Understanding How Humidity Impacts Your Home
Living in Georgia, we experience some of the worst humidity in the country. In particular, August is the most humid month. Many people find the humidity uncomfortable, and it can feel incredibly oppressive on the worst days. Humidity not only makes allergy symptoms more pronounced, but it also makes us feel hotter, making the summer heat almost unbearable. Consequently, we all love to retreat into our homes, where we can enjoy a break from the heat and humidity. But, what do you do if your home suffers from excess humidity?
Common household causes of humidity:
- Showers
- Washing machines
- Dishwashers
- Cooking
Dealing with increased humidity in your home is frustrating, especially during the summer. You may be wondering if a dehumidifier can help. The answer to excess household humidity is a little more complicated than just running out and buying a dehumidifier. While it may go a long way in solving your problems, it’s not a magic bullet, and there is a lot of disinformation out there about these appliances. Keep reading as we debunk a few common myths about whole-home dehumidifiers.
Myth: You Only Have to Worry About Humidity in Your Basement
Though basements are more prone to being damp and having issues with humidity and moisture, they are not the only area of your home that may be of concern. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens are also prone to humidity issues. Meanwhile, homes suffering from serious humidity issues often have symptoms of the problem across the entire house, not solely in the basement.
Myth: A Dehumidifier Will Solve All My Humidity Problems
As previously mentioned, a dehumidifier isn’t a magic cure-all for your humidity problems. However, homeowners dealing with serious humidity issues can go a long way in rectifying the situation by installing a dehumidifier. When it comes to humidity, the goal is not to remove all moisture from your home. Instead, you want to strike a balance where there is enough moisture in the air to keep you comfortable, but not so much that your AC has to work overtime or that mold is allowed to grow.
If you suffer from humidity issues, we always recommend you speak with one of our humidity specialists to determine if a dehumidifier is appropriate for your situation.
Myth: A Dehumidifier Will Keep My Home Cool
You likely have heard that humidity greatly impacts how cool or warm you feel. It is true that more humidity is linked to feeling more uncomfortable in the heat. For example, many people find the dry heat of the Southwest easier to deal with than our humid summers. However, simply removing humidity doesn’t serve to cool the air in your home.
While your dehumidifier is not the same as an air conditioner, it provides your AC with vital support in keeping your home cool. By balancing the humidity in your home and ensuring that there isn’t too much moisture in the air, your AC won’t have to work as hard.
Myth: I Only Have to Worry About Humidity During the Summer
When it comes to dealing with humidity in your home, the name of the game is balance. Generally speaking, less humidity during the summer can help you feel cooler and more humidity in the winter can help you feel warmer. When using a dehumidifier or humidifier in your home, the goal is to keep a stable humidity level. Also, homes dealing with excess humidity issues often deal with them year-round, and you may have to use your dehumidifier even in the winter. This is especially true here in Georgia, where we experience relatively temperate winters.
Are you struggling with humidity in your Atlanta home? Premier Indoor Comfort Systems, LLC can help. Our HVAC team can inspect your property, identify the source of your humidity problems, and help you determine if a dehumidifier is an appropriate solution.