During steamy summer months, your A/C cools your home and helps remove some moisture from the air—but it can only do so much before the humidity becomes overpowering and leaves you feeling uncomfortable. In addition to feeling warm and sticky even when the air is running, here are a few more signs you may need a room or whole-home dehumidifier:
- Moldy spots are a sign of high humidity—when adequate ventilation is not available, moisture collects and leads to mold growth, which can be dangerous to your health. This happens most often in damp areas, like bathrooms, storage areas, basements, and garages. Dehumidifiers decrease the excess moisture to prevent mold growth.
- Musty odors are common in basements and garages, whenever too much moisture allows mold and mildew to thrive. If you notice an odor, locate the source and use a single-room dehumidifier to help lower the humidity.
- Condensation is another indicator of high humidity levels. When it’s warm outside and cool inside because you’re running your A/C, you may notice fogging or beads of water on your windows. Raising your thermostat setting a couple of degrees and adding a dehumidifier to the room helps reduce condensation.
- Rotting wood—especially on window frames and sills—is one of the most common signs of excess moisture. This occurs when wood absorbs excess moisture, and when condensation continually builds up on your window and pools on the wood. This can permanently damage windows, so it’s important to install a dehumidifier as soon as you notice condensation.
- Water damage on walls and flooring should be addressed immediately to make sure it’s not a leaking pipe. If it’s truly due to the collection of excess moisture, a dehumidifier can help prevent more damage from occurring, but you should contact a professional, like those at Seider, to properly assess the issue.
If you think you may need a dehumidifier, but aren’t sure, our Carrier® technicians can measure your humidity level and help you decide. Installing a dehumidifier where it isn’t needed is inefficient and can cause problems, too—so let our experts help you stay comfortable.