When you call Winnetka, Illinois, home, hot summer temperatures, and high humidity go hand in hand. Even if you think you’ve become used to the high temperatures and sticky air, you should understand how humidity can impact you, your home, and members of your household, and what you can do about it. From temperature concerns to indoor air quality issues, discover how humidity can affect your home and its occupants.
Your Air Conditioner Must Work Harder to Combat High Humidity
If your air conditioner is old or is struggling to keep up with your home’s cooling requirements, it may experience problems when humidity levels begin to rise. When your air conditioner has to work harder for an extended time period, it is more likely to need repairs.
To avoid having your air conditioner break down on a hot day, you’ll want to keep your system operating efficiently. We recommend scheduling regular air conditioning maintenance and regularly changing the system’s air filters. Additionally, replacing an old air conditioning system with a new one can help you cool your house more efficiently and control humidity.
Your Home Can Develop Indoor Air Quality Issues
High levels of humidity can cause indoor air quality issues that can negatively impact your health. If you have allergies or are sensitive to dust in the air, you’ll want to keep your home’s humidity under control.
If you believe your air conditioner isn’t able to handle high humidity on its own, talk with us about installing a whole-home dehumidifier. For example, you can consider a Performance Whole-Home Dehumidifier DEHXX. As an add-on HVAC component, a whole-home dehumidifier can do more than a portable dehumidifier can. A whole-home dehumidifier works with your home’s air conditioning system to maintain a comfortable level of indoor humidity. It also enables your home’s cooling system to operate more efficiently. With a whole-home dehumidifier working for you, you can manage humidity levels so that your family members stay healthy and comfortable.
Your Home Can Harbor Musty Odors
In places with high humidity levels in your home, such as basements and garages, the extra moisture in the air can promote mustiness and odors. Clothes and linens inside closets can also absorb musty odors. Mustiness can also trigger breathing difficulties among members of your household who are sensitive to it.
In areas such as basements, an electronic dehumidifier may prove helpful in removing extra moisture from the air. When purchasing a dehumidifier, make sure to choose one with an Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers seal of approval. Additionally, you should remove absorbent materials, such as rugs, carpets, and pillows, from areas prone to problems with chronic moisture, including bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms.
Humidity Can Lead to Condensation and Warped Wood
When indoor humidity levels rise above 50 percent, condensation occurs when excess moisture falls out of the air and onto cooler surfaces. Condensation develops on pipes, windows, and tile, providing an ideal environment for rust and biological growth to form. Excess humidity can also warp wood, causing damage to floors and furniture.
To correct problems with condensation on metal window frames, seal windows tightly, add weatherstripping, and install storm windows. Turn on bathroom exhaust fans each time you take a shower, bathe, or create any airborne moisture. Use your kitchen exhaust fan when you cook or create large quantities of steam, such as when you’re boiling water on your stove.
Don’t forget to use the exhaust vent in your laundry room. Make sure your clothes dryer vents directly outdoors so that all the moisture from your clothes will go outside instead of entering your indoor air and increasing indoor humidity levels.
Don’t let problems with humidity ruin your summer fun and relaxation in Winnetka. Call the HVAC professionals at Ireland Heating & Air Conditioning today at 847-388-0108. We can help you choose the correct indoor air quality products and services to keep humidity in check.
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