When it comes to staying comfortable during the summer months, humidity can create an even more significant challenge than rising temperatures. Humid conditions make it difficult to stay comfortable and in extreme cases can even create health issues like headaches and asthma attacks.
If you are living in an area with a particularly humid climate, you are going to have to have an HVAC system that is capable of handling the humidity to keep your household safe and to avoid damage to your home and HVAC equipment.
There are a few special considerations you’ll have to be aware of and address if you’re living in an area where you have to deal with excessive summer humidity. The following are three special considerations to take into account:
Staying comfortable
Probably your number one consideration is going to be simply staying comfortable. Naturally, you’re going to do this with a good air conditioner. It’s important to remember that air conditioners don’t just reduce the temperature in a home. They also function to remove humidity from the air.
If you run your air conditioner but it doesn’t dry out your air enough to make it comfortable on your home’s interiors, you may want to run a dehumidifier in addition to your air conditioner. A dehumidifier will remove moisture from the air without dropping the air temperature like an air conditioner does.
Running fans in your home can also help you to deal with humidity issues and stay comfortable in your humid home. Fans work to circulate air, and blown air tends to have a drying effect. Running a fan can make it feel a few degrees colder in your home.
Keeping air conditioning equipment in good shape
Living in a humid climate puts extra stress on an air conditioner. The air conditioner model you choose is going to have a significant impact on how easy it is to keep your home comfortable in a humid climate. When it comes to areas with high humidity, it’s a good idea to use an air conditioner unit that offers a variable-speed air handler. You should ask an air conditioning specialist like All Year Cooling to find the ideal air conditioner unit for your unique situation.
There are many things you can do to make it easier for your existing air conditioner to keep your air less humid. For example, you can seal up any leaks in your ducts or other components of your home so that they do not let air out. Other things you can do to ensure greater airtightness include covering crawl spaces with a vapor barrier or keeping gutters and downspouts clean to prevent leaks. You can also make sure that you are venting any appliances that may create humidity- like clothes dryers- to the outside of your home.
Preventing water damage like mold and mildew growth
If you’re dealing with very high humidity levels in your home, your home may be more susceptible to water damage issues. Humidity in the air can seep into building components and furniture pieces in your home. It can seep into walls and damage your paint. It can also create an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth and pest infestations.
If you notice signs of moisture damage like wet spots on your walls or mildew growth, you need to address your humidity problem to keep your home healthy and comfortable.
If you need to learn more or have some HVAC work done on your home to deal with humidity, you need to get in touch with an HVAC services provider in your area like All Year Cooling to learn more. The only way to be sure that you’ll stay comfortable, avoid HVAC malfunctions, and prevent mold and mildew growth this summer is if you consult with HVAC technicians who understand all the challenges presented by humidity.