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Do Humidifiers Cause Moisture And Molds?

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Do humidifiers cause condensation and molds?

You see, a lot of people are quite hesitant to buy humidifiers because of the notion that these devices cause moisture and mold growth. Of course, nobody here wants to experience mold infestation. Similarly, you don’t want your house or building to be riddled with condensation.

Too much moisture in a given room can lead to numerous issues, such as mold growth, musty odor, and allergies. As much as possible, you don’t want any of that to happen. 

The job of a humidifier is to add moisture to an area. Given that this is the case, it is quite understandable why some people think that these humidifiers can cause problems rather than solutions. 

But fear not; this should not actually be the case. There are some things that you need to know here. 

How Excess Moisture Causes Mold Growth?

It’s no secret that moisture can cause mold growth. 

The most known way moisture can cause mold growth is through condensation. Condensation occurs when warm air meets a cool surface and releases moisture. This is a natural process that occurs both indoors and outdoors.

Usually, molds are not a problem for indoor spaces. The only exception is when there are mold spores that can get inside and manage to land on a damp or wet area. If your home has the right relative humidity, the presence of mold spores should not threaten you. But if there’s too much moisture, then it is a problem that you have to deal with. 

For as short as one day, mold spores can grow and manifest in the area. And that’s not a good thing. 

If you think that your indoor air is too damp, the device that you need is not a humidifier but a dehumidifier. The latter is specifically designed to bring down the relative humidity of wet spaces down to a more acceptable level. 

What Is Condensation Anyway?

Condensation is a process by which water vapor in the air turns into liquid water, and it can happen in a number of ways. It can occur when water vapor in the air comes into contact with cold surfaces, absorbing the heat from the surrounding area and turning it into liquid water.

Condensation can take place when warm air comes into contact with cold surfaces or when warm air is forced to move over a cold surface. 

For example, you can see condensation occur on the outside of a cold glass of water or when warm exhaled air touches a cold window. It is also possible for condensation to manifest when warm, humid air is cooled rapidly, for example, in a freezer.

Hence, if there’s sufficient or excess moisture in the air, condensation can occur. And the presence of water is what triggers mold growth.

So how do these things relate to humidifiers?

Do Humidifiers Cause Condensation And Molds?

The short answer to this question is a yes. And it is essential that we can elaborate on this matter. In this way, you will be able to use the humidifier properly without experiencing any condensation and other drawbacks. 

The function of a humidifier is to release moisture in the air to increase its humidity. According to experts, the safe range of indoor humidity should be 40% to 60%. Any higher than this, and you’ll experience a damp and wet feeling. 

When there’s too much moisture (high humidity), it manifests in the form of condensation. Usually, you can see it in the coldest spots of your home, such as the windows.

Interestingly, warm air carries more water. Therefore, you should not be surprised why it feels so damp during the summer season. Therefore, when the warm air gets in contact with any cold part or surface in your home, the air cools, and the water that it carries is “released” through condensation. 

And when there’s condensation, mold growth can also occur. 

Low temperatures mixed with excess humidity can also cause indoor condensation. You have to maintain the right humidity at various temperatures to prevent bad things from happening. 

You can refer to the table below for the recommended humidity level for given indoor/outdoor temperatures. 

 Outdoor Temperature (Fahrenheit) 
Indoor Temperature -15-10-505101520
70 degrees Fahrenheit 15%17%20%25%30%35%40%45%
75 degrees Fahrenheit 18%20%24%30%35%40%45%50%

How To Prevent Humidifiers From Causing Condensation And Mold Growth?

People buy humidifiers because they are suffering from dry air problems. Perhaps you have already considered buying one but suddenly had a second thought after realizing this matter. 

It is undeniable that humidifiers release moisture to make your environment more humid. However, if you don’t keep them in check, they can cause condensation, especially if the temperature outside goes below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. 

To prevent this from happening, you should always monitor your humidifier, especially its humidistat. You have to make sure that the humidistat is set on the ideal indoor humidity. In this way, the humidifier won’t produce too much mist in the air. Some humidifiers have automatic sensors that let them configure the moisture output based on the readings. 

For instance, if the sensors detect that your indoor humidity is below the appropriate level, they trigger the humidifier to run automatically. After reaching the desired humidity, the humidifier turns off automatically. 

Of course, you can also opt for units that offer manual humidistat. They enable you to have full control over the output of the humidifier. 

In fact, you can just maintain the relative humidity to 45%. In that way, you can deal with air dryness without experiencing condensation. 

Other Tips That Help Reduce Condensation

Condensation is a common problem in homes that lack good insulation and airtight construction. In the winter, it’s the extra moisture in the air from warm, moist breath, cooking, and bathing that creates a humid environment in your home. But, in the summer, it’s the outdoor humidity that finds its way into your home that causes condensation.

Below are some tips to help you reduce the condensation in your home, which, in turn, would prevent mold growth from happening:

  • Use the exhaust fans in your bathrooms, laundry, and kitchen
  • Vent clothes dryers and gas burners outside
  • Make sure that the ventilating louvers in your crawl spaces or attic are large and open
  • Utilize fireplace dampers so that moisture-filled air would escape
  • Open the entry points of your house for a few minutes every day

In Summary

While it is true that humidifiers can cause condensation and mold growth, it is essential to note that you have all the means to prevent it. Most humidifiers are designed to operate smartly, thanks to their humidistats. But if the humidifier has no sensors, it is up to you to control its output or operational time. 

Using a hygrometer can help you monitor the relative humidity of your house or building. It is an inexpensive device, but it can aid you in ensuring that your home is properly humid. 

That’s it for now. If you have inquiries, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comment section below.

The Importance Of Controlling The Indoor Humidity Of Your Home

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Why is there a need to control the indoor humidity of your home or building?

Maybe some of you haven’t thought of this matter before. Humidity, after all, is among the least-mentioned issues that come into the mind of homeowners. However, you should not shrug it off. 

Humidity that is too low or too high is bad for your health. It also causes structural damages, which is something that you don’t want if you put a high value on your property. Managing humidity is crucial to ensure the conduciveness of your space and its overall structural integrity over time. 

What Is Humidity?

Humidity is a measure of how much water vapor is in the air. When air is fully saturated with water vapor, its relative humidity is 100%. 

Meanwhile, relative humidity is the measure of the amount of water in the air together with the maximum moisture present. The higher the temperature gets, the more water vapor air can contain. Oppositely, when the temperature is low, the carrying capacity of the air to carry moisture is low, too. Hence, you should not be surprised that warm regions have damp or wet air.

Humidity is an integral part of the Earth’s atmosphere; it is derived from the water vapor that lingers on the air. Water vapor occurs in the atmosphere through evaporation in major water bodies such as seas and lakes. 

You can remove humidity, as it is an existing component of the water cycle. As water evaporates, moisture in the air occurs. However, this moisture is then removed when condensation takes place. 

What Is The Healthy Indoor Humidity Level?

You wouldn’t want to keep your air too dry or too wet. Later on, we will discuss the effects of each of these situations. 

As a responsible homeowner, you would want your indoor space to be conducive to your comfort and health. It should be free from impurities and other sources of irritations. Of course, setting the proper humidity levels can help you in this aspect. 

Many have different suggestions when it comes to the healthy indoor humidity level. After all, people base their perception on their degree of comfort, and that’s not entirely wrong.

However, experts suggest that the humidity level of a home should only stay between 40% to 60%. Any lower or higher than this range and you will experience various humidity problems such as allergies and respiratory illnesses.

Fortunately, you can always protect yourself and your family from the potentially harmful effects of humidity by having a humidifier and dehumidifier. A humidifier adds moisture to the air; a humidifier reduces it. You can get either of these devices depending on your needs. 

Reasons Why You Need To Control Indoor Humidity

What Happens If The Indoor Humidity Is Too Low? 

Low humidity usually refers to the dryness of the air. It is a common occurrence during the cold season–where the temperature is quite low. Combined with the use of heating systems, it is entirely usual to experience arid air during winter. 

But just because it is normal doesn’t mean that you can just let it off the hook. Otherwise, you would experience the following things:

Dry Skin

Dry skin is the result of low humidity in the air, and the more intense the dry climate, the drier your skin will get. It’s actually the air, not the water in your skin, that keeps it from getting dry. The air’s relative humidity, which is the amount of moisture in the air compared to the maximum it can hold at a certain temperature, affects how much water your skin and hair can absorb from the air. When it is humid, it takes longer for the water that your skin puts out to evaporate, so it doesn’t evaporate as quickly as it would in low humidity.

Influenza

Flu transmits easily when the air is dry, according to several studies. Many are reluctant to believe this fact, but the link between low humidity and virus transmission is quite strong. To be on the safe side of things, you need to ensure that your indoor air is properly humid. You don’t want any virus to compromise the health of your family. 

Nose Bleeding

Low humidity can cause nose bleeding in some people. When the humidity drops, nostrils are subjected to dry air, which triggers the inflammatory response. Inflammation causes the capillaries in the nostrils to expand. This is harmless in itself, but when the air becomes too dry, those capillaries can expand too much and burst, causing nose bleeding.

Furniture Damage

If you have wooden furniture, low humidity is bad news for you. Wood is one of the most versatile and useful materials in the world. But even the most vigorous trees can be damaged by high or low humidity levels. You may not think humidity has much to do with wood, but actually, the opposite is true. All wood is made up of a matrix of wood cells, which contain cellulose. Cellulose is a strong substance, but it does need moisture to maintain its integrity. The absence of water vapor in the air reduces the rigidity of wood; over time, it would crack and get brittle. 

Stress

Many people are surprised to find that humidity levels can affect their mood: it turns out that low humidity levels are a common trigger for stress. The reason is that low humidity levels make the air feel drier than it actually is. Our body’s natural reaction to this is to signal a stress response to prepare us for an emergency. This is why some people feel very tense, anxious, or even panicked when they are in a dry climate.

What Happens If The Indoor Humidity Is Too High? 

Mold Growth

High humidity is a big concern for homeowners and building managers. When the relative humidity in the home is too high, mold growth can occur. It is estimated that high humidity is responsible for 20% of all mold complaints. Keep in mind that bacteria and molds proliferate quickly in highly humid environments. The rooms in your home with the highest humidity levels are the most likely candidates for mold growth. The highest humidity levels are usually found in the kitchen and bathroom, especially the bathroom, since it’s where we shower. 

Respiratory Illnesses

Asthma and respiratory illness are typically seasonal since they often occur during peak periods of pollen and mold growth. Still, they can also be triggered by various factors, including cigarette smoke, air pollution, and even high humidity. Surprisingly, all of these triggers can take advantage of the moist environment inside our homes, especially during humid summer months.

Increase In Dust Mites

An increased level of humidity in your home can cause the proliferation of dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic organisms that are normally found in the home. They feed on the flakes of dead skin that we all shed naturally as we go about our daily business. However, one should know that dust mites are always present in highly humid conditions, as they absorb water for their survival. Once you regulate your indoor humidity, these dust mites will no longer infest your home. 

Heat Exhaustion

When summer arrives, so are the hot, humid days. In fact, high levels of humidity can make it feel like it’s hotter than it really is, making the heat of the sun unbearable to many people. This is because the excess water in the air prevents the body from sweating, which is our internal mechanism of cooling. If the body can’t cool down, it is completely possible to suffer from heat-related conditions such as fainting and stroke. 

Ways To Control Indoor Humidity

There are a lot of things that you can do to ensure that your indoor humidity remains at safe levels. 

  • Of course, the first solution is purchasing a humidifier or dehumidifier. These devices can help you combat the inconsistencies in the relative humidity of your indoor space. They are a great addition to your home, especially if you or your family members are prone to respiratory illnesses, allergies, and other humidity-related health conditions. 
  • If you see that there is moisture gathering in any parts of your home, you should dry it right away. Afterward, determine the cause or origin of the condensation. 
  • Your windows and storm doors are efficient in reducing moisture in your space. For instance, upgrading them to double or triple-pane windows can provide insulation from the cold temperatures, preventing the cool and dry air from settling in. 
  • You may also want to open the blinds and drapes during winter. This would help warm your interior glass. It may cause a little bit of condensation, but the enhanced air circulation can compensate for that. 
  • You should work with your heating and cooling systems, too. Electric and gas furnaces curb excess humidity with the heat they release. Meanwhile, air conditioners reduce moisture because they make the air dry and cool. Using them properly can help address the fluctuating moisture levels in moisture. 
  • It is essential that you consider caulking the gaps and seams of your home. It doesn’t only prevent humid air from entering; it also makes your home energy efficient. 

Other simple but clever ways to control indoor moisture:

  • Always cover your pots while you are cooking
  • Interior doors should remain open for enhanced air circulation
  • Cover your aquariums if you have them

In Summary

The importance of controlling indoor humidity is essential for the health and welfare of your family. Being exposed to abnormal levels of humidity can bring multiple problems to your body and even to the structures of your home. 

Furthermore, you should consider buying a humidifier or dehumidifier to guarantee that you’ll be able to regulate the moisture levels of your living spaces whenever you need to. 

That’s it for now. If you have other inquiries, feel free to ask me in the comment section below.

How Many Dehumidifiers Do I Need: Is One Enough?

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How many dehumidifiers do I need? 

You see, a dehumidifier is a device that uses a refrigeration cycle to remove moisture from the air. It is used to prevent mold and mildew from growing in basements or crawl spaces, as well as to clean the air of moisture, which allows the user to breathe easier. You can find dehumidifiers in many homes today, as they are extremely useful in various situations.

For the purpose of efficiency, many people think that having many dehumidifiers is better than having just one. Of course, the notion seems understandable. But is it actually true?

Picking The Right Dehumidifier Size

In choosing a dehumidifier, you have to prioritize its size. You see, the bigger the dehumidifier, the more powerful its dehumidifying effects are. 

At this point, you’ll realize that having a single dehumidifier is alright as long as the latter has a large capacity. After all, these large dehumidifiers are necessary for broad and expansive floor spaces.

However, keep in mind that you don’t really need a large dehumidifier if you are just looking for a tool for spot dehumidification. For instance, you can prefer portable tabletop dehumidifiers for your bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. These small dehumidifiers are also great for apartments, inns, and travel purposes. 

A dehumidifier can perform well if it is fitted in an area that corresponds to its configuration. For example, if your living room has a floor size of 300 square meters, then you should get a dehumidifier that has the corresponding capacity. 

The table below is a reference to the ideal dehumidifier size for a particular area. 

Square Footage 300 square feet500 square feet800 square feet1,200 square feet 
Humidity Condition Dehumidifier Capacity (2020 Standard)
50% to 60% Slightly Damp 20 pints25-30 pints35-40 pints50 pints
60% to 70%Moderately Damp 20 pints25-30 pints35-40 pints50 pints
70% to 80%Very Damp 25 pints30 pints45 pints55 pints
80% to 100%Wet 25-30 pints35-40 pints45-50 pints60 pints

The CFM Factor

A dehumidifier is one of the most useful appliances you can have in your home. In addition to preventing mold and mildew, they also reduce humidity levels, which can help prevent damage to your home and its contents. 

However, with so many different dehumidifiers on the market, it can be difficult to know which one to choose for your needs. There are many different factors to consider when shopping for a dehumidifier, including the size of the room you want to humidify, the level of noise you are willing to put up with, and the cubic feet per minute. 

The cubic feet per minute is a technical specification that tells the volume of air that a device can move. For dehumidifiers, the CFM rating is exceptionally essential because moisture can only be removed from the air by moving it through the device’s fan. 

In short, if your device has a low CFM rating, you cannot expect that it can deal with your excess humidity problems. 

The Ideal Humidity In Your Space

The CFM rating is derived from the humidity levels in your area and the latter’s square footage. Specifically, we need to get the cubic footage because it helps us identify the volume of air per cubic footage that the dehumidifier should process.

Knowing the humidity level in your area will determine the number of cycles that a dehumidifier must perform in an hour to ensure that excess moisture is eliminated. This process is called air changes per hour or ACH. Hence, if the relative humidity is high, the more cycles the dehumidifier must perform. 

Pro Tip:

You cannot just guess the humidity level in your area. For accuracy purposes, you need to invest in a hygrometer, which is not that expensive. A hygrometer is an instrument that is used to measure the humidity level in the room. It is typically used in homes, warehouses, and other places that require specific levels of humidity. This device can be made from different materials, including plastic, metal, and glass.

Meanwhile, check the table below for the ideal air changes per hour for every humidity level.

Humidity Condition Ideal Air Changes Per Hour
50% to 60% Slightly Damp 3 ACH
60% to 70%Moderately Damp 4 ACH
70% to 80%Very Damp 5 ACH
80% to 100%Wet 6 ACH

Calculating The CFM

Here is a simple example that you can use to calculate the appropriate CFM rating of a dehumidifier in your space:

  • 75% Relative Humidity = 4 air changes per hour (ACH)
  • Square footage x ceiling height = 1,200 square feet x 8 feet
  • 9,600 square feet x 4 ACH / 60 minutes = 640 CFM

Again, you only need one dehumidifier if it has the right capability. You don’t need to invest in multiple units since it will just add to your power bill. A single but properly configured dehumidifier can fix your humidity problems. 

In a nutshell, you simply need to measure the floor size of the room you want to dehumidify and get a dehumidifier that has the right specifications. 

How Many Dehumidifiers Do I Need In My House?

What if you want to dehumidify your entire house? Do you need to purchase multiple dehumidifiers? 

The thing is, you can have one dehumidifier for whole-house applications if the device features the correct specs. 

However, keep in mind that the performance or efficiency of a dehumidifier can be affected by the divisions and number of floors that your home has. Even if you have a powerful dehumidifier, you cannot expect that it can work in your basement if you place it in your living room. 

Of course, most of us fall into this predicament. It is not a failure of architecture but rather a structural dynamics that you need to overcome to ensure proper dehumidification. 

To overcome this ordeal, you simply need to purchase a dehumidifier per each of the areas that you want to dehumidify. For example, you can put one dehumidifier in your basement, one in your kitchen, and another in your garage.

For multiple rooms, you have an option to allocate one dehumidifier for each of them. Alternatively, you can still use one dehumidifier and open the doors of the rooms. In this way, the device can accommodate them without physical blockages or restrictions. 

Having many dehumidifiers may offer the ideal dehumidification solution for you. But at the same time, keep in mind that the more appliances you have, the higher your power bills become. 

  • For condos, hotel rooms, and apartments – A single dehumidifier can take care of the humidity problems in these areas. Just make sure that you have the right dehumidifier size.
  • For bungalows – Bungalows vary in size and design. Depending on these factors, you can either get one or buy several units. 

Conclusion

Having a dehumidifier in your home is not necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of home improvements. However, it is an investment that can help improve the comfort in your space. A dehumidifier can help with a number of things, such as drying out the air in your home, enhancing your air quality, and preventing mold growth. 

Having the right dehumidifier can help you overcome humidity issues. At the same time, it enables you to cut costs in maintaining your home’s livability and conduciveness. After all, one dehumidifier can be enough. 

I hope that you find this post useful. For other related inquiries, ask me in the comment section below.

What Is Humidity And Why You Need To Care About It?

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What is humidity? Why is this particular concept something that you need to care about?

Honestly, humidity is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but most people don’t really know what it means. However, you should at least understand its fundamentals, especially if you care about your health and your house or property’s structural integrity.

Allow me to explain this concept more thoroughly below.

What Is Humidity? 

One should know that you don’t need to become a science geek to understand what humidity is. Well, I am not saying that being interested in science is a lame thing; in fact, it is the opposite. Instead, what I am trying to point here is that you don’t need to have a profound scientific background before you can grasp this term. 

Again, let me emphasize that many are quite oblivious about humidity as a concept. After all, it’s a measurement of the amount of water vapor in the air, and to most people, water vapor is invisible. But it’s an important measurement, one that can tell you a lot about the current weather and even what’s going to happen in your city over the next few days.

Specifically, humidity is the existence of water vapor in the air. Hence, you can say that when the humidity is high, there’s a lot of water vapor on it. When the humidity is low, its water vapor content is low, too.

Aside from humidity, you have to understand relative humidity, as well. Relative humidity is derived from humidity, but it holds a more specific meaning. Technically, The relative humidity of air is a measure of how “damp” it feels. It is also a term used to describe the amount of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at a certain temperature. The maximum amount of water vapor that the air can hold at a certain temperature is called saturation. (The relative humidity of air is the ratio of actual vapor pressure to saturation vapor pressure. In other words, it is the fraction of water vapor in the air.) 

The thing that your weather reporter is reporting during the morning is relative humidity and not just generic humidity.

Where Does Humidity Come From?

Humidity is not an abnormal phenomenon. It occurs naturally in the atmosphere since water vapor is naturally existing, too. 

Again, humidity exists because of water vapor. And at this point, we have to know where water vapor comes from. 

Water vapor gets in the atmosphere via evaporation, specifically from different water bodies such as oceans, rivers, and lakes. 

Furthermore, water vapor has to be considered as an essential aspect of the water cycle. Every time evaporation occurs, water vapor is generated; it is only removed by condensation. 

If the temperature is high, it means the air can absorb more water vapor. Hence, in areas where the climate is warm, humidity is high. If the climate is cold, the air appears to be dry, which suggests that the percentage of water vapor is small. 

For instance, at 86 degrees Fahrenheit, saturated air may contain 1 ounce of water per cubic meter. But when the temperature drops to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the air may only contain 0.1 ounces of water per cubic meter. 

This particular nuance is the very reason why it is called relative humidity. 

What Causes Humidity In Houses?

Obviously, there’s no seas or lakes in your house. However, this doesn’t mean that humidity is no longer an applicable phenomenon in your humble abode.

In fact, it is an issue that many people have been trying to deal with for many years already. While it is true that humidity is a naturally occurring phenomenon, this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have any harsh effects on your health and properties. 

However, let me clarify that humidity gets bad if it gets too high or too low. Later, I will discuss the ideal humidity range where you can breathe the air comfortably. In the meantime, let me elaborate on the common causes of humidity.

Numerous factors can influence the humidity levels in your home. The actual design of your house and the materials that are used in its construction can cause changes in the humidity levels. The existence of insulations and retarders may become a factor, too. 

Needless to say, the climate and the current temperature in your area have a significant impact on the humidity of your house. You can say that the average home humidity in Florida is higher than in Minnesota or Alaska. 

Also, you need to take into account the HVAC systems in your home. For example, if your house is equipped with an extremely large AC unit, it will not help absorb the excess moisture in your space. You see, the coils in these air conditioners act as dehumidifiers. If they can run long enough, they will be able to reduce room humidity to proper levels. But it will never happen with large AC units, as they can cool your area fast. Hence, it will be able to run for extended periods, which is essential to guarantee that it can absorb the moisture in the air. 

What’s The Ideal Humidity For Homes? How To Measure It?

The ideal humidity for homes is generally around 40% to 60%, with an optimal comfort range of 30% to 50%. I suggest that you stay on the 45% to 65% to ensure that you are experiencing the most suitable air possible. 

However, you should mind your comfort levels, too. You see, each of us has our own standards of “comfortable.” I can be comfortable at 50% relative humidity, and you can only feel such a thing if the humidity reaches 40%. That’s completely alright, though. The only thing that you need to do is to make the proper adjustments. 

Also, always consider your health, as well as the well-being of your family. Allergy sufferers require the air to be a little bit dry. In this way, molds, fungi, and other allergy triggers will not be able to persist. 

Use a hygrometer to ascertain the humidity in your space. It is a device that can provide accurate humidity readings in your home.

What Happens If The Humidity Is Too Low?

When humidity levels are too low, a home can become very dry and uncomfortable. Not only does this make people feel stuffy and irritable, but it can also cause health problems. You may start to experience problems breathing, your skin will become drier, and you may even get nosebleeds! 

Low humidity can also impact your body temperature. It can make you feel cold, even if the thermostat in your house is cranked to the highest setting. And since the humidity is pretty high, it is easy for bacteria and viruses to thrive. 

Furthermore, low humidity is a common cause of structural damages. It can make furnishings, and wood floors warp, shrink, and crack. It can also cause wallpapers to peel or loosen. Behind the damaged wallpaper, molds can grow quickly. 

What Happens If The Humidity Is Too High?

Humidity is high if the climate is hot. Hence, it is pretty common for excess moisture to take place during the summer. However, you may still suffer from humidity in any part of the year. 

Areas with high humidity may suffer from various symptoms. It can be seen in the unusual condensation of the windows. The presence of stains and wet patches in the ceilings and walls. Furthermore, extremely damp air can generate a musty odor. It can cause your bathroom to be moldy. Keep in mind that high levels of humidity are the primary cause of mildew and mold growth in buildings, which can cause a variety of health concerns such as allergies and asthma. 

Combining high humidity with high temperatures can cause troublesome problems, such as heat stroke. It can also compromise the structural integrity of your home. It can contribute to the quick deterioration of materials, which would result in pest infestation.

How To Control Humidity In Your Home?

At this point, it is essential that you can control your indoor humidity. Basically, you need to achieve the ideal or comfortable range for you and your family. 

To do this, one must invest in either humidifiers or dehumidifiers–depending on your needs. In fact, you can get both of these devices at the same time. 

On a cold, dry winter day, what could be better than stepping into a room that’s warm and cozy with the humidity level set just right? That’s what a humidifier is for. But how does it work?  Essentially, a humidifier helps to make the air in your home or office more bearable by adding moisture to it. It’s a good idea to run a humidifier on dry days, especially in the winter, to help keep your family and pets comfortable and safe, and prevent health complications.

Meanwhile, a dehumidifier is a device that removes moisture from the air to improve comfort in a room or building. Simply put, it keeps the air in your home from feeling stuffy and uncomfortable. It is an excellent choice for people who suffer from allergies, asthma, or breathing problems. Plus, it provides protection against rust, mold, and other moisture-related damage.

Conclusion

It is vital that you are aware of the role of humidity in the overall comfort and structure of your home. Once the moisture is set right, you will be able to avoid health complications and structural problems in your space. I recommend that you shouldn’t ignore the effects of unregulated humidity. Address the matter right away!

I hope that you find this guide useful. For other inquiries, ask me in the comment section below.

Does A Dehumidifier Help With Cooling?

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Does a dehumidifier help with cooling?

You have to admit that dehumidifiers are one of the best inventions of the century. (Even though they are not a new invention, they are still amazing). 

Dehumidifiers’ main function is to remove moisture from the air. They do this by using either the desiccant or refrigerant methods. Both of these methods work by drawing moisture from the air and then heating it, so the moisture is released as water. Most of the time, this water is collected and drained and can be reused for other things.

Essentially, dehumidifiers are designed to deal with high levels of humidity. After all, the latter causes unwanted effects such as mold growth, structural damages, and other health issues. 

However, it is already a common notion that these dehumidifiers can also cool a particular area–similar to what air conditioners do. But is there truth to this matter?

Dehumidifiers vs. Air Conditioners

To know the answer to this curious question, we have to understand first if an air conditioner is similar to a dehumidifier. Or if the latter can be used as an alternative for traditional AC systems. 

Interestingly enough, air conditioners and dehumidifiers are both appliances used to keep a home cool in the summer. But do you know the difference between these two appliances? 

Air conditioners dehumidify the air to cool the temperature of a given space. But instead of warming the air, they are cooling it. Cool air has weaker water carrying capacity than warm air, making it not prone to moisture accumulation. Unlike dehumidifiers, air conditioners have a partial external setup; the end of its body is placed outside. This design allows the air conditioner to take warm air and pass it to the coils.

As the air is passing the condenser coil, its warmth is ejected outside. The resulting output is cool air that circulates around your room or space. 

Dehumidifiers offer the same mechanism as air conditioners. They take the air inside the room and dry it. In this way, the moisture contained in the air will be converted into water. Similar to air conditioners, dehumidifiers release cool air. However, instead of cooling, dehumidifiers dry the air so that it would be comfortable and free from excess humidity. 

Does A Dehumidifier Help With Cooling?

Based on the explanation above, dehumidifiers are capable of cooling effects. It may not actually cool an area the way an air conditioner does, but it does help in reducing the temperature. 

Keep in mind that warm air is humid. Air is composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases, as well as tiny dust and water droplets (humidity). When air is warm, it can hold more moisture. But warm air is less dense than cool air, so it rises. As it rises, the water condenses to form small droplets of water. This is the reason that the air is humid. As the air cools, it becomes denser and falls to the ground, which is why you feel colder when you move from a hot room to a cooler space.

Also, as you have noticed, the air during summer or any hot days is moist to wet. Temperature plays a factor in expanding the air’s capacity to hold water vapor. 

Every time the temperature is high, it is often difficult to feel dry. You get sweaty, but it doesn’t dry off because of the existing humidity in your environment. It is impossible for your sweat to evaporate quickly. Oppositely, when you enter a room that is fully air-conditioned,  you’ll notice that it is difficult for you to sweat. 

In short, when you dehumidify a room, things feel cooler. Dehumidifiers are often used together with air conditioners to amplify the coolness of a given space without making things odorous and musty. It is easy to experience the best of both worlds if they are operating side by side. 

What Is Considered Highly Humid?

Humidity is a measurement of the amount of water vapor contained in the air. It is usually expressed as a percentage and can be calculated by using a hygrometer. When the air contains more water vapor than is needed to saturate the air, it is called high humidity.

High humidity is considered a problem because the air becomes very uncomfortable and has a tendency to make people feel hot and irritable. When the air is saturated with water vapor, the air is said to be at 100% humidity. 

However, highly humid air starts at around 65%. At this point, you will feel the symptoms of humidity, which include swampiness and discomforts. Meanwhile, humidity is said to be “correct” if it is in the range of 40% to 60%. 

How To Know If You Need A Dehumidifier?

You can immediately tell if you have humidity problems if the following symptoms are present in your home or building:

  • Clammy air – If the air is humid, you will notice that your ambiance feels moist. This makes the air feel less comfortable, especially to the skin. You will sense stickiness. 
  • Fogging windows – When your windows become foggy, it could be a sign that there is too much humidity in the air. Water vapor cannot escape outside, so they tend to get trapped in the surface of glasses and windows. 
  • Musty smell – Musty odors are caused by mold and mildew buildup due to excess moisture in the air. This can be caused by high humidity, which may come from leaks, poor ventilation, or the use of humidifiers. 
  • Mold growth – Did you know that mold growth on walls and floors is often a sign of high humidity? If you’ve noticed a small area of mold on a wall or floor, it’s possible that the humidity levels in your home are too high. While it’s true that you can get mold on your walls even if the humidity levels are too low, the condition is most common in homes with higher levels of humidity.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, it is true that dehumidifiers can provide cooling effects to a particular area. After all, it operates the same way as air conditioners, albeit with some distinct nuances. 

Do you have other questions related to humidifiers and dehumidifiers? Ask me in the comment section below!