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How Can a Dehumidifier or Humidifier Benefit My Texas Home?

It is important to ensure the level of indoor humidity in your Texas home is kept at the right percentage level year-round. At Christianson Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we are frequently asked: “Do I need a humidifier or dehumidifier for my home?” To answer this question, let’s look at what humidity is and how it can affect indoor air quality.

Man installing a dehumidifier

Humidity is the amount of moisture that is in the air. Ideally, you want to make sure the humidity level in your home is less than fifty percent. A good average to aim for is around forty percent. Maintaining around forty percent humidity in your Texas home will ensure you are comfortable.

This humidity level also helps promote better indoor air quality, alleviates problems with allergies and asthma, and reduces the spread of illnesses. In addition, you will discover you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher in the summer and a few degrees lower in the winter and still be comfortable.

Why You Need a Dehumidifier

As we all know, during the hot Texas summers, humidity levels can be rather high and make going outside almost unbearable. Even in your home during the summertime, humidity levels can increase and cause problems with mold and mildew.

If you have allergies or suffer from asthma, increased humidity levels can make it difficult to breathe. Not to mention, no one likes feeling moisture on their skin while they are trying to get a good night’s sleep. It is important to speak to a lung doctor as well to see what else you can do in your home to help you with your breathing, especially if you do suffer from these issues mentioned before.

While your air conditioner is designed to lower the indoor air temperature, it does not fully remove all humidity. You may have noticed your home feels warmer than what the thermostat says on those 90+ summer days. This is because the humidity inside is higher. When humidity levels are higher, they can make it feel warmer.

A dehumidifier can help by removing the excess moisture from the indoor air. As the water is extracted from the air, it makes it drier. Drier air feels cooler on the skin. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about condensation inside the home, which can promote mold and mildew growth.

Why You Need a Humidifier

The steam from the humidifier in the night

Humidifiers, on the other hand, add moisture to the indoor air. They are perfect for your home in the winter when humidity levels can drop below 40 percent. As the air becomes drier, it makes it easier for bacteria and viruses to be spread. It also can cause dry and chapped skin. Using a humidifier can be a wise choice in such options. To enhance the effects, many people all over the world tend to buy distilled water from suppliers like Golyath or the ones in their area to use in the humidifiers. Distilled water can reduce the chances of mold colonies forming inside the humidifier’s tank. This in turn can prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.

Another side-effect of drier air with low humidity levels is it will make you feel colder. If you have ever gotten the chills when temperatures dip down to the 50s or 60s, it is probably because there is very little humidity in the air.

Furthermore, dry air is not good for anything made from wood, including your furniture and flooring. Low humidity levels will suck moisture out of the wood and cause it to dry out. Dry wood can become brittle and break easier.

Hopefully, you can see the benefits of getting a dehumidifier and humidifier for your Texas home. To learn more about getting a dehumidifier and humidifier installed, or for AC repair and plumbing repair services, please feel free to contact your nearest Christianson Air Conditioning & Plumbing location in San Antonio, Temple, New Braunfels, or Austin today!

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