In order to prolong the lifespan of your HVAC systems, maximize their performance, and keep the atmosphere of your home or business in perfect balance, you have to think about more than just temperature. Humidity levels can greatly affect your HVAC systems and overall health in ways that you probably don’t even know. So, below, we’ve put together a compilation of information to help you learn the effect of humidity on HVAC performance to ensure you’re doing everything you can to save money and stay comfortable!
A/C Performance
The entire purpose of your air conditioning system is to adequately cool any desired space by removing a precise amount of heat and moisture from the air to ensure ideal comfort. Therefore, if your air conditioning isn’t working properly, or to its true potential, it makes sense that your comfort would be affected – and the hotter and more humid it is, the harder your system has to work, which means you’re spending more money and your system is more likely to break down faster. Some signs that may indicate your home is suffering from excess humidity are:
- The air feeling thicker or heavier;
- Musty or damp smells in certain areas of your home;
- Foggy windows.
Fortunately, one of the fastest and most effective ways to resolve this problem is to simply dehumidify.
Dehumidify
In Michigan, average humidity levels throughout the rear range between 70% and 85%, which is well beyond the recommended 45% to 55%. That means it’s always a good idea to have a strategy for dealing with excess moisture, just in case. The simplest way to do this is to get a dehumidifier. The most powerful and efficient dehumidifiers can be installed and utilized in conjunction with your HVAC system with help from qualified professionals. Or, you can by as many stand-alone dehumidifiers as you need and control the settings manually. Which is right for you will depend, of course, on your budget, lifestyle, and specific home comfort needs.
Furnace Performance
On the flip side, during the winter humidity levels often drop so low that the air in your home can feel dry and colder than it actually is. In fact, it can cause serious:
- Dry/Itchy Skin;
- Dry Nasal Passages;
- Irritated Sinuses;
- Ocular Discomfort;
- Damage to certain fixtures, such as furniture and wood flooring in your home.
Plus, your furnace will have to work twice as hard to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, which will cost you a lot in both money and HVAC system performance. Fortunately, just like dehumidifying in the summer for too much moisture, the solution for too little moisture in the winter is to humidify your home!
Humidify
The same options for dehumidifiers are available for humidifiers. You can have one of our professionals come out and install a powerful, whole-house humidifier right alongside your furnace, or buy one or more stand-alone systems to suit your unique needs and preferences.
Just remember, for more information on optimizing your air quality, or managing your home’s humidity to ensure maximum comfort, you can always get in touch with our outstanding HVAC specialists at AFM Heating & Cooling! Call AFM Heating & Cooling at 734.464.6700 for a free consultation, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar, today.
