Seasonal allergies are in full swing, but did you know that irritants from outside like pollen aren’t the only things that impact allergies? In fact, mold, mildew, and dust mites also cause allergy symptoms. One way to curb the impact of allergies is by installing a dehumidifier in your home. A dehumidifier has many benefits that help resolve a variety of issues including those irritating allergy symptoms.
When you schedule your spring HVAC maintenance and HVAC repairs for your Jacksonville, Florida home, remember to ask the technician about adding a dehumidifier. The areas that benefit most from a dehumidifier are small apartments, basements, bathrooms, small kitchens, and any unventilated area. This is especially true for humid climates.
Signs Your Home Needs a Dehumidifier
Most often, visual mold or mildew are the first indicators that you need a dehumidifier. However, homes may need a dehumidifier for many different reasons. The EPA says scientific research now shows that indoor air quality is much worse than outdoor air quality. Also, people spend nearly 90% of their time indoors. It is critical to take steps to improve your home’s indoor air quality.
If you live in an apartment building, mold spores can travel through the air ventilation system. Even if you don’t see evidence of a problem in your unit, you may suffer from a neighbor’s problems. Mold spores look like small black spots that usually appear in the corners of the wall or edges of the ceiling. Whenever you spot mold spores you should act immediately to resolve the problem to avoid negative health consequences.
Signs of a major problem are rotting wood in your home or standing water in your basement or crawl space. This means your home has too much moisture. Of course, you must find the root of the problem and repair it, but a dehumidifier helps remove moisture from the space.
If your home has a musty smell, that is a key sign that your home needs a dehumidifier. Even if you don’t see mold or mildew yet, it’s likely lurking unseen. A bad or unusual smell in your home should always be investigated and resolved. Keep your eyes open for these common signs that your home needs a dehumidifier.
Common Signs:
· Water stains on walls or ceilings
· Condensation on windows
· Allergy symptoms
· Mold spores on walls or ceilings
· Rotting wood
· Musty smell
· Seeping or standing water after rain or a storm
Benefits of a Dehumidifier
Use a dehumidifier to maintain proper levels of humidity in your home. Florida has a humid climate. Coastal towns also have added moisture from the ocean breeze. Installing a dehumidifier is a smart way to protect your home from damage and keep your family healthy.
The biggest benefit of a dehumidifier is your home will be less hospitable to allergens, specifically mold, and mildew. You may even think you’re suffering from seasonal allergies when it’s actually the impact of mold or mildew in your home. Remove the opportunity for mold and mildew to thrive by installing a dehumidifier.
Removing moisture from your home helps your HVAC system to run more smoothly which helps lower energy costs. Another way you save money is by reducing the corrosion on electronics and other metals. Less moisture means that the items in your home work better and last longer.
Dehumidifier Benefits:
· Reduce humidity levels
· Reduce mold and mildew growth
· Eliminate musty odors
· Better indoor air quality
· Clothes dry faster
· Food remains fresh longer
· Less corrosion on electronics and metals
· Less dust in your home
· Lower energy costs
What to Do if you Need a Dehumidifier
If you suspect your home needs a dehumidifier it is likely because of allergies, a musty smell, or visible mold or mildew. Don’t just buy a dehumidifier and stop there. First, schedule an inspection of your HVAC system. Mold spores can build up in your HVAC system. You want to ensure your system is clean and working properly.
Resolve the root cause of any water leaks in your home. Even with a dehumidifier, leaks can cause continued damage if not resolved. Also, have your home inspected for mold growth and clean any visible mold. A quality dehumidifier will help maintain the air quality in your home going forward. We also provide commercial dehumidifier services!
Contact the experts at J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing to schedule HVAC repair in Jacksonville, Florida, or the surrounding areas.
