Installing a dehumidifier might be the solution to a comfortable and healthy home this spring and summer. As spring progresses, the air gets more humid. By summer, it’s uncomfortable to be indoors and out as temperatures rise.
Humidity and Comfort
The human body keeps itself cool by perspiring and as the humidity rises, the moisture on your skin can’t dry as quickly. It takes a lot of energy to evaporate water, which is how your body cools itself. When it’s slowed, your cooling process also slows. The ideal range for humidity is between 30 and 50 percent. When it’s warm out, lower humidity makes you feel cooler and experts advise that you’re better off keeping it on the low side.
Managing Humidity
When it’s dry outside, it’s easy to use exhaust fans to lower the humidity you create indoors by bathing and cooking. However, when temperatures rise, so does the relative humidity. The only way to lower the humidity is with a dehumidifier that’s either attached to your HVAC system or is a portable unit that you use room by room.
In the summer, air conditioners remove humidity by cooling the air, but they may not remove enough when the weather isn’t that warm. Unless there’s a heat wave, you won’t need air conditioning at all in the spring. Without a dehumidifying appliance, you either have to live with it or turn the A/C to low temperatures to drop the level.
Benefits of Healthy Humidity Levels
Keeping the humidity at reasonable levels will:
- Keep you cooler.
- Save energy.
- Prevent mold growth.
- Reduce dust mite populations.
- Lower severity of asthma and allergies.
- Reduce populations of bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Regardless of the energy savings you achieve, having a healthier and more comfortable home is a high-value benefit for installing dehumidifiers. Whole house units use less energy, are far more convenient and quieter than using the portable alternatives.
For professional help choosing the best dehumidifier for your home, contact Hartman Brothers Heating & Air. We provide HVAC services for New Haven homeowners.