High levels of humidity can cause all kinds of problems in your home. Mold growth, poor air quality, increased allergies, and more can all happen with too much humidity. On the other hand, too little humidity can cause dry lips, aggravates dry mouth, and result in problems with electronic equipment.
So, what can you do about humidity levels?
Test Your Home’s Humidity
If your home is showing signs of too much or too little humidity, then you may want to have a proper humidity test done. This is done using a hygrometer, and multiple parts of your house will be tested to ensure a better reading and to establish any locations that have a humidity problem.
Your indoor relative humidity should be between 30 and 50 percent. If the temperature drops below 14 degrees Fahrenheit, it should be closer to 30, but this doesn’t happen in Florida! To easily get an accurate test of your home’s humidity levels, you should contact American Air Cares. We provide the best tests and can then give you advice on how to moderate the humidity levels in your home.
Do You Need a Dehumidifier?
Florida summers can be extremely humid. In fact, Florida is considered the most humid state in the nation. It’s hugely challenging to keep your home dry enough. The most common signs that you need a dehumidifier are:
- Condensation inside windows and glass doors.
- A musty smell.
- Visible mold on the ceiling or walls.
- Worsening allergy symptoms.
- Rot in wooden parts of the home, especially window frames.
- A clammy feel to the home.
You should take steps to avoid the causes of the humidity but in Florida, it’s most likely just the weather. A dehumidifier, thus, can be a lot of help to improve the indoor air quality in your home and can even support improved health. You may not need to run a dehumidifier all the time, and you may not need to run a dehumidifier in every part of your home. For example, it’s not uncommon to need one only in the bathroom or kitchen. Don’t forget that if the air conditioning is on, then the windows should be closed. It’s also worth talking to one of the professionals at American Air Cares, serving Port St. Lucie and the Stuart areas, about whether your AC system needs tweaking to lower humidity.
How Does Florida Winter Weather Affect Indoor Humidity?
Humidity levels are generally lower in the winter, although Florida winters are very mild. However, if you are not running the air conditioner then the humidity in your home is going to increase. (Air conditioners are also dehumidifiers). This essentially means that unlike in many places, indoor humidity levels may actually go up in the winter months.
If this is the case, then running a dehumidifier is a good idea for times when it is not warm enough to warrant AC, or if you’re trying to keep your cooling bill down. The worst days are when it is in the 60s and 70s but humidity is still high. On these days you may want to run a dehumidifier, although a fan can also help. Running both is often the best way to both reduce humidity and improve your overall comfort without resorting to AC.
If you are having consistent problems with high humidity, then you may want to look into whether your AC system is sufficient. Talking to American Air Cares, a leader in air conditioning services, and also Martin County and Palm City, can help you establish if it’s time to replace your air conditioner, whether you need a dehumidifier, and any other steps you can take to fix high indoor humidity. To find out more, contact American Air Cares today.
