Too Much Spring Humidity? The Benefits of a Dehumidifer

Here in the Coastal Bend, we experience high humidity levels year round. Warmer air can hold more moisture, so humidity problems tend to develop or worsen in the spring. If you’re experiencing an issue with too much indoor humidity this season, it’s a good time learn how a dehumidifier can help.

Why a Dehumidifier May Be Necessary

While your HVAC system removes some moisture from the air as it cools, an air conditioner or heat pump can become overwhelmed when humidity levels start to spike. Coping with humidity can increase the equipment’s energy consumption, and decrease its cooling capabilities, so your home feels too warm and sticky. If your HVAC isn’t able to adequately dehumidify your home, other problems can start to develop, like:

• Mold and mildew growth
• Thriving dust mite populations
• Worsening asthma, allergy and respiratory condition symptoms
• Wood furniture, floor and trim damage
• Musty odors
• Carpet damage

How Whole-House Dehumidifiers Work

If your cooling equipment isn’t coping well with humidity this spring, adding a dehumidifier to the HVAC system now can help you avoid discomfort and other issues during the coming cooling season. Here’s a look at how it functions:

• You select a humidity level on a centrally-located humidistat control, which signals the unit to automatically start and stop as needed.
• The air supply moving through the HVAC system passes over the dehumidifier’s cooling coil, which condenses out the excess moisture.
• As moisture is extracted, it’s expelled outdoors via the condensate drain line.
• Your now drier air gets sent out through your existing HVAC ductwork.

Benefits of Owning a Dehumidifier

When indoor humidity is kept under control, you’ll enjoy a more comfortable home with healthier air quality. Proper dehumidification can also protect your home’s interior finishes and your furniture/belongings from moisture-related damage. It can lower your HVAC energy consumption and help prolong the equipment’s service life too. And since your dehumidified air will feel cooler, you can raise your current thermostat setting by several degrees to save even more energy.

To learn about the benefits of installing a dehumidifier in your Corpus Christi-area home, contact us at CCAC.