If you're like many homeowners, you may complain about too much humidity in the summer and too little humidity in the winter. While the weather plays a role in the humidity level in your home, it's not the only factor. If one of the rooms in your home feels particularly moist and damp no matter what season it is, you may need a dehumidification solution to tackle the problem once and for all.
Some moisture in the air is a good thing; it helps blunt respiratory illnesses. It also helps keep you warm, which is a good thing in the winter, when you can keep your thermostat set a bit lower and save on energy.
Too much moisture in the air is an invitation to trouble. It can encourage mold and mildew, which can aggravate allergies and trigger countless ailments. The feeling of dampness can also be downright uncomfortable.
If this scenario is hitting too close to home, you face two dehumidification solutions: a portable or whole-house dehumidifier. Both perform the same function but in different ways. They work by drawing moisture from the air to reduce humidity.
- Portable dehumidifiers are usually about waist-high, come on rollers and are best suited for small areas. Usually, the water accumulates in a bucket. You must empty the bucket periodically either by unloading the bucket manually or by using a hose attachment to drain the water directly into a sink. Dehumidifiers include a separate heating coil that warms the air before channeling it into a room.
- Whole-house dehumidifiers, as their name implies, often have the ability to dehumidify a 3,000-square-foot area. Connected directly to a home’s HVAC system, they obviously cost more than portable units, but they should run less often and therefore consume less energy in the long run. The water drains outside the home, requiring no manual drainage.
For more information on the importance of dehumidification or to discuss dehumidifier options for your home, call Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. We're proud to help homeowners throughout the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts.
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