How Indoor Humidity Extremes Can Affect Your Health
There are a number of problems that can result from high humidity and poor indoor air quality in the home. Foremost among these is decreased personal comfort. Whenever it’s hot and humid, particularly throughout the months of summer, people tend to be uncomfortable. They usually start sweating and feeling stuffy.
The good news, however, is that unlike the humidity and poor outdoor air quality that you feel outside of your home, humidity indoors can indeed be controlled. Many homeowners seem to find this to be quite challenging. However, there are many ways to improve indoor air quality. Point Bay Fuel can help you understand how to stay nice and cool even when it is scorching hot outdoors. Your air conditioner is the first place to start. It acts as a dehumidifier. Jackson NJ residents can easily attain perfect indoor comfort levels with the help of their AC systems.
This article covers some of the different ways in which excessive humidity can impact your health. It also discusses strategies for reducing your indoor humidity levels.
How Humid Environments Affect Your Health
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Environments that are excessively humid…
can serve as the perfect breeding grounds for things like mold, mildew, and bacteria. Mildew and mold are two growths that will proliferate in environments that are warm and humid. These are spores that can cause or exacerbate respiratory issues and dermatitis. They are some of the main indoor air pollution sources. They can pose a special risk for people with compromised immunity.
In spaces that are humid and hot, dust mites can proliferate as well. These mites are the number one agitator of allergies and asthma. People tend to get sick more frequently in humid environments. Illnesses are also more prolonged. This is all the more true when compared to homes that can moderate indoor humidity.
What’s The Best Level Of Humidity For My Home?
To ensure that your HVAC and air conditioning systems are functioning properly and at optimal levels, you want to maintain the right level of indoor humidity in your home. The best level of moisture for your house will make it feel cooler during the hottest months of summer. It will also make it feel warmer during the coolest months of winter.
Whenever indoor humidity levels are excessively high or low…
the living environment will become less comfortable as well. This remains true no matter what season you happen to be in. The good news is that the air conditioning system in your home is able to extract excess moisture from the indoor air. This is one of the ways that it provides indoor air comfort.
You should have a humidity level in your home that falls between 45 percent and 55 percent. The best thing for temperature dispersion and for mold and mildew prevention is to fall between these percentages. Indoor humidity levels that are high tend to register at about 80 percent or greater. Whenever it gets much higher than this, it can be very uncomfortable and very easy to notice.
How To Manage Humidity Indoors
One way to better manage indoor humidity and improve indoor air quality throughout the hot weather is by discontinuing the use of a humidifier. Instead, start using your air conditioning system to extract extra moisture from the indoor air. You can also use exhaust fans as well. This will help bring the indoor temperature down a bit while simultaneously moderating the humidity. When winter hits, you should:
- Set up a room humidifier and use it
- Put more plants in the room
- Put a small basin or bucket of water close to the heating system
How Does My Air Conditioner Extract Excess Humidity?
Many modern air conditioners are able to regulate humidity. They have something called an evaporator coil at their interior. The liquid is condensed out of the indoor air. This removes moisture from the atmosphere around it. This moisture is collected in the evaporator coil. The moisture, then, drains down a special line. This line is found at the exterior of the air conditioning unit.
You should also think about your air conditioner. Window AC units are only able to moderate indoor humidity within relatively small spaces. For instance, these designs can work well in a home office or in a bedroom. They will not, however, prove sufficient conditioned air for the living room, the master bedroom, or an entire house.
A good central air conditioning system needs to have enough power to effectively cool the air that exists around it. If you have an air conditioner that’s much too large, it short cycles. This means that the compressor won’t be able to run for a sufficient amount of time for cooling the entire home.
Conversely, a central air conditioning system doesn’t have sufficient power when it is grossly undersized. It won’t be able to keep up with the outgoing and incoming air. Consequently, this undermines its primary function, which is to cool the air down.
Lastly, a poorly maintained AC will not remove humidity as effectively. Be sure to schedule regular maintenance on your HVAC system.
Call Point Bay Fuel For Superior Heating & Cooling Solutions
Point Bay Fuel is the premier service provider for heating and cooling in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey. All of our technicians hold a certification, so we can assure you that we can offer only the best services, from installations and tune-ups to repairs and replacements. We also offer the most competitive services that put your comfort, budget, and cooling needs first. If you want to know more about how you can enjoy more efficient and eco-friendly cooling, give Point Bay Fuel a call today.
Contact us now by calling (732) 349-5059 to speak to one of our home comfort specialists!