Five Reasons to Install a Dehumidifier
Hot, humid, and sticky best describes our summers here in Austin, Texas. But even in the winter, we can still have excess moisture in the air. Sure, your air conditioner works hard to zap some of the humidity from your home. But if you want to get the job done right, you need a dehumidifier.
A quality whole-house dehumidifier integrates with your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment to reduce the excess moisture in the air and restore a proper humidity level. These systems can quickly improve your indoor air quality and your overall comfort.
At AiRCO Heating & Air Conditioning, our NATE (North American Technician Excellence)-certified specialists can help determine the right whole-house dehumidifier for your home and quickly install it. Listed below are five reasons why a dehumidifier makes perfect sense for your Austin home.
1. Say Goodbye to High Humidity
Your ideal indoor humidity range is between 30 and 50 percent. Humidity levels that dip below 30 percent lead to dry skin, stuffy noses and a scratchy throat. Plus, the dry air fosters a perfect breeding ground for viruses like the flu. Dry air is bad for your health.
High humidity levels topping 50 percent make it difficult to breathe, especially if someone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma. Dust mites thrive in a moist environment—and so does mold and mildew. Excess moisture in the air can damage your wood furniture over time, causing the joints and frame to swell. It can feel like a sauna.
2. Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
The temperature of your home, ventilation, and humidity all play a role in your indoor air quality. At AiRCO, many of the products we offer are designed toward improving the air quality inside your home—including humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and air filtration systems.
After all, most Americans on average spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the concentration of indoor pollutants in some homes is two to five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. Pet dander, dust, and other air particles can quickly take their toll.
3. Your Health and High Humidity
At normal humidity levels in the range of 30 to 50 percent, any sweat we produce will evaporate from our skin, helping us to cool off. This is not the case with high humidity.
Excess moisture in the air makes it difficult for sweat to evaporate, leaving you hot and sticky. Your body has to work harder to cool off, which leads to more sweating. Other health risks from high humidity include dehydration, fatigue, muscle cramps—even heat stroke.
4. High Humidity Can Cost You Money
Both high humidity and low humidity can damage your wood furniture in different ways. Dry air can cause your wood furniture and floorboards to split and crack. It also dries out caulk and glue, creating drafty around your doors and windows. That means money is leaking out your pocket every time you switch on your overtaxed HVAC system.
High humidity, on the other hand, causes your wood furniture to warp and eventually deteriorate. These conditions also allow for mold and mildew, which tend to thrive on leather and wood furniture.
5. High Humidity Is a Drag
Life has enough challenges—why sweat the small stuff? Whether you install a whole-house dehumidifier or purchase a portable model that you can move around from room to room, creating a healthy environment matters to you and your family. Improved air quality allows you to sleep better, breathe better, and enjoy your Austin home. Kick high humidity to the curb—your comfort depends on it.
Call Your Air Quality Experts
At AiRCO Heating & Cooling, we know how to improve your indoor air quality. No matter how hot it gets here during our summers here in Texas, you deserve to stay comfortable inside your home. Call 512.537.1234 or request service online today to learn more about dehumidifiers and finding the right product for you.