During the summer, it’s not always the heat coming in from outside that makes your home feel uncomfortable; the presence of moisture in your indoor air is also a factor as to why you experience that “sticky” feeling. This hot, muggy environment is a result of excessive humidity, and is a problem many homeowners face today.
Cooper Brothers, Inc., your local home furnace repair pros, discusses what you need to know about dealing with high levels of humidity in your home.
Certain central ACs don’t just provide cool air–they remove excess moisture as well. Even so, this function is not always enough to keep basements, crawl spaces and other areas that tend toward dampness humidity-free. You can determine if the indoor air is full of moisture if you smell something musty, which is a sign of mold. Other signs include window condensation, wall and ceiling stains and uneven floorboards.
Many AC repair pros recommend maintaining a relative humidity level of 45-50%, which is considered ideal for most spaces. Levels above 50% create an environment where mold spores, dust mites and bacteria thrive, leading to respiratory problems and allergic reactions. Levels below 45% can be just as damaging, causing structural damage to your home such as cracked ceilings and uneven floorboards.
Investing in a dehumidifier is a great way to combat the problem of high indoor humidity. Dehumidifiers are categorized based on capacity: small, medium, large and whole-house. The whole-house type can be integrated with your home’s existing HVAC system, and can remove excess moisture in spaces of up to 3,000 square feet.
Apart from using the dehumidifier, you can also keep humidity levels in check by opening your windows every now and then. In doing so, you ensure improved air circulation, moving stale indoor air out and fresh air in. Leaks from faulty pipes and seepage from clogged gutters must be repaired as soon as possible. Use exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms to remove unwanted moisture at the source.
Cooper Brothers, Inc. is dedicated to getting rid of excess moisture in your home and alleviating its notable effects on your home and health. We provide a variety of air quality products and services to make your home safer for you and your family.
Our technicians can also be trusted for your furnace replacement or heat pump repair needs. Call (408) 659-8879 or fill out our contact form to request a free new systems estimate.