Humidity and heat are hallmarks of an Illinois summer. Although staying indoors will keep you out of the heat, the humidity will likely follow you, making for a miserable and even dangerous living situation. Fortunately, dehumidifiers are here to help, and they have several uses beyond simply making your home easier to live in.
How Dehumidifiers Reduce Humidity
Dehumidifiers circulate the air through cool coils to remove excess moisture. Cool air condenses on the coils, and the moisture drains away or drops into a collecting tank. The dried air warms to room temperature and then returns to your home. By constantly sucking moisture out of the air, this method brings humidity levels down to a more bearable level.
A dehumidifier is a lifesaver in Illinois, where summertime humidity levels routinely surpass 60% or even 70%. These gadgets make the house a better place to live by keeping the relative humidity in the air between 30% and 50%.
Preventing Mold Growth
During the summer months in Illinois, humidity levels exceeding 60% are typical, creating an ideal habitat for mold to grow. Dehumidifiers make homes less suitable for mold growth by lowering the relative humidity within. This helps protect your home’s structural integrity by preventing mold damage.
Makes the Temperature More Comfortable
Your body’s natural cooling mechanism—sweat—has a harder time evaporating when the humidity is high. Even though the temperature hasn’t changed, you’ll feel cooler because dehumidifiers reduce humidity, which allows for more efficient evaporation. This will give the impression that your home is colder than it actually is. In Illinois, where summer days routinely reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more, this cooling effect could be a welcome relief.
Making the Air Healthier to Breathe
Not only can high humidity make everything feel heavier, but it can also have negative effects on your health. Pollutants, allergies, and dust mites flourish in damp environments, resulting in poor air quality. By lowering the relative humidity, dehumidifiers help make indoor air quality more conducive to better breathing. Those who live in Illinois and suffer from asthma or allergies may find this very helpful. During the summer, when humidity is highest, this will make breathing easier while also reducing allergy symptoms.
Improving Cooling Efficiency
Another benefit of lower humidity is that it makes your air conditioner work less to cool your house. Air conditioners do a double duty by cooling and drying the air. They have to put in extra hours to get both jobs done in humid weather. A dehumidifier can ease the strain on your air conditioner by lowering the relative humidity of the air before it reaches your unit. Because it isn’t fighting against too much moisture, your AC will be able to concentrate on more efficient cooling.
Additionally, you might be less likely to turn down the thermostat when you’re feeling dehumidified air since your home feels cooler. Even a slight increase in the thermostat setting can result in substantial energy savings throughout a summer in Illinois. A simple example would be a two- to three-degree increase in thermostat settings, which can result in a five- to ten-percent reduction in cooling expenditures.
Preventing Pest Infestations
A lot of the usual domestic pests, like ants, silverfish, and cockroaches, really like humid environments. Dehumidifiers reduce the relative humidity in your home, making conditions less inviting to these pesky pests. In Illinois, where hot and muggy summers bring a surge in bug activity, this natural pest repellent can be very helpful.
Drying Laundry Indoors
Clothes will retain musty smells or even mildew if the humidity is too high and doesn’t allow them to dry fully. A dehumidifier shortens the drying time and improves the quality of dried clothing by drawing out extra moisture from the air.
Reducing Condensation
Living in a humid area makes condensation on windows, pipes, and other surfaces a typical issue. Over time, this excess moisture can cause structural problems, paint flaking, and water damage. By maintaining controlled interior humidity levels, dehumidifiers protect your property from moisture-related issues like condensation.
If you’re wondering whether a dehumidifier could benefit your home, Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. is here to help you make the best decision. We work on HVAC systems, geothermal units, fireplaces, boilers, mini-splits, and more. Ask us about our maintenance plans, too! To learn more about the benefits of using a whole-home dehumidifier in your Normal, IL home, give us a call today.