You may have heard people say that they have a humidifier or dehumidifier in their home, and now you’re wondering if you need one, too. But which is right for your home? And is it really necessary?
The Truth About Humidity in the Home
On a hot and humid day, it’s nearly impossible to feel completely comfortable. But the effects of humidity inside the home are a little less obvious to some people. When your home has an excess of humidity and moisture, both your health and your home’s structural integrity are at risk.
Bugs, dust mites, and mold are all unwanted house guests, but are all things that thrive in the humidity. Mold is perhaps a homeowners’ worst fear, and for good reason. When mold takes over a wall in your home, the biodegradation process begins and eventually the wall will start to break down. Imagine that happening to multiple structures in your home!
As for your health, mold is known to cause upper respiratory tract symptoms in even the healthiest of people. The presence of mold in the home has also been linked to childhood development of asthma.
Dehumidifier or Humidifier—Which Do You Need?
Determining whether you need a dehumidifier or humidifier in your home is fairly easy to figure out based on how you and your family feel in the house. The most clear-cut way to determine which you need is by purchasing a hygrometer, a tool that measures humidity levels. The ideal level of humidity for a home is between 35 and 45 percent, so if your humidity level falls above 45 percent, you should definitely consider a dehumidifier—a whole house dehumidifier to be exact. A hygrometer can be purchased from Walmart, Amazon, or your local hardware store.
If you’re not keen on purchasing a hygrometer, there are other tell-tale signs that a dehumidifier is in order.
- Condensation
- Mold spots
- Basement water issues
- Musty odors
- Water stains
- Allergies
Benefits of a Whole-House Dehumidifier
By purchasing a whole house dehumidifier for your home, you can eliminate problems associated with excess moisture throughout the entire house—not just one room or area. The benefits of a whole house dehumidifier include:
- Improved air quality – Overall air quality is measured by the amount of toxins in the air and by the humidity level. Reducing humidity also reduces the prevalence of dust mites and mold spores circulating in the air.
- Reduced risk of mold growth – Mold thrives in a moist, humid environment. It is recommended by the CDC to keep the humidity level of your home below 50% to prevent the growth of mold.
- Elimination of dust mites – Dust mites, like mold, thrive in a humid environment. Eliminating excess moisture and humidity will make your home an inhospitable environment for unwanted dust mites.
- Protection of your home’s structural integrity – Mold in the home not only affects your health, but also the structural integrity of the surfaces where it grows. Humidity is also the number one culprit of wood rot. Keeping humidity at bay reduces the risk of degradation.
- Increased comfort – When you continue to run the heat or air conditioning but still don’t feel comfortable, it is likely due to too much or too little humidity in the air. Keep your home comfortable while also making your air conditioning more effective!
See if a Dehumidifier is Right for Your Home
With so many benefits of purchasing a whole house dehumidifier, it seems like a clear cut decision. But every home and HVAC system operates differently. The experienced technicians at Jennings Heating and Cooling can assess your home and help you decide if a whole house dehumidifier is the right investment for your home. Contact us today to request an appointment!
Source: CDC
