October 23, 2019

When it comes to climate control and comfort, one element that many people tend to overlook is humidity. Yes, the overall temperature of your interior spaces means a lot, but when your home or business is too humid, it can throw everything out of whack.

Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer from high humidity in your home or office. There are many different ways to reduce the moisture in the air to make it more comfortable. In this article, we’ll outline the various tactics you can use, as well as discuss why lower humidity levels are so beneficial.

Why Humidity Matters

If you’re curious as to why you should be focused on improving your home or business’ humidity levels, here are a few reasons.

Mold Growth

All buildings have some level of mold, but those that have higher than average humidity levels are much worse. Mold and mildew can grow unchecked when the air moisture is above 55%, which can pose a variety of health problems. Not only that, but mold can weaken certain parts of the building (i.e., drywall), which can lead to expensive repairs later on.

Lingering Smells

Bad odors can occur anywhere at any time, but they are so much worse in humid environments. The air moisture traps the smells on various surfaces, which can lead to a lingering odor. Not only that but as mold grows, it will emit its own scents as well, which are usually off-putting.

HVAC System

One of the primary problems with overly humid environments is that they are harder to control. It takes a lot longer for moist air to warm or cool, which means that your HVAC system or air conditioner will have to work a lot harder throughout the day. Reducing your humidity by just 10 percent can have a significant impact on your utility bill.

How to Reduce Humidity

Now that you understand the value of keeping your interior spaces cool and dry, let’s look at the various ways to reduce air moisture as much as possible.

Fix Any Leaks

Your primary concern should be to eliminate any water that shouldn’t be there. Leaky pipes, faucets, or drains can be a substantial source of moisture, which is why you need to fix them as soon as possible.

Another point of entry for leaks can be your roof or gutters. Make sure that you inspect these areas regularly, particularly after storms or high winds. The less water that can come in from the outside, the better off you’ll be inside.

Use Exhaust Fans

Most homes and businesses are equipped with various exhaust ports to remove hot and humid air already. An example would be a vent hood over your stove in the kitchen. It may seem unnecessary at times to run these fans, but you should always use them whenever appropriate. Steam can collect in the air and raise the humidity fast, so you want to remove it as quickly as possible.

Inspect Your Air Conditioner

One of the great things about A/C units is that they already dehumidify your home or business as part of their operation. However, that’s only the case when your air conditioner is working correctly.

If it’s been months since your last inspection or service, now is the perfect time to get it checked. Typically, dirty air filters can cause your A/C to work less efficiently, which can lead to higher humidity.

Another problem is when your air conditioner is too large for space. While it may seem desirable to have a high-powered A/C, the fact is that it can work too well, creating condensation in the process. Instead, opt for a slightly smaller model so that you don’t generate higher humidity by accident.

Buy Moisture-Absorbing Plants

For the most part, indoor plants will contribute to humidity. After watering them, they will “breathe” the excess moisture into the air. This is why jungles are so humid. However, certain species (i.e., ferns) can absorb more water than they expel, making them ideal for humidity control.

Be sure to do your research beforehand so that you know how to take care of the plant and that it will get the job done.

Cover Dirt-Floor Crawl Spaces

Dirt is notorious for absorbing moisture, which can contribute to humidity over time. Rather than cleaning the dirt, replace it with something less absorbent, like polyethylene. Depending on the size of your crawlspace, this fix can be relatively expensive, so see if you can correct your humidity problems with other methods first.

Use Charcoal

Interestingly enough, charcoal is one of the best materials to suck moisture from the air. If you already have some briquettes for your grill, you don’t have to buy anything for this quick fix.

Best of all, charcoal can work well for months at a time. Simply place a few pieces in an open container and let it sit. Ideally, you’ll place the charcoal in high-humidity places, like the kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom.

Use a Dehumidifier

In some cases, too much humidity can cause health problems for you or your family (or co-workers). In those situations, a high-quality dehumidifier is probably the best option. These machines are highly efficient and can dry the ambient air much faster than other methods. That being said, we recommend them only when your humidity levels are over 60 percent, or if it’s medically necessary.

Take Cooler Showers

A primary source of steam is most likely your shower. Every time you bathe, you are pumping gallons of water into the air. To help alleviate this load, you should start taking colder showers to produce less steam. Otherwise, install an exhaust fan and use it every time you clean up.

Contact Preferred Climate Solutions Today

When it comes to managing humidity, we can help. The right system can make a world of difference. See how we can make your home or business more comfortable immediately.

When talking about air conditioning, there are two primary options: fixed and portable. As you can imagine, fixed units remain stationary since they are built into your building’s facade. Even window-mounted air conditioners are considered fixed since they don’t move once they are installed.

Portable A/C, however, sometimes gets a bad reputation, despite its versatility and reliability. So, to help dispel some of those misconceptions, we’re going to bust five myths surrounding portable A/C units. After reading this article, you’ll probably want to buy one to help keep you cool during the hottest parts of the year.

#1 Portable Air Conditioning is Unnecessary With a Central HVAC System

At first glance, this myth makes a lot of sense. After all, if you have a central heating and cooling system for your home or business, why waste money on a portable air conditioner?

Well, if you’ve ever been in a room that seems to defy your HVAC system in all conditions, then you know that that’s a lie. Unfortunately, central A/C doesn’t work uniformly throughout the building, which can lead to hot or cold zones.

In these spaces, a portable unit will help alleviate any climate control issues, making it much more pleasurable for everyone inside.

Not only that, but portable air conditioners help your central system run more efficiently. Now that certain spots are already climate controlled, your central A/C doesn’t have to work as hard, particularly during the hotter parts of the year.

#2 You Need to Turn Off Portable A/C When You Leave

Again, the thinking behind this myth makes a lot of sense at first. Realistically, you don’t want to be spending money by running an air conditioner when no one is around to benefit from it.

However, there is a better alternative. The reason for this mistake is that everyone tends to set these machines to a specific temperature and keep it there all day and night. A better option is to increase that temperature by about 10 degrees when you leave instead. Then, when you come back, return it to the original setting.

The reason that this tactic works better is that your portable A/C (and/or your central HVAC) doesn’t have to work as hard when you return the next day. Also, it can be much more comfortable when coming back into the building since it won’t be sweltering hot or frigidly cold.

#3 Portable A/C is a Luxury, Not a Necessity

Unfortunately, many people (especially higher-ups) believe that air conditioning is more or less a luxury item. Yes, it’s nice to have, particularly when the weather gets hot, but it’s not necessary all the time.

However, there are several tangible benefits to maintaining a comfortable interior temperature all year round. When you compare the dangers of improper climate to the cost of running a portable A/C unit, it starts to look a lot more appealing. Here are the reasons why A/C should be a priority.

Mold Growth 

Hot and humid environments can spawn mold much faster, which will only become more and more of an issue over time. Also, some strains can pose significant health hazards, which is why you need to stifle their growth as quickly as possible.

Heat Exhaustion/Stroke 

The human brain is a fascinating organ, but it doesn’t take much for it to become sluggish. An increase of just a few degrees can be more than enough to cause mental strain and fatigue. Simply put, an air-conditioned workforce is a more productive one.

Higher Productivity

While mental fatigue can cause people to slow down, overheating can impact a person physically as well. If you run a warehouse or business with a lot of manual labor, portable air conditioners can allow workers to stay busy for longer, with fewer breaks.

#4 Portable A/C is Too Expensive

Typically speaking, you will spend more by deploying a variety of portable air conditioners than you would with a central HVAC system. However, the versatility of these units makes them a viable option, both regarding climate control and cost-efficiency.

For example, rather than running a central system all night, you can utilize portable A/C units to keep various spots within the building cool (i.e., server rooms). Also, as we mentioned above, portable air conditioners can allow your central HVAC to work more efficiently, which can cancel out the additional costs of operation.

Finally if you don’t currently have central heating and air, portable machines are going to be much better cost-wise than trying to install a brand-new system. This way, you can focus on certain hotspots within the building, rather than trying to keep everything climate-controlled. For example, if there are areas that stay shaded or stay empty throughout the day, why is waste money cooling those spots with central A/C?

#5 It’s Too Difficult to Exhaust the Hot Air

One of the challenges you face with portable air conditioners is that they still generate heat. The compressor and other internal mechanics work hard, which means that you need to find a way to exhaust that heat, so it doesn’t counteract the cooling effect.

However, there are options available. First, most of these units come with a flexible exhaust hose that simply needs to be placed at a window or vent. If your machine won’t be moving very much, this is a viable solution. Second, you can buy water-cooled A/Cs, which don’t require an exhaust port. Instead, you just have to connect them to an external water source.

Bottom Line: Portable A/C is Viable and Economical

No matter how you look at it, chances are that your home or business can benefit from deploying one or more portable air conditioning units. These devices can make climate control much more accessible, and they can provide a much better living environment. Don’t underestimate the power of comfort, particularly when productivity is on the line.

For most people, HVAC systems are mostly a mystery. They understand their purpose and what they do, but when it comes to the finer details and inner workings, it might as well be rocket science.

However because your HVAC system is so crucial for climate control in your office or warehouse, you can’t afford to remain ignorant about it. You should know what your HVAC technician is talking about when giving you a rundown of various service or repair options. Otherwise, how can you be better prepared for next time?

So, with that in mind, we want to share the most common HVAC terms and what they mean. This way, you can follow along when your technician or repairman is outlining what’s going on within your system.

HVAC

Let’s start with the most obvious one – do you know what HVAC stands for? As an acronym, HVAC means Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Essentially, this one term refers to any air movement or flow within your building.

ASHRAE

You may have seen this acronym pasted on the side of your air conditioning unit. While it’s not present on all machines, it can be a sign of quality and reliability. ASHRAE stands for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers. This coalition is designed to help improve HVAC systems, specifically focusing on the quality of each build and providing sustainable performances.

Compressor

Chances are you’ve heard this term before in a few different situations. Compressors are not exclusive to HVAC systems – they are in refrigerators and cars as well. A compressor is a device that pumps refrigerant through an air conditioner to maintain comfortable temperatures. Essentially, it’s the part that allows you to control your indoor climate by blowing cold air.

Coils

There are two types of coils present in HVAC systems – condensers and evaporators. Condenser coils are outside, and they remove heat from the refrigerant moving through the system so that it can cool back down. Evaporator coils are on the inside of the building, and they remove heat from the air and pass it to the condenser.

Both coils work in tandem to help you control the temperature inside your building, and they are crucial for a functioning HVAC system.

CFM

As you’ve probably noticed, there are a few acronyms that get tossed around in the world of HVAC service and repair. CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, which relates to the flow of air through your system. The higher the CFM, the better the airflow, which can improve your climate control. Also, if your CFM is lower than usual, it means that there is either a blockage (i.e., dust and debris) or something within the system is broken.

Heat Pump

If you want your HVAC system to work well all year round, then you need to make sure that you can create cooler temperatures in the summer and warmer temperatures in the winter. A heat pump enables you to do this by circulating hot air in either direction. Heat pumps are usually more cost-efficient than standard air conditioners because you can use them during any season.

BTU

You’ll see BTUs come up a lot when looking at HVAC systems. This acronym stands for British Thermal Unit, and it’s the standard measurement used for both air conditioners and heating systems. One BTU describes the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of water by a single degree (in Fahrenheit). It can also refer to lowering the temperature as well, which is why it’s on A/C units as well.

Damper

When your HVAC technician starts talking about dampers, it can suddenly be hard to follow along. However, a damper is simply a piece of sheet metal that can control the flow of air from one duct to the next. Dampers are placed at junctions where two ducts meet.

EER

This acronym stands for Energy Efficient Ratio. The way that your system’s EER is calculated is to measure the cooling capacity in relation to your power output. The cooling capacity is reflected in BTUs per hour, while the power output is typically listed in watts. As you can imagine, the higher your EER number, the more energy-efficient your system is.

Filter

Your HVAC will use multiple filters to trap various particles from the air. Over time, these filters can get dusty and dirty, which means that they either have to be cleaned or replaced. Most air filters are disposable, but you can’t just toss them into the trash. They contain various contaminants, so you have to throw them away responsibly.

Your refrigeration system also comes with a filter, which acts as a drier, straining dirt and other debris from getting into the refrigerant.

Static Pressure

This term refers to any resistance within your HVAC system that can impact the flow of air. Obviously, the higher the static pressure, the harder that your HVAC has to work to get air to flow freely. If there is high static pressure, it typically refers to a blockage within the ducts.

Refrigerant Charge

As you should know, the refrigerant is the liquid that flows through your A/C unit to keep your interior spaces cool. The charge refers to how much of that liquid is present. If the charge is low, it’s time to refill it.

Split System

In some cases, your HVAC may be split into an outdoor and indoor unit. Typically, split systems operate more efficiently than central systems because they can adapt to both conditions much more rapidly.

Contact Preferred Climate Solutions Today

Now that you know a bit more about how your HVAC system works, give us a call or contact now and see how we can improve the quality of your climate today.