You probably know that humidity levels in your home can cause numerous problems depending on the season, such as mold growth, musty odors, worsened symptoms of allergies, asthma and other respiratory conditions, household damage from excessively dry or damp air, and static electricity. You may not realize it, but uncontrolled indoor humidity can also have an effect on your monthly energy bills.
The Energy Bill – Humidity Connection
Here in our area of Ohio, humidity levels fluctuate with the seasons. In the winter, your indoor air can be too dry, while in the summer, it becomes too hot and sticky. The level of moisture in your indoor air also impacts how much energy it takes to heat or cool your home:
- Low winter humidity levels can make it difficult to keep your home comfortably warm. Turning up the thermostat frequently to maintain comfort consumes extra energy and your monthly bills will increase.
- When high summer humidity levels make your home uncomfortably hot and you’re lowering the thermostat’s temperature setting repeatedly, your cooling equipment has to use more energy, which can send your bills skyrocketing.
Controlling Humidity is the Key to Lower Energy Bills
Keeping your indoor humidity levels under control throughout the year can make heating and cooling your home more efficient and help lower your energy consumption and costs. A knowledgeable HVAC pro is your best source of advice on the ideal solutions for your home, which might include:
- Upgrading your cooling equipment. If your existing air conditioner is too large or too small for your home, it may not be able to remove humidity efficiently or effectively.
- Adding a whole-house humidifier. Installing a humidifier on your heating system can improve dry conditions by putting a controlled amount of moisture into the warm air that’s distributed throughout your home.
- Installing a whole-house dehumidifier. With a dehumidifier unit on your cooling system, excess moisture is removed more efficiently, and this reduces your A/C’s workload and energy consumption.
For personalized advice on how to control indoor humidity in your Elyria or Oberlin home, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area