Humidity is what makes a nice summer day seem oppressive. The excess moisture in the air weighs you down and makes everything feel hotter. Experiencing humidity outside is pretty common, but your home should be a place where you can escape from it. A dehumidifier works by reducing the humidity by pulling moisture from the air. The installation of a whole house dehumidifier can help if you’re experiencing moisture issues in multiple rooms in your home.
If you have a few small, single-room dehumidifiers already to address excessively humid areas of your home, upgrading to a whole house dehumidifier could address your moisture issues on a larger scale. We’ve gathered a list of common signs that your home is suffering from excessive humidity and when a whole house dehumidifier could be the solution.
Signs Your House Needs a Whole Home Dehumidifier
It is fairly common to experience an excess of moisture in your home during the spring and fall when it rains frequently. It’s also not uncommon to only have one or two rooms suffer from moisture issues. This should not be ignored, but maybe solved with a single-room dehumidifier.
When the whole house feels humid and sticky, then it’s time to consider a whole house dehumidifier as your air conditioner isn’t providing adequate humidity control. The indoor air quality experts at Rusk Heating & Cooling list the common signs that your home is suffering from high humidity.
It’s Hard to Get Comfortable
Homes with high humidity tend to feel damp, sticky, and uncomfortable. You may notice you have an especially hard time sleeping. Humidity is caused by dampness, and if your home isn’t removing the moisture from the air properly, then it’s keeping it contained and making your home humid. Humidity can also cause rising energy costs. If you keep turning up the air conditioning to cool down to no avail, you may be surprised to see high energy bills at the end of the month.
Moisture Condensation on the Inside of Your Windows
It’s normal to see moisture condensation on the outside of your windows on a humid day, but if you notice moisture on the inside of your windows, that is the biggest sign there’s too much moisture in your home.
Damp Basement
When it rains, walk around your house to see if the water table is high. If you notice long-term standing water near your house, check your basement for water stains. Water seeping into your basement could be the source of the damp feeling in your home. It’s also a good idea to investigate why your basement collects water. It could be from inadequate concrete, or maybe additional sealing is needed.
Poor Ventilation in Bathrooms and Kitchens
Kitchens and bathrooms are rooms that tend to have no windows and lots of water. The mirror in your bathroom fogs up from the moisture from your shower and limited ventilation. If you don’t have an exhaust fan installed in either of these rooms, a whole house dehumidifier might make up for the lack of ventilation.
Mold Growing
If you see mold growing, this is your biggest red flag that you need a whole house dehumidifier. Mold can spread spores and toxins that can cause other adverse health effects if not treated quickly. They can also trigger allergy or asthma symptoms. If you notice mold growth on the ceilings, address it right away and then investigate the source.
[Disclaimer: Rusk hereby disclaims any liability or responsibility for remediating, treating or removing mold or other fungi or contaminants in connection with the performance of the obligations set forth in a proposal.]
Musty Smells or Odors
Musty smells and odors are usually signs that mold is around. Mold loves to grow in damp and dark places. Basements and closets often suffer from mold growth. If you can smell the mold, but can’t see it, you might have a bigger problem. Layers of mold in closets, garages, attics, basements, and crawl spaces can be a nightmare. You will need to find where and how the moisture is coming in. A whole-house dehumidifier can help remove excess humidity from places you can’t access easily.
Have Rusk Heating & Cooling Install a Whole House Dehumidifier Today
High humidity inside your home could mean you have worse problems, like mold. It’s best to call the comfort professionals at Rusk Heating & Cooling to help install a whole house dehumidifier to address excessive indoor humidity. For all of your HVAC system or indoor air quality needs, contact Rusk today.