you’re dealing with excess moisture throughout the dwelling. In order to remove humidity, a dehumidifier pulls moist air in and passes it over a refrigerant coil. This process condenses that air, removing the moisture from it. The dry air is then expelled from the system to return to your home’s environment. As this air is circulated throughout your home, humidity levels out. The water collected by a whole-home dehumidifier travels through a drain line and is removed from your home.
Signs You Need a Dehumidifier
High levels of humidity can be caused in a variety of ways. Perhaps you have a leaky pipe or other fixture. Wet basements can often lead to excess moisture in a home. Sometimes, poor ventilation is the culprit. A trained HVAC technician can help you get to the bottom of your humidity problems. However, it’s important to know what to look for so that you can reach out to the pros for assistance.
There are many possible signs of high humidity. You may notice condensation or water droplets around windows and doors. Perhaps a persistent musty odor exists in a particular room or throughout your home. If you see mold or mildew buildup in certain areas of the house, you probably have too much humidity. Water stains are another sure sign of excess moisture. If you have creaky furniture, cabinets, or other wood structures, it could be due to too much water in the atmosphere.
Benefits of a Dehumidifier
There are loads of benefits to installing a whole-house dehumidifier. Too much moisture in your home can lead to many health concerns. This is especially true for allergy sufferers or others with respiratory issues. Excess moisture conditions can be a breeding ground for mold, dust mites, bacteria, and other common allergens.
The moisture levels must be returned to normal range if you want to put a stop to the proliferation of such irritants. That’s where a whole-home dehumidifier can help. It can also cut down on the number of pests such as millipedes, insects, or other creatures that are drawn to standing water or extreme humidity. Again, these things can be a real health hazard, and you want to rid your home of them as soon as possible.
Installing a dehumidifier can protect your property by removing the excess humidity that causes warping and rusting. The faster you take care of the problem, the more likely you can protect your items from damage in the first place. Books, clothing, and food items are vulnerable to humid conditions. You’ll save money by not having to replace these items as often. The same can be said for larger items inside your abode.
Metal and wood are both prone to water damage, so you can stop such damage in its tracks by simply removing the excess water in the air. Metal door frames and hinges are some of the first to be affected by rust, causing your door to not work as it should. Not only is this annoying, but it can also make your home less efficient by allowing drafts to creep in. In addition, wooden window panes and even walls can be negatively affected, leading to warping or erosion. You don’t want to have to repair or replace these things unnecessarily.
Condensation buildup is another problem associated with humid spaces. Rooms like bathrooms and kitchens are notoriously susceptible, but high humidity can occur anywhere in your home. A dehumidifier can keep your home dry and free from puddles of condensation. When water builds up, mold and mildew are sure to follow. As noted, these substances can wreak havoc with your health. In addition, they make your home look dingy and less than clean. When you have a mold problem, you’ll notice musty or mildewy smells, which are also quite unpleasant. Want to freshen up the air in your living quarters? Look into a whole-home dehumidifier.
In general, returning your home’s air to normal humidity ranges will improve your health and that of your loved ones, including your pets. It can also help you to keep a cleaner and more hygienic home. Plus, you can protect your personal possessions and property from damage by cutting down on the moisture that causes it. Finally, you and your household members will simply be more comfortable when you take care of what’s causing that hot and sticky feeling.
Reach Out to Learn More
We hope this information has helped you to understand more about humidity and its effects. If you suspect you have a high humidity problem, we can help. An expert indoor air quality technician can inspect your home, determine the source of your humidity issues, and determine the correct solution for your particular situation. A whole-home humidifier may just be the answer you’ve been seeking.
Our team is dedicated to assisting residents of Wilmington, NC, and the surrounding area with their home comfort needs. In addition to providing indoor air quality services, we offer professional air conditioning repair, installation, and maintenance. Plus, we work on furnaces and heat pumps to ensure you stay warm in the cooler months. You can also count on our company to provide custom ductwork and ductless VRU (variant refrigerant unit) systems.
Contact Green Dot Heating & Air today to learn how we can make your life more comfortable.
