A home that suffers from low or high humidity can have problems with the HVAC system. Here is what you need to know about the effects of humidity, as well as how you are able to get those humidity levels back to normal.
Low Humidity Problems
It is common for home humidity levels to be low throughout the cold months of winter, which is due to the air having less moisture in it. Turning on the furnace will make humidity problems worse for your home because a furnace is known to remove moisture from the air. You will experience more problems with having dry skin, dry noses, and sinus problems.
Low humidity can also make you feel colder during the winter, which results in turning the thermostat up and using more energy. The end result is that the furnace works longer than necessary to keep you feeling warm, which can reduce the overall lifespan of the furnace over time.
High Humidity Problems
You'll see the exact opposite problem in the summer. Humidity tends to be high within your home due to added moisture found within the air. You'll also feel hotter due to moisture, which causes the air conditioner to run longer to achieve the cooling effect you desire. It leads to the same problem of increased wear and tear that leads to premature replacement or repair.
The Solution
You can fix this problem by having a humidifier and dehumidifier installed for your home. It is possible to have a local HVAC technician install a system that works with your entire HVAC system. It will naturally add moisture to the air in the winter, and remove it during the summer. This will lead to improved comfort and furnace efficiency, and hopefully cause less problems that require repairs.
The alternative solution is to place individual humidifiers or dehumidifiers throughout your home. These units will go in individual rooms that need the help the most and will treat the air appropriately. Dehumidifiers will remove moisture from the air, which will collect in a large tank that needs to be drained of water when it becomes full. The opposite is true of a humidifier, which requires a water source that slowly empties as water is added to the air.
You may find that it is more efficient and convenient to install a humidifier and dehumidifier that works with your entire central HVAC system. Reach out to an HVAC contractor who offers heating maintenance services for more info on having them installed.
Share18 April 2018
Every summer, I agonized over energy bills that would shoot into the stratosphere as a result of my efforts to keep cool in the heat. Every time I turned the temperature down, my bills increased. This summer, I decided to take some of the control over my energy bill back. I installed reflective film on my windows that reduced the amount of light and heat coming into the house. I started serving more cold meals or asking my husband to barbecue outside, so that my air conditioner didn't have to compete with the hot stove, and I started doing laundry at night to reduce appliance heat in the house at peak times. I also had ceiling fans installed. So far, the difference in my bill has been tremendous. This blog is a way for me to explore other ways to reduce energy drain during the summer months.