Do the windows in your home always seem to “fog up” whenever they’re closed, and you’re running the HVAC system? Does your home have an unpleasant musty smell? Does the air inside your home feel damp and leave a cold, clammy feeling on your skin? Are you noticing signs of mold growth in the basement or other moisture-prone areas of your home?
These are just a few of the many signs of excess humidity in a home. While a certain amount of moisture in the air is necessary — a 30-50% relative humidity level is suitable for most people — a higher level (60-70%) will decrease your comfort and possibly create health issues for you and your family.
Problems resulting from too much humidity can include:
Many of these issues are cumulative — the longer they’re allowed to continue, the greater the damage they will cause over time.
There are several steps you can take to reduce moisture and humidity inside your home:
While each of these techniques may only make a small contribution to resolving your humidity problem, the combination of multiple methods can make a noticeable difference in the comfort of your home.
For more challenging humidity issues, you may need to install a dehumidifier to remove the excess moisture content from the air. Many homes throughout the West Shore and Harrisburg areas rely on portable dehumidifiers in basements and other damp areas. These do a fair job and are somewhat easy to operate; they do however need to be drained or dumped regularly and cycle on and off causing them to use a lot of electricity for little output. Whole-house dehumidifiers can handle 10 times what a portable unit can cover and can be freestanding or ducted into a basement or existing HVAC system. These systems have a huge advantage over portable models, and can even help ease the burden of your homes air conditioning system during our sticky summer days.
Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is your source for a whole-house dehumidifier that will increase the comfort of your home and protect it from damage caused by excess moisture. We also provide expert dehumidifier sizing and installation service. Contact us for more information and a free estimate today.
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