Muggy and Mold? Nope
Most people associate allergies with springtime, but allergies run throughout the year. The summer keeps things hot and moist, which can spell disaster for allergy and asthma sufferers. Hot and humid weather also causes air conditioners to struggle.
Humidity is where things go wrong. Healthy humidity levels in a home are between 30 and 50 percent for most of the U.S. In Birmingham, a realistic level with air conditioners is closer to 50 to 60 percent. When the levels go well above, your home becomes a breeding ground for all sorts of allergens.
Although air conditioners are designed to remove moisture from the air, they can’t remove all of it. They struggle when the humidity levels are high. Many people use air purifiers, ultraviolet light, and high-efficiency filters with their air conditioners.
However, when allergens take hold, it’s a nightmare to eliminate when the moisture in your home is too high. Let’s review how dehumidifiers work with air conditioners to control ideal humidity levels and reduce allergens in a home.
Allergy Symptoms Occur When Humidity is High
Humidity allows several different allergens to grow and thrive inside your home. Small and poorly ventilated areas, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms or small kitchens, are prime spots for moisture to accumulate. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, high humidity might be the problem:
- Sneezing
- Difficulty breathing or constant wheezing
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Stuffy nose
- Skin irritations and rashes.
Mold and Mildew are Eliminated
Damp areas in your home create the ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow and spread. Those who suffer from allergies or asthma experience similar symptoms when mold or mildew are present in a home.
A whole-home dehumidifier stops mold and mildew from growing in your home and air conditioner. By controlling the moisture indoors, dehumidifiers work smoothly with air conditioners to create the ideal humidity level to stop mold in its tracks!
Prevents Dust Mites from Spreading
Dust mites are nasty microscopic organisms that feed off dead skin cells. They live and grow in bedding, upholstery and mattresses. When homes are too moist and hot, dust mites reproduce rapidly.
They are a common indoor allergen trigger for asthma and allergy sufferers. Keeping your home’s humidity level below 50 – 60 percent will prevent dust mites from surviving and spreading throughout your home.
Controls Moisture in Every Corner
Portable dehumidifiers only alleviate the moisture in a set space, while whole-home dehumidifiers work with air conditioners to control humidity throughout entire homes.
As your air conditioner operates, the dehumidifier removes the excess moisture in the air before circulating it through the air ducts. By removing moisture from the air-conditioned air, you experience less damp spots throughout your home.
Increases Air Conditioners Efficiency
Air conditioners can remove some moisture when the humidity is low outside. However, installing a whole-home dehumidifier with your air conditioner increases its performance and efficiency throughout the summer.
Moisture can accumulate inside air conditioners when the humidity is high, which can interfere with the inner components and force units to work harder to deliver controlled temperatures throughout homes.
By reducing moisture inside your air conditioner, your unit will operate smoothly and experience less wear and tear when the heat is high outside.
Reduce moisture by pairing dehumidifiers with air conditioners, which will increase the performance and efficiency of cooling systems. You will feel healthier and experience less allergy and asthma symptoms when your home is dry.
Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating to learn more about our dehumidifiers or schedule installation today!
