Whole-Home Dehumidifiers
Does Your Home Have Too Much Moisture?
To conserve energy, homes are increasingly being constructed more and more airtight. Storm windows, insulation, caulking, and filling cracks with weather stripping are just a few ways homeowners strive to save energy.
However, these techniques also make it more difficult for heating and cooling systems to remove excess humidity, no matter how new the technology.
What Are the Health Risks of Excess Humidity & Why Should It Be Eliminated?
The bottom line is that excess humidity makes your indoor air feel uncomfortable and increases the health risks that come with a damp home environment, such as air pollution from mold or mildew growth.
However, managing the humidity level of your home can give you greater comfort and improved indoor air quality.
The ideal level of humidity in your home is 45%. Although it’s challenging to maintain such a consistent level, working to keep humidity as close to 45% as possible will make your home feel more comfortable and prevent it from becoming an environment where mold, mildew, and bacteria can thrive.
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What Are the Financial Benefits of a Whole-Home Dehumidifier?
While shopping through your local superstore, you’ve probably seen portable dehumidifiers — these are great for small spaces, such as a child’s room, but when you need to dehumidify your entire home, you need a whole-home dehumidifier.
During the summer, your home’s humidity levels will naturally soar. Most homeowners resort to lowering their thermostats to escape the muggy heat, increasing their utility bills. A better solution is a whole-home dehumidifier.
The dehumidifier will work to eliminate that clammy feeling without having to lower your home’s overall temperature. Imagine a cooler home without touching the thermostat! Using your cooling system less means saving more.
How To Determine If Your Home Needs a Dehumidifier
You might not realize your home is falling prey to excessive humidity. Take a look at these telltale indicators of an overly humid home environment.
- Mold spots: One of the easiest signs to see is mold spots. They’re the number one indicator of excessive humidity. This is a dangerous problem and can spread quickly, causing health issues and decreasing the value of your home.
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Condensation buildup: If you notice the windows are covered with beads of water or there’s a vapor-like fog on the glass, you have a room with too much moisture. Your home’s humidity is working overtime.
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Musty odors: An old or musty smell in your home almost always means mildew and mold are present. These contaminants thrive on moisture, which starts to collect in areas like basements, garages, and crawl spaces.
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Water damage stains: Water stains along your walls and ceilings are a sign of excess moisture. Have a professional inspect water stains to ensure you don’t have pipe leakage. If you see the damage, the water is already present, and a dehumidifier will help begin the drying-up process.
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Rotting or buckling wood: Wood retains moisture, and with an overload, it will begin to buckle and rot. Rotting wood attracts unwanted pests like termites, and the damage can be cosmetic, causing you to consider expensive remodeling.
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Allergies: Allergy-prone homeowners will notice a significant increase in allergy troubles due to their indoor air quality. Excess moisture in the air breeds airborne allergens like dust mites and mold spores. If your allergies act up while you’re inside, you likely have poor indoor air quality. High humidity can also cause discomfort like chapped lips and more severe issues like respiratory problems.
At F.H. Furr, we’ll send one of our BPI (Building Performance Institute)-certified specialists to your home to assess your indoor air quality and humidity levels. They’ll give advice and options that will help you make the best choices for your home comfort and help save you money every month.
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FAQs
How does a dehumidifier work?
Dehumidifiers pull the damp air in your home into the unit and cool it through a condenser that removes the moisture from the air, collecting it into a bucket built within the system. It will then push the dry, humidity-free air back into your space.
What size dehumidifier do I need for my home?
A few factors determine the unit size needed for your specific home. It’s important to consider the square footage of the space you want to install your dehumidifier. The larger the area, the more power is needed to remove humidity.
The humidity level of your climate also plays a significant role in how hard your unit will need to work.
How should I maintain my dehumidifier?
Dehumidifier maintenance is simple. One of the main aspects of unit maintenance includes regularly cleaning the air filter, which should be done at least every six months. However, this number may change depending on the frequency of use or the level of humidity in your home.
The bucket that collects excess moisture should be regularly well-cleaned to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
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