When you’re having problems with indoor humidity at home, chances are a whole-home dehumidifier has been suggested as a possible solution. It sounds interesting, but being a canny consumer, you’d like to know more about how whole-home dehumidifiers work.
The article below is jam-packed with valuable information about whole-house dehumidification: how it functions, why you need it and how you’ll benefit. Plus, you’ll learn the advantages of this type of dehumidifier over portable units.
How Do Whole-Home Dehumidifiers Function?
Contrary to a whole-home humidifier, a whole-house dehumidifier reduces excess humidity inside your home. An appliance about as large as a toaster oven is installed as an add-on to your HVAC system, which uses ductwork, just like your central air conditioner and forced air furnace.
When humidity inside your home rises above a preset level (usually 50 percent), your whole-home dehumidifier is triggered to extract moisture from the air. It works similarly to your central air conditioning system, pulling in humid air through the return duct and directing refrigerant through a coil. Humidity from the air in your rooms will condense on the coil, after which the condensed liquid is automatically routed either into a collection pan or directly down a basement floor drain.
What Is A Healthy Indoor Humidity Percentage?
The recommended range for healthy, comfortable indoor relative humidity is 30-50 percent. Generally, indoor humidity will measure towards the lower end of the scale in winter and the upper end in summer.
In addition to current weather conditions, moisture levels in your home can be increased by your daily activities (a few examples: taking long steamy showers, cooking, hanging clothes to dry indoors, even breathing!!) and the number of people in your household.
Why Do You Need a Whole-House Dehumidifier?
Protect your health and comfort. One of the greatest benefits of a whole-house dehumidifier is the positive effect on your health and comfort. High relative humidity inside the house may aggravate asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems. You’ll breathe easier and feel less sweaty and sticky with a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air.
Protect your home. A whole-house dehumidifier controls high indoor humidity levels, which would otherwise threaten your home with potential dangers such as moulds and mildew, rot, warping of floorboards and furniture, or dust mites and other pests.
Dehumidify more efficiently. As you probably know, your AC includes a dehumidification function. However, an inexpensive-to-run whole-home dehumidifier lets you significantly reduce air conditioning use, reducing your energy bills. In addition, it allows you to dehumidify even during winter or the spring and fall “shoulder seasons,” when it’s too cool to run the air conditioner, but you still need relief from the humidity.
Compensate for an oversized AC. An air conditioner that is too large tends to cool your house to the thermostat setting fast — but then cycles off before it dehumidifies appropriately, leaving you feeling clammy and uncomfortable. A whole-house dehumidifier will help compensate for this.
Whole-Home vs. Portable Dehumidifiers
Cost. Although a whole-home dehumidifier comes with a higher purchase price, it is much cheaper to run than a portable. The result? You are likely to recoup the initial cost in just one year. PS. A whole-home unit will also last longer, so you won’t have to budget for a replacement so quickly.
Effectiveness. Whole-house dehumidifiers reduce indoor humidity throughout the whole home, not just a few rooms as a portable appliance does.
Appearance and noise level. Tucked away in the basement with your furnace and AC air handler, a whole-house humidifier is much less obtrusive than the portable type. It’s quieter, too!
Maintenance. Whole-house humidifiers score better at maintenance as well. Portable models must be emptied by hand every day or so, a recipe for hassle and mess. With your whole home appliance, you’ll need much less maintenance. Just have a qualified technician inspect the coil and change or clean the filter once a year as part of your regular HVAC system tuneup.
Count On Husky For A Comfortable Home
If you have an indoor humidity problem in the GTA, take heart! There is a reliable solution. Ask Husky to install a whole-home dehumidifier for you professionally. We care about your home comfort — and we’re here to help!