ndk@aprilaire.com
Madison, Wis. (May 5, 2008) – A common summer outdoor complaint is: It's not the heat, it's the humidity. But what happens when that complaint is in reference to the air inside the home? Too much moisture in the hot summer air can literally turn a home in into a steam bath. And while air conditioning is part of the solution it typically can not handle the amount of humidity removal, especially in the south, needed to make the home comfortable and safe.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the ideal relative humidity range for the home is between 35 – 50 percent, at this range homeowners are comfortable, healthy and the home is protected.
Most people try to use their air conditioner to remove humidity, but according to experts homeowners should never lower the thermostat temperature in an attempt to control humidity in their home. Setting the thermostat temperature lower does two things that are counter to the goal of reducing the moisture content in your home.
- It actually increases the indoor relative humidity and more importantly it decreases the temperature of the materials in the walls, floors, and ceilings of your home, thereby significantly increasing the potential for moisture condensation on these elements of the home.
- Secondly, most homes have been built to be so energy efficient that a typical air conditioning unit will cycle on and off too quickly to eliminate excess moisture in the air.
"As a result, homeowners resort to overcooling the living space while attempting to remove moisture," said Mathew Gotto, product manager for Aprilaire. "This leads to uncomfortable air temperatures, high energy bills and excess wear on the cooling system."
So what is the answer? A central dehumidifier, like the one offered by Aprilaire, not only does it control humidity levels in the entire home but it also has built in ventilation that will dehumidify outdoor air before introducing it to the rest of the home. Attached to the heating and cooling system the Aprilaire Model 1750 Central Dehumidifier can remove up to 90 pints of water a day (equivalent to two 5 gallon water bottles).
Aprilaire (www.aprilaire.com)
Aprilaire has been a brand leader in the indoor air quality industry for over 60 years. The company designs, develops, manufactures and distributes whole-home indoor air quality products that provide comfort, health, energy efficiency, and the protection and preservation of the home. For more information on whole-home indoor air quality products, visit www.aprilaire.com.
Editor’s Notes
High humidity can be present:- During summer months
- Fall and spring months
- In areas located near waterfronts
- After continuous rains
- In rooms with plumbing running through them (kitchens and bathrooms)
- In undergrounds facilities (basements)
- In rooms with poor ventilation - especially homes built very tight in the last fifteen years
- Crawlspaces
Problems
- Home problems:
- Warping of wood floors, furniture and trim
- Chipped and peeling paint and wallpaper
- Wet stains on walls and ceilings
- Musty, foul smelling odors
- Health Problems –
- Growth of dust mites
- Products in the home off-gas at higher rates
- Growth of fungi and bacteria
- Growth of mold and mildew
- Discomfort
- Clammy feeling
- Trouble sleeping
Additional Tips for Reducing Excess Moisture in the Home:
- Clean and repair roof gutters regularly – use covers to keep leaves and sticks from building up in the gutters.
- Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers and stoves to the outside where possible.
- Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
- Use down spout extenders that carry water at least six feet away from the foundation.
- Seal unwanted air leaks, such as around holes for plumbing and wiring, this is where humid outside air sneaks into the home.
Indoor Environments
