Forecasters are predicting that this year’s hurricane season will bring fewer storms than normal, which is something we all definitely hope is the case! Still though, while we may see slightly less wind activity—and of course, your safety is top priority this time of year—there are still some factors that remain unchanged year-to-year. For example, with the excess moisture in the air, comes excess indoor humidity.
When the relative humidity in your home reaches about 50% (30-50% is the range of comfort) it means there is too much moisture, and it will be harder for you to cool down, as your sweat will not evaporate as easily. Excess humidity also causes problems for your property and your cooling system. Fortunately, there is a solution—a Land O’ Lakes, FL dehumidifier installation.
Is Humidity Really That Bad?
As we referred to above, human beings are able to naturally stay cool by sweating—sweat evaporates off of our skin, and in the meantime lowers our body temperatures. When humidity levels are too high, however, the amount of ambient moisture in the air prevents this process from occurring.
As a result, sweat stays on your skin, making you uncomfortable as the air feels hotter than it really is. And that’s not all—too much humidity puts a great deal of stress on your air conditioning system, because it has to work harder and expend more energy to do its job. Excess moisture also encourages the development of mold and bacteria in your home, leading to a stale, stagnant feeling, and potential health problems for you and your family.
How a Dehumidifier Helps
Your air conditioning system does have some dehumidifying properties. Lowering the temperature of the air is a good way to remove moisture from it. This is because as the air cools, ambient moisture coalesces into liquid form, and is removed from the air as droplets—similar to how dew appears on the ground in the cool early hours of morning.
But even though air conditioners do act as dehumidifiers to a small extent, they aren’t designed to do so effectively. A whole-house dehumidifier takes the functionality of an air conditioner a step further—it doesn’t need to worry about venting hot air like air conditioners do and has a much larger condensate collection and drain system than your cooling system does. Also, it can be adjusted so you can set your humidity levels to taste—something your AC unit cannot accomplish.
Take Advantage of a Whole House Dehumidifier Today
There are a number of benefits to having a whole house dehumidifier installed, including:
- Lower Monthly Cooling Bills: By easing the stress placed on your AC system, you may be able to turn up the temperature or even shut down your AC on cooler nights this hurricane season. Your air conditioner will be subjected to less wear and tear, and therefore will last longer before requiring repairs.
- Reduce Mold Risks: The reduced indoor humidity in your home will make it harder for mold, mildew, and other bacteria to grow. This results in a healthier household for you and your family.
- AC System Integration: A whole-house dehumidifier isn’t as obstructive of a component as you may think—when correctly installed by trained professionals, this system is directly integrated with your AC unit, saving space and making it easy to use.
Take one more step toward protecting your home, your health, and your comfort this hurricane season—contact IERNA’s Heating & Cooling for a whole house dehumidifier installation.