Humid climates are the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. In addition, humid regions like East Texas are ideal places for other air pollutants to thrive. Unfortunately, this can create an unhealthy living environment for your household. This is especially true for babies, elderly people, and people who are immune compromised.
In addition to impacting the quality of your indoor air, high humidity in your home is also uncomfortable. It’s not enjoyable to sit in a home filled with heavy, humid, stagnant air.
Your home’s environment should be comfortable. At night or during the day, you should be able to relax in your space without worrying about the quality of your indoor air.
Your local AC and heating company takes care of all your home’s HVAC needs, from air conditioner and heating repairs to duct cleaning and system maintenance and ensures optimal performance with state-of-the-art products and diagnostic tools.
If you live in a place like East Texas with high humidity for a large portion of the year, and you’re concerned about your home’s indoor air quality, you should start by having your HVAC system inspected by a qualified local HVAC company such as ETR, short for East Texas Refrigeration, in Tyler, Texas.
After an inspection, your technician will advise you on how best to maintain your HVAC system, what repairs or replacements need to be made, and how to keep your home’s indoor air quality at its’ best.
How is the ventilation in your home?
Ventilating your home isn’t difficult and can happen in multiple ways. The most important thing is that there is ventilation – preferably from multiple sources.
Natural ventilation is a good place to start.
Natural ventilation comes from sources such as opening windows and using vents. Opening a vent or window is a simple way to encourage air circulation in your home, which helps lessen humidity. If you have an older home and are unsure whether it has vents, having it inspected by an HVAC professional is a good idea.
In addition to natural ventilation, you can also use mechanical ventilation systems such as ceiling and exhaust fans – especially in bathrooms and kitchens. Certain rooms of your home can become more humid, and mechanical ventilation can make a difference.
An important detail when it comes to air quality and using mechanical ventilation systems is to make sure they’re clean. It defeats the purpose of using your ceiling or exhaust fan to circulate air in your home to make the environment more comfortable and clean if the circulating air is full of allergens and pollutants such as dust mites and mold spores.
While cleaning these systems yourself and changing the air filters on your own might save you money in the short term, it’s also important to have them regularly inspected and cleaned by a professional AC company in Texas. Scheduling regular maintenance for your HVAC system means you catch any issues before they become big problems and that your system is clean.
However – these ventilation solutions are short-term, especially in the hot months. It’s nice to have your windows open, but during peak-heat summer months, having your windows open might not be possible.
Do you have an air purifier?
Air purifiers can be helpful for numerous reasons when it comes to improving indoor air quality in humid environments. Especially during the hottest days of the year, when opening windows isn’t an option. While people in East Texas might use their heaters or furnaces here and there in the cold months, generally they’ll be running their air conditioners. The hot and humid temperatures in East Texas mean your air conditioner will be running a lot – and an air purifier might be a good option for improving your indoor air quality.
There are multiple types of air purifiers, some more effective than others. Talk to your local heating and cooling expert to determine what system is best for your home.
How can your AC system help control humidity?
A properly sized and well-maintained air conditioning system should effectively manage humidity levels in your home. When an AC system correctly matches your home’s cooling needs, it will run in cycles that remove excess moisture from the air. If you’re experiencing persistent humidity problems, it could be a sign that your AC system is oversized, short-cycling, or not functioning optimally.
Oversized systems cool the home too quickly, shutting off before they can adequately dehumidify the air. If your AC system is too large for your home, you may need professional adjustments or even a system replacement to correct the issue.
Dehumidifiers are typically only necessary in specific situations, such as homes with spray foam insulation, where airtight construction can trap moisture inside. If your home has been properly insulated and your AC system is appropriately sized, a dehumidifier may not be needed.
A properly sized and maintained AC system should control humidity effectively without the need for a separate dehumidifier. If your home has persistent humidity issues, it could be a sign that your AC is oversized or not functioning correctly.
When it comes to your home, fewer things are more important than the quality of the air you breathe. Contact your local East Texas HVAC company today and get started.
