Humidity significantly affects our perception of temperature. It also influences HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Cooling) and how smoothly it works. If you own a house and HVAC you should pay attention to this article very carefully to keep your property in great condition and not having to pay higher bills for electricity.
Unfortunately, humidity also can affect our health. You can struggle with dry eyes, dry skin or allergies, and molds in your house. Considering the fact that more than one half of our life we spend inside of the house we should focus on the humidity and keeping it under some limits all year round.
How Humidity Affects Working Process of Air Conditioning?
In general, air conditioning reduces the temperature in your house by removing heat and moisture from the air which is done through condensation. Unfortunately, if the humidity level for your unit is excessed the AC has to work harder. It means you can never reach the comfort temperature, however, the unit works on a maximum basis. And it also means you will have to pay higher bills for electricity.
You will quickly realize that efficiency and proper settings are the goals of being satisfied with your unit rather than its size. Lots of people believe that a bigger AC helps them to cool down the house and achieve an optimal temperature. The truth is that even a smaller unit can provide the full required service if it’s well set and maintained.
If you’re still not sure about the humidity inside a house and about the performance of your AC you should notice a few basic signs which give you a great overview that you’re struggling with this kind of issue. You could notice for example:
- Foggy windows because of condensation.
- Moist air is unpleasant to breathe.
- A musty odor in your home.
- Mold on walls or furniture.
- Also, your unit works harder consumes too much energy.
How To Help Air Conditioning And Get Rid Off The Excessive Humidity?
A basic rule for your home is to keep humidity between 54% and 60% for optimal comfort inside. You should keep track of the level of humidity and stay away from the issues described above. But what to do if you’re dealing with them and looking for a solution on how to help your air conditioning and get rid off the excessive humidity?
The best way how to do it is to install a dehumidifier. Yes, you will need to pay for another device. But the good news is that the dehumidifiers are usually installed on your HVAC system. The dehumidifier works on the principle of pulling any excess moisture. You should consult your problem with humidity with a professional.
The experienced experts are able to measure humidity in your house and suggest the best dehumidifier device for your home. However, you will have to pay for a consultation, device and probably installation you will save your money for the next time. There will be no other high bills for energy, damaged furniture regarding mold, etc.
It’s possible the expert suggests you buy a different type of dehumidifier which is usually stand-alone regarding parameters of your HVAC. These devices are very smart and you can track the humidity thanks to a numeric display or set the desired humidity level. The unit will switch off after achieving this level. The only negative thing is obligatory to empty a water collecting bucket when the display indicates it’s full.
Both devices help you to get rid off the unpleasant problems with foggy windows, moist air, and musty odor in your house.
How Humidity Affects Heating in Winter?
If you thought the summer months belong to the only part of the year you should pay attention to humidity level you were wrong. In winter, many of us deal with an unpleasant issue of low humidity in a house. The truth is that is a low level of humidity affects the perception of temperature and it makes us feel the air in rooms colder than usual.
To find a perfect balance between comfort and budget set your thermostat between 71 and 77 degrees of Fahrenheit (21 and 25 degrees of Celsius). It’s still necessary to measure the humidity level and keep it between 54% and 58% in winter. However, the humidity level in many households is under 50% during winter months.
A few signs indicate a problem of humidity level in winter:
- Very dry eyes with a permanent need of using eyes drops.
- Dry and itchy skin and possibly rush.
- You have trouble breathing at night as the air is too dry and irritates your nose and nasal passages.
How To Positively Improve Humidity in Winter?
The best way how to positively affect the humidity in winter months is by using a humidifier. This device adds lost moisture to the air until it’s achieved a comfort level. Also, this unit can be directly installed on your HVAC and you can comfortably control the humidity level along with the temperature. Keep in mind the humidity level should be above 54% in winter months.
If you stick with this basic rule the air in a room will be warmer and you will avoid any healthy troubles related to this topic. And of course, your bills won’t be so high and you can spend your money on better things which make you and your family happy.
If you’re not sure about the humidity at your house and about proper settings of your air conditioning and heating consult your issue with experts who can analyze the issue and suggest a solution tailored for you.