A home is a unit made up of interconnected systems. Therefore, if one system in your home is malfunctioning, it could affect one or more of the other systems. One problem that could affect multiple areas of your home is an issue in your home’s ventilation infrastructure.
If your Meridian home isn’t circulating air properly, you could end up with excess humidity. This excess humidity, unfortunately, could cause problems with other systems. That’s why the pros at [company_name] encourage you to keep an eye on your home’s humidity so that you can prevent these problems from happening.
How Does Humidity Collect in a Home?
Anything you do that involves water can increase the relative humidity in your home. Washing clothes, taking showers, and even cooking can all release water vapor into the air.
One of the biggest contributors to indoor humidity, though, is the water vapor that’s in every breath you exhale. Combined with the water vapor from other sources, it’s easy to see why many homes have high humidity levels. If your home is sealed tightly, very little of this water vapor can escape, meaning that it will remain in your home for extended periods.
Problems With Electrical Wiring
In situations where the humidity level reaches high concentrations, you could start to see problems with your electrical system that will require assistance from [company_name] to fix. If the humidity levels are so high that water vapor collects in your wall cavities, your electrical wiring could be at risk.
This is especially common during colder months when water vapor condenses on hard surfaces in uninsulated wall cavities. This could cause rust on exposed wires, electrical shorts, and potential electrical overheating problems.
Problems With Electrical Fixtures and Devices
High humidity can also wreak havoc on your electrical fixtures and devices. If you have light fixtures in a room that are turned off for an extended period of time, excess water vapor could collect on these fixtures and cause rust.
If an electronic device such as a cellphone is kept in a humid environment, it could eventually cause the electrical contacts in the phone to corrode, resulting in a non-working phone. This is why it’s so important to monitor your home’s humidity levels and take action if the levels get too high.
How to Reduce Humidity in Your Home
At A-1 Heating, Air Conditioning & Electric, we believe that the best way to remove excess humidity in a home is with a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers come in all shapes and sizes, meaning that you can customize your dehumidification solution to your needs.
You can use portable units for especially humid areas, such as basements or laundry rooms. If your whole home has a problem with excess humidity, you can have [company_name] install a whole-home dehumidifier that precisely calculates the moisture needs for each room.
It’s also a good idea to run your air conditioner during the summer since an air conditioner has the same dehumidifying capabilities as a standalone dehumidifier. Plus, you can consider drying your clothes outside instead of in a dryer since a dryer can release water vapor into the air in your home. Finally, make sure to run the exhaust fan in your bathroom when you’re taking a shower to ensure that steam from the shower doesn’t escape into the rest of your indoor spaces.
Other Risks of High Humidity
Of course, excess humidity in a home carries with it many more risks than basic electrical problems. The main problem with excess humidity is the risk for mold growth. Mold can have a variety of negative health effects if you’re exposed to it over a long period of time.
Plus, you’ll notice that doors stick more frequently in a humid home as the wood in the doors and door frames absorbs the water. Although humidity might seem harmless at first glance, it’s not something to ignore.
Your Humidity Control Experts
At A-1 Heating, Air Conditioning & Electric, we offer several ways to help you control your home’s humidity. We can install whole-home dehumidifiers and install, maintain, and repair air conditioners to keep your home’s humidity levels to a minimum. We also offer electrical services, including lighting installation, electrical repair, and ceiling fan maintenance. Plus, we offer duct sealing to help your HVAC system perform as efficiently as possible.
For over 65 years, we’ve worked hard to build a trusted reputation in this community. To learn more about controlling humidity in your home, contact us to schedule a consult today.