Nothing
causes discomfort in your home quite like humidity, and there is a fine line
between too much or too little. Like we mentioned in our previous blog, when the humidity levels in your home aren’t
regulated, it can lead to a number of problems such as, mold, musty odors, allergies,
upper respiratory illness, poor indoor air quality, pest infestation, and damage
to your property.
High levels
of humidity are especially problematic in the basement or crawl space, since 50 percent of the air you breathe upstairs in your home comes from
the lower level. This is known as “The Stack Effect.” The
Stack Effect during the summer pushes warmer air into your house, forcing the
cooler air outside. The opposite is true in the winter. This effect is also
carrying odors, moisture and mold from the basement to the upper living areas.
Dehumidification
is the solution to preventing these issues by maintaining the humidity in your basement at the proper level. Dust mites and mold thrive in environments with
relative humidity that is above 50 percent. A dehumidifier would allow you to maintain
relative humidity at a much healthier percentage. But, not all dehumidifiers
are created equal. The standard dehumidifiers found at most home improvement
stores are not as effective as they should be. Below are four key factors that
make a professional grade dehumidifier, like the one pictured, the better investment for your home and
your health.
1. Conditions
The cooler
temperatures in your basements and crawl spaces create unique humidity control
challenges for homeowners. Most residential dehumidifiers found in stores are
measured in pints of water removed per day at standard conditions of 80 degrees
Fahrenheit and 60 percent relative humidity. Most basements and crawl spaces
are cooler than 80 degrees, which means the removal capacity is significantly
less. A professional grade unit is designed specifically for the cooler crawl
space or basement environment.
2. Space and capacity
Under their
standard conditions above, most residential units have the capacity to remove
20 to 65 pints of water per day and only cover a limited amount of space. A
professional grade dehumidifier has a much larger capacity of up to 135 pints
per day and can cover areas as large as 5,000 square feet.
3. Air quality
A standard
unit will provide dehumidification only.
Professional dehumidifiers will also provide powerful air filtration.
4. Energy efficiency
Professional
grade dehumidifiers are much more energy efficient than standard units. They
are constructed with more efficient refrigeration coils, compressors, and fans
to help them use less energy when removing moisture.
If you don’t
currently have a way to regulate the humidity in your home, now is the time,
especially with the warmer weather we are experiencing this month. A professional grade dehumidifier is
the key to creating a comfortable, healthy living space for you and your
family.
On September 16, 56 golfers came out to Bent Tree Golf Club in Sunbury, to show their support for Ohio Animal Health Foundation at their Eighth annual Fore Animals Classic fundraiser.
