As the cold and drab winter weather wears off and the warmth of spring arrives, so does humidity. High levels of moisture in the springtime air create humid conditions in your home. Humidity may lead to discomfort, damage to your home and belongings, and health problems if left to linger in the air. At Roland Black Heating & Cooling, we understand the importance of home comfort and are here to help you fight off humidity. Let’s start by understanding springtime humidity a little better.
Understanding Springtime Humidity
Humidity levels tend to rise in the spring months with the onset of warmer temperatures. Melting snow and increased rainfall add to the moisture levels in the air and increase humidity. Although winter may be dreadful with the dry air, leaving our skin cracked and static throughout the house, spring humidity takes the plunge in the opposite direction. A little bit of moisture in the air is good, but if humidity reaches too high a level, it can be a nuisance. When humidity levels get too high inside your home, it can create a mess for you and your property.
Perils of High Humidity Levels in Your House
Extreme humidity in your home may lead to numerous problems in the spring. It is essential to control the humidity level indoors to avoid these common issues. Remember, some moisture is beneficial, but too much can lead to damage.
Health and Well-Being
Mold and mildew thrive in moist environments. High humidity in your home causes increased moisture and provides a haven for these toxins to grow. Bacteria and viruses spread more easily in humid indoor areas as well. Having excess humidity in your home creates a health risk as mold, mildew, bacteria, and viruses create a variety of health problems.
If you have respiratory disease or illness such as asthma or COPD, it is vitally important to remove excess humidity from the air to improve breathing conditions. Additionally, those with compromised immune systems may benefit from a less-humid home to avoid bacteria and viruses from lingering in the air.
Discomfort
Humidity can create uncomfortable environments when it reaches high levels. Increased humidity makes the air feel warmer than it is, leading to you feeling hot more easily and sweating more, even in the air conditioning. Sleeping in a humid home may become troublesome as it is hard to sleep in hot environments. You might also have a more difficult time breathing as you sleep due to the humid air feeling heavier than dry air.
Damage to Property
Excess moisture from humidity can lead to many problems inside your house, including damage to the structure and your belongings. Wood can rot or decay when too much moisture is present, leading to structural instability. Materials may also expand with humidity, which could cause doors and windows to stick and floors to become uneven.
Wooden furniture is susceptible to rot and decay as well. Electronic items may stop working if too much moisture gets inside. Excess humidity in the house may cause foods to go bad much faster and could require alternative storage methods.
How Proper Ventilation Combats Humidity
Ventilation is the best way to remove humidity from your home. Proper ventilation lowers the indoor humidity level by bringing in fresh outdoor air and moving out the moist indoor air. Ventilation is crucial to protect your home, belongings, and health in the spring and summer months when humidity is at its highest.
How Can I Ensure Proper Ventilation?
You have several options to choose from when trying to ensure proper ventilation of your home during the humid spring months in Gastonia. Some of these options involve using things you may already have. Other options may require help from our professional technicians. Let’s learn more about how you can combat humidity through proper ventilation for a safer and more comfortable home.
Exhaust Fans
Exhaust fans are critical in areas that are prone to higher levels of moisture. Use exhaust fans in the kitchen when you cook and in the bathroom during showering to remove moisture from the air. Basements tend to be higher in moisture as well, though we sometimes forget the importance of ventilating this area. If you do not already have exhaust fans installed in these areas of the house, call us, and one of our expert technicians will get you fitted with a properly sized fan to help remove moisture and humidity.
Open Windows
One of the best parts of spring is the fresh, warm air. Opening windows and doors to let the fresh air in helps run off the stagnant winter feeling in your home. This fresh air also helps ventilate the house. As the fresh outdoor air moves in, it pushes around the air inside and helps move moisture and humidity from inside to outdoors.
Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier may be used in conjunction with other ventilation techniques to remove humidity and moisture from your indoor air. Dehumidifiers work by pulling in humid air and removing the moisture, releasing drier air back into the space. Small dehumidifiers are available that you can place in any room and simply plug in to an electrical outlet. You may also purchase a dehumidifier unit that connects to your furnace or heater. Our trusted technicians are highly experienced in installing these dehumidifiers to help you tackle the problem of humidity in your home.
Whole-House Ventilation Systems
Whole-house ventilation systems provide your home with an ideal balance of moisture and comfort. Remember, some moisture is better than none so long as it isn’t excessive. This system uses exhaust fans and ductwork to control the exchange of air, removing humid and stagnant indoor air and replacing it with fresh outdoor air. Count on our reliable technicians to install your whole-house ventilation system and spend less time worrying about the humidity in your home.
HVAC Maintenance
Regular preventative HVAC maintenance is key to keeping your entire system up and running efficiently. Your HVAC system will help keep humidity levels down and ward off unwanted moisture in your home during the warmer seasons. Call us for your annual HVAC maintenance, and one of our expert technicians will ensure your heating and cooling units are in top working condition for the best defense against humidity.
Springtime is a beautiful season full of fresh blooms, fresh air, and warmer temperatures. However, with these warmer temperatures comes an increase in humidity. At Roland Black Heating & Cooling, our professional HVAC technicians are ready to help you ward off humidity indoors. Home comfort is our primary goal, and we’re ready with a number of solutions. You can also count on us for all of your heating and cooling needs, including maintenance, repairs, and installation. We also offer duct cleaning and indoor air quality services, keeping your home at maximum efficiency and comfort.
If you are ready to give humidity the boot from your home in Gastonia this spring, call our expert HVAC technicians at Roland Black Heating & Cooling.
