Do You Need a Humidifier or Dehumidifier? Check Out This Helpful Advice from Your Local HVAC Service in Central Kansas

November 15, 2016 10:44 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

For a healthy indoor environment, you want relative humidity to be between 35 percent and 50 percent. Many people don’t think to check their home’s levels, but it’s important that you do, because when weather conditions are extreme one way or another—that is, when there’s either too much moisture or too much dry heat in the air—you are likely to experience all sorts of issues that can take a toll on your health. Additionally, if you suffer from allergies or have a weak immune system, your symptoms may enhance.

So, which device do you need in your home: a humidifier or a dehumidifier? Here’s some good information brought to you by your local HVAC service in Central Kansas:

  • You will want to consider using a humidifier when you feel that the indoor air is too dry and cold, such as during the wintertime when humidity is low. The case for a dehumidifier is typically valid if you live in a year-round or seasonal warm and/or humid climate.
  • As mentioned earlier, a healthy living environment means the relative humidity must be in the range of 35 percent to 50 percent. For that reason, you should use a humidifier in areas where the humidity is less than 35 percent, and a dehumidifier where humidity levels are greater than 50 percent.
  • The purpose of a humidifier is to increase the moisture content in a space, while a dehumidifier reduces moisture. If you are unsure which unit you need, contact an HVAC service in Central Kansas for assistance.
  • Each device plays different roles for your health. For example, a humidifier is acceptable to add moisture into the air to alleviate dry, cracked or flaky skin and to help moisten dried out nasal passages. A dehumidifier is recommended to help reduce allergies because it rids the air of mold spores, dust, bacteria, mites and other unhealthy particles.

Signs you need a humidifier

Physical signs include chapped lips, dry eyes and skin and a sore and scratchy throat. Also, if your allergy or respiratory symptoms lessen when you are in an area with more moisture, this can be a sign that your home is too dry. You might even notice problems with wood furniture. Wood pieces will begin to dry out and crack; chair and table joints may loosen.

Signs you need a dehumidifier

Besides experiencing constant or worsening allergy symptoms, you are likely to notice obvious signs throughout your home. First, in highly humid areas, you are able to smell mold or mildew lingering in the air, followed by visible black mold or orange-ish mildew spots growing on the walls. There might also be water stains on your ceilings and walls (assuming the stains are not associated with plumbing problems). It’s also important to know that smaller or enclosed spaces with minimal ventilation are prone to high humidity.

For quality HVAC service in Central Kansas for your home or commercial building, contact the team at K V K Inc. today. We are available to help with all your air conditioning and heating installation and repair needs!

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