Get a Handle on Home Humidity
Aug 25, 2020
Around this time last year, we wrote about surprising ways to reduce humidity in your home. We hope some of those tips proved helpful. With the recent summer rain, heat, and excess moisture, we thought now would be an ideal time to revisit the issue to help you get a handle on home humidity.
Humidity levels
Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air around you. During the summer, humidity levels in your home should measure between 30-50 percent. Humidity levels that are too high or too low can lead to issues with your comfort, health, and home.
Too much humidity prevents the body from regulating its internal temperature, making you and your family feel sticky and uncomfortable. Excess moisture also promotes mold, fungus, and dust mites, which can wreak havoc on allergies and make you sick. Over time, dampness within the home can warp floorboards or furniture and cause wood to rot, resulting in costly repairs.
Conversely, too little humidity causes skin to feel itchy and can dry out the body’s mucous membranes, leading to sore throats, coughing, and nosebleeds. Dryness affects your home, too, when door frames or other features or furnishings made from wood begin to crack, shrink, or bend.
Poor humidity? Here’s how to tell
Establishing a comfortable home environment relies on finding an appropriate balance of air moisture. How do you know if your home humidity levels are out of whack? Look for indicators such as:
- Condensation. Water beads are visible on the inside of the windows.
- Constant sweating. You experience persistent perspiration, even after taking a cool shower.
- Musty smells. You may not be able to see mold and mildew, but you can smell it.
- Difficulty sleeping. Excess moisture makes the body work harder to cool itself, which can be a challenge when you’re trying to fall or stay asleep.
- Water spots. Watch for stains on the walls, ceilings, or basement floor, especially after or during a rain shower.
- Trouble breathing. High humidity can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms.
Regulating home humidity
Summer is sticking around for a bit longer, so make sure you’re enjoying the tail end of the season by staying cool and dry at home. Here are some reminders for keeping home humidity levels low.
- Use exhaust and ventilation fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Leave those fans on for a short while after you’ve finished cooking or showering to ventilate humid air.
- Take advantage of your air conditioner. Your A/C unit brings in cooler air while expelling warmer, humid air.
- Take shorter, cooler showers. The less hot water you use, the less steam and humidity build up in the air.
- Check your gutters. Keep them free from debris to avoid water buildup and indoor leaks. Also, be sure the downspout is positioned away from your home.
- Consider investing in a dehumidifier. These portable appliances or whole home systems can help remove moisture from the air.
The experts at WestAIR Heating & Cooling are here to discuss your home humidity concerns and needs. Our technicians can explain how our high-efficiency air conditioners or air quality accessories can help you stay cool and achieve optimum indoor air quality throughout the summer. Contact us today to schedule service.
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WestAIR Heating & Cooling has been installing and servicing HVAC systems in Minnesota for more than 35 years, and we’ve seen what our harsh winters and frigid temperatures can do to heating and ventilation appliances. Without proper maintenance, you’re likely to experience costly breakdowns and high energy bills as your system struggles to keep up. So, with winter once again on its way, we’ve put together a list of helpful tips to prepare your HVAC system for the long, cold months ahead. Check out the following HVAC winterization tips to help you improve your home’s energy efficiency, avoid system emergencies, and save you money. DIY HVAC Winterization Check and Replace Air Filters: We recommend changing or cleaning your air filters once a month, but doing so before winter is especially important. Air filters can become clogged with dirt and particles over time, making your system work harder and raising your energy bills in the process. These clogs also reduce the indoor air quality in your home. WestAIR provides high-quality filters for a variety of humidifiers and air cleaners. Just make sure to turn your HVAC system off before changing filters. Clean Vents and Registers: Just like your air filters, vents and registers are prone to collecting dust and debris that can inhibit proper air circulation. Fortunately, they’re easy to clean with a vacuum cleaner or even a soft-bristled brush for more careful dust removal. Once again, turn your HVAC system off before cleaning vents. Optimize Your Thermostat: A properly programmed thermostat can go a long way toward lowering energy costs and maintaining a comfortable temperature all winter. Make sure the batteries are charged and the unit is functioning normally. We also recommend installing a smart thermostat , which allows you to program different temperatures for day and night as well as for different rooms in your home. Schedule Professional Maintenance Service Although you can take steps to winterize your HVAC system on your own, a professional inspection can identify and address further issues before they become major problems. You may notice some of these issues yourself and be unsure of how to deal with them; others, you may not notice at all. Rest assured that our technicians will make sure every component of your HVAC system is ready for winter. Here’s a checklist of items our team can take care of for you: Clean Furnace and Check Operation/Filter: We will remove soot, dust, and debris from your furnace and ensure proper functioning throughout the appliance. Clean Air Conditioner and Check Operation: We will remove dirt and dust from the indoor air handler, improving efficiency and airflow. Clean Outdoor Condenser and Check Refrigerant Charge: We will remove dirt, leaves, and other debris from the condenser coils and check refrigerant levels. Clean Air Exchange Filters and Core: We will remove dust and other contaminants and clean the core to prevent mold and bacteria growth. Check Radiant In-Floor Heating System : We will check the pressure of your in-floor heating system and make sure it is operating at maximum efficiency. Check Humidifier Filter and Drain Line: We can replace your filter if needed to prevent dry air and ensure comfortable humidity levels during the cold months ahead. Check Unit Heater Operation: We will ensure all components of your heater are functioning properly, including ignition, burner operation, and heat output. Clean Fireplace and Check Operation: We can remove soot and debris from your fireplace and make sure it’s safe to use, so you can stay warm by the fire all winter. Call WestAIR Today for More HVAC Winterization Tips Winter can wreak havoc on the unprepared HVAC system. But hopefully these HVAC winterization tips will come in handy, helping you prepare for the cold while saving money. To avoid emergency breakdowns and high energy costs, call our professional technicians for a full inspection and service.
On average, Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors . That means maintaining good indoor air quality , or IAQ, is absolutely critical for staying in good health. Poor IAQ can cause and exacerbate a variety of health issues, including headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Fortunately, modern technology has introduced several new ways to improve indoor air quality. With the addition of a couple of easy strategies that anyone can do, you’ll be breathing clean air in your home all year round. Install an Air Exchanger Modern homes are well-sealed and insulated to preserve temperature and energy efficiency, but this does have a downside. A tightly sealed home keeps fresh outdoor air out, while trapping stale indoor air inside. An air exchanger remedies this by delivering clean, filtered outdoor air to your home while exhausting indoor air, contaminants, and excess humidity. At WestAIR , we proudly install the Lifebreath® Ventilation System, which provides a continuous flow of air to prevent stagnation, reduce humidity, and expel gaseous pollutants. Install an Air Cleaner Indoor air tends to be much more polluted than outdoor air, often containing copious amounts of dust, pollen, spores, and other particles. An air cleaner traps dust and other irritating particles, allowing the newly cleaned air to circulate throughout your home. We provide and install AprilAire ® non-electronic and electronic air cleaners, both of which trap particles effectively and efficiently. In fact, AprilAire air cleaners trap 98 percent of visible airborne dust and other large particles while permanently capturing at least 97 percent of airborne pollen-sized particles. Install a Whole House Humidifier While not as much of an issue during the summer, our long cold seasons in Minnesota drastically reduce the moisture in the air in our homes. This dry air causes many adverse health effects, including nose, throat, and skin discomfort. Dry air can even damage wood framing and harm expensive electronics. A humidifier forces dry air through its water panel evaporator, adding moisture to your air and keeping your home at proper humidity levels. At WestAIR, we provide and install AprilAire and Honeywell® humidifiers, both of which have proven to be effective solutions to dry air. Install a UV Light Air Purifier This type of purifier produces UV rays that break through an organism’s cell wall to sufficiently damage or destroy its DNA, rendering it unable to reproduce. This is particularly effective at removing airborne pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, mold, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We are proud to be an authorized installer of BreatheCLEAN™ UV air purification systems , which install easily into your existing ductwork. The BreatheCLEAN features two 36-watt bulbs that destroy nearly all airborne disease-causing organisms. Take Advantage of Natural Ventilation One of the easiest ways to improve indoor air quality is to open up your home to outdoor air. Keep your windows and doors open when the weather is nice to allow air to cycle through. Try to do this for at least 10 minutes every day, even in the winter. During the summer, you can open your windows but keep the blinds partially closed to benefit from the fresh air without increasing heat gain from the sun. Reduce Pollutants at Their Sources The most direct way to combat indoor air pollution is by tackling them at their sources. This can be as simple as vacuuming and dusting regularly and refraining from smoking inside your home. If your home has insulation containing asbestos, seal off that area. The American Lung Association also recommends using safer cleaning alternatives when cleaning your home , such as soap and water, vinegar, and baking soda. Protect Your Home with WestAIR Stale indoor air poses many risks to your health. But with these six ways to improve indoor air quality, your home will be full of clean, fresh air. The professionals at WestAir Heating & Cooling have the experience and know-how to recommend and install the best air cleaning devices in your home so that you can have peace of mind. Call us at 763.498.8071 or visit our contact page to make an appointment.
WestAIR Heating & Cooling has been helping Minnesotans keep their homes cool, clean, and energy-efficient for over 35 years. With rising summer temperatures already impacting the Twin Cities, we want to provide some tips for staying comfortable while keeping your air conditioning bill low all season long. Keep reading to explore how to save money on air conditioning. Be Smart with Your Thermostat Your thermostat has the most direct effect on your energy costs this summer, and it’s also the most controllable factor in the cooling equation. Be strategic when adjusting its settings! Find the warmest temperature that you are comfortable with during the day and avoid setting it any lower than that. The Department of Energy recommends 78°F, but this depends on your personal preference. You may want to invest in a programmable or smart thermostat to make temperature management even easier. These devices allow you to set schedules for automatic adjustments throughout the day. For instance, you can program higher temperatures for when you’re sleeping or away at work for the day. A smart thermostat lets you fine-tune the temperature for specific rooms and even provides remote access from your smartphone. Optimize Your Air Conditioner Taking good care of your A/C unit is also key to keeping your home energy- and cost-efficient. Follow the manufacturer’s routine maintenance directions and make sure your entire system is checked twice a year by a qualified technician . A representative from WestAIR can identify problems early and keep your A/C unit running at peak performance. Remember to check your air filters regularly, too. Clogged filters restrict airflow, forcing your system to work harder and use more energy. To avoid this, clean permanent filters with mild detergent every 30 to 60 days, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Replaceable 1″ filters should also be changed every 30 to 60 days, while air cleaner filters can be swapped out annually. Contact WestAIR if you require assistance checking or cleaning your filters. Keep the Heat Out The more you can prevent heat from entering your home, the less your A/C will have to work to keep it cool. You have several easy and practical ways to do this. First, close the shades and curtains on sunny windows during the day. You could also invest in blackout curtains in bedrooms, which block significant amounts of heat and light. But don’t be afraid to draw back those curtains and open a window or two when it cools off in the evening. Just remember to close them again when outdoor temperatures rise. You also want to make sure your home is sealed off and insulated, so that the cool air from your A/C won’t escape and hot air from outside won’t seep in. Check for gaps around windows and doors and repair them with weather stripping. Older windows may even have small cracks, meaning you might want to replace them entirely. Stay Cool with WestAIR Outdoor temperatures may be rising, but you don’t have to break the bank to stay comfortable. At WestAIR Heating & Cooling , we are dedicated to making sure you have access to clean air and comfortable temperatures all year long. Contact us to schedule a professional tune-up or discuss installing a new, high-efficiency air conditioner for your home.