Risks of High Humidity in Your Home

June 1st, 2018 Posted in Dehumidifiers
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Humidity levels impact many aspects in your home, from comfort to cleaning. When humidity levels spike to levels above 60% on a consistent basis, you could be at risk for problems in your home. Here are some of the risks high humidity can pose to your home and health and what you can do to prevent these problems.

Mold Problems from Humidity

One of the biggest concerns with high humidity is mold growth in your home. This can include the pink molds that grow in your bathroom shower as well as dangerous black molds on windows, walls and closed spaces. Mold is a pain to clean and can pose health risks to your family, especially infants and those with respiratory issues. Reducing humidity can help control mold growth for a healthier home.

Material Damage

Humidity and mold can damage materials in your home. This can include anything made with paper products like books, photo albums and documents. It can also impact wood, which can be damaging to your furniture and home. Door and windows can stick, and wood drawers can swell or warp. Fabrics and upholstery can mildew and stain. Reducing humidity can protect the wood and paper in your home, as well as fabric or upholstery.

Odors

A musty home is usually caused by high humidity. If your home smells musty, it is a sign of too high of moisture and possible mold or mildew problems in the home. Clear out odor and the cause by thorough cleaning and reducing your humidity levels.

If humidity is a problem in your home, talk to your local HVAC service company about adding a whole house dehumidifier to your home. It is worth the investment to prevent the risks to your home and family from high moisture.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
3870 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite 340-129
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 475-9555

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Is The Humidity Too High Inside Your Home?

November 20th, 2014 Posted in Dehumidifiers
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Certain regions of the country experience higher than normal humidity levels, which can only get worse inside buildings. Once this moist air is confined, it has the potential to cause mold, health problems and even damage to the structure. If you live in an area with high humidity, your home may be in need of a whole house dehumidifier to protect your family’s health and the integrity of your home. 

Signs Of High Humidity In Your Home

There are definite signs your home is experiencing high humidity levels. Some of the signs are obvious, such as mold growth and rot. However, not all the signs are as easy to recognize. Keep an eye out for these signs, which may indicate the presence of excessive humidity levels: 

–        Allergic reactions. Humidity can cause mold spore growth and increase the levels of dust mites in your home. Both of these contaminants can aggravate people who have allergies and asthma, contributing to heightened symptoms and reactions.

–        Stains on walls or ceilings. If you’ve noticed water spots or stains on your walls or ceilings, it may be from excess moisture accumulating in your home. This can cause damage to your home which can be expensive to repair.

–        Mold growth. While all homes can have mold growth, if you have noticed an increased amount in your bathroom or kitchen, humidity levels may be to blame. Are you noticing musty smells or condensation on the windows? If so, your levels of moisture are too high and may be causing excess mold in your home. 

The best solution to high humidity in your home is a whole house dehumidifier. Your local HVAC contractor can test your home’s humidity levels, and offer advice about installing a new dehumidifier in your home to remedy the problem.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
Marietta, GA
(770) 475-9564

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Why Do I Need A Dehumidifier?

September 28th, 2014 Posted in Dehumidifiers
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Basements are not only the only place in the home where excessive levels of humidity can exist.  Often excessive humidity exists throughout the home and should be removed, as it can be a health hazard to the home’s occupants.  In addition, it can cause damage to the home and contents of the home as well.  

There are a number of visible clues for which may mean the presence of excessive humidity including dampness on the home’s walls and ceilings, musty odors throughout the home, condensation on the insides of windows, flare ups of allergies and the presence of mold and mildew in the bathrooms.  While these visual clues are effective, the best way to determine the humidity levels is to measure the humidity level with a hygrometer. 

If excessive humidity exists, the best solution is to add a whole house dehumidifier, which will maintain the humidity at a constant level.  The key is to remove the excessive humidity, while maintaining enough moisture to make the home comfortable and keeping wood joints from gapping.  While air conditioning units reduce the humidity in the home, a whole house humidifier works even when the air conditioning is not being used. 

Whole house dehumidifiers are preferred over portable dehumidifiers due to their ability to provide whole house coverage, while portable units only provide localized coverage.  In addition, portable dehumidifiers require the units to be plugged into existing outlets, as well as a periodic emptying of the water collected in the pan.  A whole house unit is a part of the HVAC system and all of the moisture collected during dehumidification is piped out of the home.

Posted on behalf of Find Local HVAC

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Things That Everyone Should Know About Mold

March 11th, 2013 Posted in Dehumidifiers
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There are potential health risks and symptoms associated with exposure to mold, such as allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory problems. Mold is a common problem in some households, but unfortunately there’s no practical method for eliminating all mold and mold spores in an indoor environment. The best way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. 

If there is a mold problem in your home, you should see that the mold is cleaned up immediately, and try to eliminate any possible sources of excess moisture. Any sources of unwanted water or problems with leaks should be addressed  to prevent the growth of mold. Try to reduce indoor humidity to a level between 30 to 60% if possible.  Installing a dehumidifier can help control indoor humidity year round, even when your central air conditioning system.  There are numerous ways to decrease mold growth: venting bathrooms, as well as other moisture generating sources from outside your home; use air conditioners and dehumidifiers; open doors to increase ventilation; use exhaust fans while cooking, washing dishes, and cleaning your home. 

Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent within 24-48 hours of getting damp or west to prevent mold from growing, and allow to dry completely. Any absorbent materials like ceiling tiles which show signs of mold will need to be replaced if all traces of mold aren’t eliminated. Reduce the potential for condensation on any cold or wet surfaces like windows, pipes, exterior walls, or floors. Consider adding insulation to cut down on condensation. In areas where there could be a moisture problem, do not install any carpeting (e.g., on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation). 

Mold can be found almost anywhere. If your home has a problem with mold, contact a licensed HVAC professional immediate.

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Be Comfortable This Summer With A Whole House Dehumidifier

April 23rd, 2012 Posted in Dehumidifiers
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Don’t suffer through another hot, humid summer without a whole house dehumidifier installed by your local HVAC contractor.  When it comes to staying comfortable in your home, cooling the air is only half of the equation. Dehumidification to keep the humidity level below 50% makes the conditioned air feel several degrees cooler and keeps you and your family dry and comfortable.

If you’ve ever heard the saying “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity” you probably understand the importance of drying air along with cooling it.  The reality is that it’s both the heat and the humidity – addressing one without the other will leave you feeling uncomfortably warm and sticky.

Your central air conditioning system dehumidifies as it cools the air, but dehumidification is only a secondary function of a central air conditioning system and many systems cannot keep up with high levels of humidity.  A whole house dehumidifier works with your central air conditioning system to provide increased dehumidification.

Your HVAC technician will install the system directly into your existing ductwork to allow cool, dry air to be distributed throughout your home.  Whole house dehumidifiers use a “humidistat” similar to a thermostat to keep the humidity in your home at a preset level.

A whole house dehumidifier can save you money on your energy bills by allowing you to set your thermostat a few degrees higher without sacrificing comfort.  Since the air is drier, it feels cooler and your air conditioner will not have to work as hard to cool your home.  If increased comfort with lower utility bills sounds good to you, talk to your local HVAC contractor today about installation of a whole house dehumidifier.

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