The Environmental Protection Agency recommends never letting relative humidity levels indoors get above 60%. For an optimal RH, the EPA advises 50% or below. That can be difficult to achieve through cooling alone, however. The air is naturally more humid in the summer, and while some dehumidification is a byproduct of air conditioning, your AC isn’t a dehumidifier. A whole-home dehumidifier is an appliance that extracts moisture from the air to achieve an optimal RH home-wide. Let’s explore the many benefits of that approach.
More Cost-Effective and Convenient Than Portable Units
Portable dehumidifiers are cheaper initially but can have several downsides. They lower the RH in your immediate space rather than throughout your home, and it’s often difficult or impossible to control the RH precisely. Whole-home systems are more cost-effective over the life of the equipment. They’re also easier to maintain. You’ll generally only need to schedule service once a year. You’ll need to clean and empty portable dehumidifiers regularly. Otherwise, you risk contaminating the air with mildew and other impurities.
Greater Comfort
The ideal RH for most people is between 30% and 50%. In that range, your home will be more comfortable whether sitting on the couch watching TV or working out. When RH is high, particularly above 60%, you’re prone to discomfort. This is largely because the higher moisture content in the air hinders sweat evaporation.
Improved Cooling Efficiency
People perceive the temperature to be higher when RH is high. With a whole-home dehumidifier, many people can run their AC up to 3 degrees less than they’re used to. That can lower your cooling bill by several percentage points. Your AC will also operate more efficiently. That’s because the AC doesn’t have to work as hard to achieve the desired temperature and will use less electricity.
Reduced HVAC Equipment Wear and Tear
That efficiency affects your AC or heat pump over the long term as well. It won’t have to cycle on and off as often. When it does cycle on, it won’t have to run for as long. That can affect how long your system lasts and how prone it is to breaking down.
Cleaner Home
One of the reasons the EPA recommends never letting your RH above 60% is mold. Another is dust mites. At 50% or below, the conditions aren’t right for mold. Mold spores are unlikely unless you have a leak. As for dust mites, an RH at 50% or below makes your home inhospitable to them. If present, eggs won’t hatch, and adult mites will die off.
Enhanced Indoor Air Quality
There’s a direct correlation between RH and indoor air quality. Moisture in the air is what allows for suspended particles. A higher RH doesn’t guarantee more indoor air pollution, but it allows for it. The other consideration is respiratory irritation. It’s more difficult to breathe in humid weather due to bronchoconstriction, which is a narrowing of your airways. The higher allergen load irritates your eyes, nose, mouth, throat, and lungs. That irritation can become inflammation. That can reduce energy, cause headaches and body aches, and make you more prone to illness. In people with allergies, it can make reactions more prevalent and increase the severity of the symptoms.
Better Sleep
According to the Sleep Foundation, humidity increases wakefulness and shortens how long you remain in the deeper sleep cycles. This affects healthy people. It can have an even more dramatic effect on those with allergies, asthma, or other short- and long-term respiratory conditions. Many experts agree that the ideal temperature for sleep is 65 degrees Fahrenheit and an RH at or below 60%.
Protect Electronic Devices and Other Possessions
High humidity can negatively affect your home in many ways. It’s particularly bad for electronics, including phones, computers, and televisions. The excess moisture can lead to internal components rusting. The moisture can also conduct electricity and cause short-circuiting. High humidity can cause structural damage, such as to walls and floors. It can also cause wood to warp and paint and wallpaper to peel.
Would You Like to Install a Whole-Home Dehumidifier?
Unique Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. is an HVAC company serving Northglenn, CO and the surrounding areas for over 15 years. Our technicians install and service whole-home dehumidifiers and humidifiers. We clean ducts and install air purification technologies, such as the ActivePure cell air scrubber. Our team also specializes in air conditioners, indoor air quality, heat pumps, furnaces, and tank and tankless water heaters. Contact us today to schedule a service appointment or on-site consultation for home HVAC services.
