Living down south means dealing with high heat and humidity for the majority of the year.
A central air conditioner is pretty much a necessity. With temperatures climbing into the mid nineties, it’s such a relief to step inside a nice, cool home. The air conditioner allows us to keep our windows shut tight against security risks, noise pollution, bugs, pollen and exhaust fumes. We can simply make an adjustment to the thermostat and enjoy the ideal temperature. The air conditioner helps us to sleep better at night and feel more productive during the day. However, an air conditioner isn’t designed to combat excessive moisture. During the warmer weather, there’s typically a lot of moisture in the air, creating that sticky, clammy feeling. High humidity makes the air feel even warmer, leading to thermostat adjustments and more expensive cooling bills. If the air conditioner needs to work longer and compete with a tougher workload, it’s more likely to malfunction or quit prematurely. Warm, damp conditions are the ideal habitat for mold, mildew, bacteria, dust mites and insects such as centipedes. There’s a worry over severe indoor air quality problems and health risks. Headache, sore throat, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, sneezing and coughing can all be blamed on hot, humid conditions. There’s also the concern over potential damage to home furnishings. The moisture can cause wood to swell and warp, compromising the integrity of hardwood floors, musical instruments, molding and all sorts of things. The solution is the installation of a whole-home dehumidifier. The dehumidifier works with the air conditioner, pulling moisture from the air and giving the cooling system a break.