There is likely not a single person in Florida that isn’t familiar with the humidity that we deal with in our climate. “Dry heat” is just about as foreign as a term as “blizzard” around our community. However, many homeowners don’t take the necessary steps to eliminate excess moisture from their home, perhaps assuming that their air conditioning system sufficiently does this on its own.
This is actually a common misconception, as your air conditioner does have the ability to draw some moisture from the air. But when you live somewhere that the humidity levels are consistently above 50%–comfortable humidity levels are between 30-50%–something more is needed: a dehumidifier.
Understanding the Impact of High Humidity
Why is high humidity such a big concern? There are two reasons for this. The higher the moisture is in the air, the higher the evaporation point is for most liquids—including your sweat. This means that your body isn’t able to sufficiently cool off as well as it usually is without that extra humidity. Combating humidity is about more than just comfort though.
Excess moisture encourages the growth of mold and mildew in dark, cool areas of your home, such as inside walls and under your sinks. Mold spores can create a variety of health issues, some of which can be life-threatening if given the right circumstances. This is perhaps the most important reason that you should control your indoor humidity with a whole-house dehumidifier.
Why Air Conditioners are Insufficient
As mentioned above, your cooling system does have the capability of removing moisture from the air, but this is an accidental, and inadequate, function. Your AC system cools the air past the dew point, which result in a decrease in humidity.
But air conditioners are not specifically designed to operate as a dehumidifier, making it inappropriate for such a job. The only way to truly address the impact of high humidity is with the installation of a dehumidifier.
Feeling a little too stuffy in your home? Don’t delay; call Southeast Air & Heat today for a dehumidifier installation in Orlando, FL!
