4 Benefits of Installing a Whole-Home Dehumidifier

When it comes to keeping your home comfortable and cool, the level of humidity is just as important as the temperature. A relative humidity level of 35 to 50 percent is usually ideal for the best comfort. If the humidity in your home is too high, a dehumidifier can provide a solution. A dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air. Here are several benefits of installing a whole-home dehumidifier. 

Indoor Air Quality

Household allergens such as mold, mildew, and dust mites thrive in a damp, humid environment. A dehumidifier decreases the moisture that promotes the growth of mold and allergens. Your indoor air quality will improve, and your household will breathe a lot easier. Not only can an ideal humidity level reduce allergy symptoms, it can also slow down the spread of germs.

Increased Home Comfort

Humid air interrupts your body's natural cooling process. The humidity feels like it sticks to your skin, making you hot and uncomfortable.  With a dehumidifier, the air is kept at an ideal level of relative humidity. You'll feel a lot cooler and more comfortable, even when your air conditioner is not running.  

Energy Savings

When there is a lot of moisture in the air, your cooling system needs to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. A dehumidifier will help maintain the best level of humidity in your home, allowing your air conditioner to use less energy.   

Protection from Water Damage

Excessive moisture in your home can cause a buildup of condensation. This can damage your home's walls, ceilings, and furniture. You may need a dehumidifier if you notice peeling wallpaper or bubbling paint on your walls, warping furniture, or musty odors. A dehumidifier will remove the excess moisture and can help protect the house from water damage.

Contact us here at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. for more assistance with your cooling system.

Cost of Comfort

With the economy the way it is and rising natural gas costs, we have to try and find a balance of cost over comfort. That’s why being energy efficient is so important these days because it can save you a lot of money on your energy bills.

At Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc, we have several ways to check your system to make sure it is running at optimal performance and keeping more money in your pocket. There are also some small things that you can do to cut down on energy costs. Change your HVAC filters monthly during peak heating and cooling seasons. They only cost a few bucks to replace and a dirty filter makes your system work harder and longer. You can also look for any leaks around your windows or doors that could be letting the heat escape.

If you want to know more about what to expect come this cold season, read our free report “Predicting the Cost of Your Home Heating.” You can see more about the costs of natural gas and a way to cut down your energy usage by 20% from last year.

Extreme Weather Patterns and Your Home Comfort

Have you ever noticed that sometimes life feels like you’re going from one extreme to another? Like, low, high. Cold, hot. We’ve certainly seen those extremes in weather this year – and will be seeing even more. You’d think that serious cold would be followed by a milder summertime. But that’s not what the weather people see happening. Instead, after a really cold winter pretty much across the country, we’re moving right into another extreme: a really hot summer. So those really low temperatures are headed really high, and those uncomfortably cold days are about to become uncomfortably hot. But here’s the good news. This fact of weather life does not mean that you have to be uncomfortable, especially in your own home. In fact, there’s an important step you can take right now to ensure that your home comfort stays steady whatever ups and downs the thermometer shows. This info tells you lots more. Please take a look.

How Do You Know If It's Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner

Sometimes it seems like our homes are a moving target. Just as soon as you get one part of the house just like you want it, something needs tending to in another area. So, for most of us, we're always on the lookout for the next big thing that's going to show up – invited or not – on our "home maintenance" to-do list.

Now, when "air conditioning system replacement" comes up on that list, that's quite a significant situation. Home comfort systems are a sizeable part of your home investment, so it's never something to take lightly. But when it's time, three things should be on your evaluation list:

System Age – If your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, you could save up to 20 percent on cooling and heating costs if you replaced it with a unit that has earned the Energy Star label.

Repair/Energy Costs – A home comfort system has what's called "operational" costs. If your system is racking up repair bills and guzzling up your energy dollars, you may be overdue for an efficiency upgrade.

Uncomfortable Environment – A home comfort system is supposed to create a comfortable home environment, right? Well, if you're not comfortable, take note. Are some rooms too hot or too cold? Does your home have humidity problems? This could be a sign of poor or improper equipment operation.

To learn more about improving energy efficiency in your home, take a look at this info, What Does Heat Have to Do with Cold.