The San Diego area can be beautiful in the summertime, but high temperatures and humidity can make the warmer months trying at times. Fans and air conditioners can help take the edge off, but on some days, that sticky feeling can be tough to beat. To effectively deal with summer humidity, consider a whole-house dehumidifier.
You’ve probably heard the expression, “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity,” and in many ways this is true. High summer humidity makes your home feel even hotter than it actually is. Air conditioners may remove a small amount of moisture from the air as a result of their cooling process, but they seldom do enough on humid days.
Benefits of dehumidification
A whole-house dehumidifier works with your air conditioner to keep the humidity in your house a comfortable level, ideally somewhere between 30 and 50 percent. This makes your home feel cooler, allowing you to set your thermostat a little higher and run your A/C less without sacrificing comfort. On some days, you may not even need your air conditioner at all.
High summer humidity creates an oppressive, sticky feeling that makes it difficult to sleep or even relax, but it can also cause a number of problems in addition to the obvious physical discomfort. Too much moisture in your home can lead to condensation, warped wood, mold growth and general water damage. It can also aggravate allergy symptoms. A dehumidifier helps eliminate these problems.
Portable vs. whole-house systems
Many homeowners opt for portable and tabletop-style dehumidifiers which, while relatively inexpensive, have a few disadvantages compared to whole-house systems. Portable dehumidifiers tend to require more maintenance, and they can shut down altogether if you forget to empty the water. Whole-house dehumidifiers require less maintenance, and they operate away from your living space.
The other major disadvantage of a portable dehumidifier is its limited range. It would take several of them to effectively control humidity throughout your home. A single whole-house dehumidifier works with your central HVAC to dehumidify your entire house.
To learn more about dealing with summer humidity, contact Sherlock Plumbing, Heating & Air. We happily service North County and the San Diego area.
