New York suffers from high temperatures in the summertime, as well as stifling levels of humidity. Most homes use centralized air conditioners to regulate the temperature, but that doesn’t always address high humidity levels. A whole-house dehumidifier can remove excess moisture from the air, benefiting both the air conditioner itself and the household as a whole. Here’s a quick look at how dehumidifiers work, along with three specific advantages they provide.
Problems Caused by High Humidity
Human beings naturally stay cool by sweating, which evaporates off of our skins and lowers our body temperatures in the process. Whenever relative humidity levels rise about 50% or so, the amount of ambient moisture in the air prevents that process from occurring. As a result, the sweat stays on our skin, leading to a clammy, uncomfortable feeling. Furthermore, it prevents our bodies from cooling off, meaning the air feels hotter than it actually is. That can put a great deal of strain on the air conditioner, as it works harder and expends more energy to make up the difference. High humidity levels also foster the growth of mold and bacteria in the home and often lead to a stale, stagnant feeling in the air.
How Dehumidifiers Work
A whole-house dehumidifier works in a manner similar from an air conditioner, since lowering the temperature of the air is the best way to remove moisture from it. (As the air cools, the ambient moisture coalesces into liquid form and is removed from the air as droplets. That’s why dew appears on the ground in the cool early hours of the morning.) Indeed, air conditioners themselves act as dehumidifiers by default, though they aren’t set up to perform such services and often do so crudely at best. A whole-house dehumidifier doesn’t need to worry about venting hot air like air conditioners do, it has a much larger condensate collection and drain system, and it can be adjusted so a homeowner can set humidity levels to taste—something standard air conditioners lack the capacity to accomplish.
The Benefits of a Whole-House Dehumidifier
The benefits to installing a whole-house dehumidifier can include (but are not limited to) the following.
- By easing the strain on the air conditioning system, it helps lower monthly cooling bills. In addition, the air conditioner’s individual components will be subjected to far less wear and tear, helping the AC last longer before it requires repairs.
- By discouraging the growth of mold and bacteria, it can keep the household healthier. Incidents of illness will decline and the air in general will feel fresher and cleaner than without the dehumidifier.
- Dehumidifiers are easy to use and operate, especially when installed by trained professionals. They often work in conjunction with the air conditioner, which means that homeowners don’t need to take any additional steps or engage in any extra work to enjoy their benefits.
To install, repair and maintain a whole-house dehumidifier in the Rye, NY area, simply call the professionals at Yost & Campbell Heating, Cooling & Generators today!