the truth about humidity and dehumidifiers

The Truth about Humidity and Dehumidifiers

It’s easy to recall a hot, humid day where you couldn’t get relief from that sticky, uncomfortable feeling. But, humidity is not just an outdoor condition. Your home can be an uncomfortably humid environment too. Beyond being uncomfortable, high indoor humidity is also a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria – mildew, mold spores, dust mites – that can harm your health. It is reported that people who live in homes with consistent high humidity get sick more often and suffer from overall poorer health.  

Beyond the personal discomfort and potential health issues, high humidity and poor ventilation also take a toll on the structure of your home. Examples include serious issues like mold and mildew spreading inside walls, floorboards creaking and bending, peeling paint, and warped woodwork. In addition, condensation on windows and walls can cause structural damage. Older homes are particularly prone to holding excess moisture due to poor insulation and ventilation. Even newer construction in the Midwest risks damage from frequent freezing and thawing.  

You can’t put a price on your family’s health, but repairs to your home can be significant.  Don’t let humidity ruin your health, your home, and your budget. There are solutions available to help you manage the issue.

The Dehumidifier Solution

You can immediately lower high humidity in your home by using a dehumidifier.  Dehumidifiers reduce moisture in the air by using a fan to suck HOT air into the compact unit then cooling the air as it crosses refrigerated coils and expelling the excess water into a drain.  

Portable Dehumidifiers

There are both portable and comprehensive dehumidifiers available for your home. You can find portable dehumidifier units in most big-box retail stores. Often these units can be wheeled into a room and controls allow you to manage the desired performance level. Unfortunately these portable units only treat the humid air in that area but do nothing for the rest of your home.

Full-Home Dehumidifiers

The most effective and comprehensive solution to reduce humidity throughout your home is a system that attaches to your home’s central heating and cooling system. The desired performance level is usually set at the thermostat that controls your central heating and cooling.  Since air is a “whole house” matter, many experts believe that the best solution is a dehumidifier that is attached to your furnace with the goal of improving air quality throughout your entire home.   

Your Buck’s HVAC team member can help you determine the appropriate state-of-the-art dehumidifier that best fits your home’s needs.

We Help Homeowners

Rely on our industry knowledge and experience when replacing your furnace or central air conditioning, adding a dehumidifier or clean air system, or cleaning and servicing your heating and air conditioning system. We are just a phone call away when you need to schedule your annual heating and cooling inspection or duct cleaning. We even help you take advantage of rebates from manufacturers and energy companies.

We make the HVAC updating and maintenance process as stress-free as possible.

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