If you live anywhere near Naples or Ft. Myers, you experience some of the hottest, most humid summers in the country. Humidity is the determining factor in how comfortable your house feels: Sticky, humid air is uncomfortable, plus high humidity in your home can cause unchecked growth of mold and mildew, which is bad for your house and your health. What’s worse, high humidity is a fact of life year round in Southwest Florida, so what can you do to control it in your home?

Add a Dehumidifier to Control Indoor Humidity

Humid air feels more uncomfortable than dry air, and too much humidity also makes it difficult for items in a home, such a fabrics and laundry, to dry out properly, causing growth of mold and mildew. In warm climates, relative humidity (RH) inside your home should be no greater than 60%. To achieve this goal in areas like Ft Myers and Naples, a whole-house dehumidifier is an excellent addition to your HVAC system and is highly recommended by ac installation companies.  A whole-house dehumidifier works by drawing warm humid air over cold coils; it then dries the air and releases it back into your living space. By using a dehumidifier together with your air conditioning system, you can create optimum humidity levels in your home with multiple benefits:

1. The comfort level in your home is greatly improved and constant.
2. Humidity on floors, walls and other surfaces is greatly reduced, thereby protecting your home and furnishings from moisture damage, bacteria and mold. Damp wood expands, which can ruin furniture, flooring and structural components.
3. The air that you breathe is cleaner with fewer mold spores, fungi, viruses and other bacteria.
4. Your air conditioner runs less frequently, so you actually save money over time because you feel the same level of comfort at 78°F/30%RH as you do at 74°F/70% RH. The lower RH (Relative Humidity) lets you keep your air conditioning set to a higher temperature without sacrificing comfort, so you save money on your electric bill.

How do you choose a Whole-House Dehumidifier?

Your ac installation contractor can help you determine with dehumidifier pairs best with your home and HVAC system. Factors considered are square footage and the ideal humidity level. It’s also important to choose an energy-efficient unit, so consider the Energy Star rating when discussing unit options with your air conditioning installation contractor.

Certified Heating and Cooling Inc. is proud to be an authorized Honeywell® dealer for the Naples and Ft Myers area, a premier manufacturer of whole-house dehumidifiers. Please call us today at (239) 204-4114 to learn how a Honeywell® dehumidifier can make a world of difference in the comfort and healthy air quality of your home.