Indoor humidity that is too high or too low is typically accompanied by several more problems affecting comfort, home efficiency, property, and the health of household members. Unlike dust and allergens than can be captured with an air filter, controlling humidity levels in your home requires a different approach. Read on to learn the telltale signs of a home humidity problem and the steps you can take to remedy the issue.
Your Humidity’s Too High
On average, high indoor humidity problems persist during the hot and sticky cooling months. Following are telltale signs of high indoor humidity:
- You see mold spots on walls, ceilings, and belongings.
- Musty odors permeate from the air vents.
- You haven’t scheduled professional HVAC maintenance in the past year.
- Paint and/or wallpaper is bubbling or peeling.
- Indoor air feels sticky.
- Doors and windows stick when opening.
- You notice that the allergy and asthma sufferers in your household are having a higher number of attacks.
Your Humidity’s Too Low
Cooler air can’t hold as much moisture as warmer air, which is why the winter months feel dry. When humidity is too low in your home, you may experience one or more of the following signs:
- Skin, nose, and throat may feel dry, sore, and itchy.
- The number of static-electricity shocks substantially increases.
- There may be a higher frequency of sickness in your home (i.e., cold and flu season) because dry air provides a sustainable environment for viruses.
Your Humidity’s Just Right!
The most effective method for controlling a home-humidity problem is with fresh-air ventilation and increasing or decreasing humidity levels with mechanical systems.
- Energy-recovery ventilators (ERVs) are balanced ventilation systems. ERVs preheat and precool fresh air using a heat-exchange core to transfer energy with the exhaust air stream.
- Whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers attach to the supply ducts. Moisture is added (humidifier) or removed (dehumidifier) from the conditioned air supply.
If you aren’t sure if you have a home-humidity problem in your Elyria or Oberlin area home, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. Our expert technicians will thoroughly evaluate your home and provide proactive and lasting solutions.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area