Summer is prime time for high humidity levels in Grovetown, Georgia, and this sticky sensation is enough to make anyone feel overly hot and uncomfortable. When you live in the South, understanding how to control airborne moisture is essential. From servicing your air conditioner to installing a dehumidifier, learn how to achieve the ideal humidity level at home.
Know Your Ideal Humidity Level
Before adjusting your thermostat or making any changes around the house, make sure you know the ideal humidity level for your Grovetown home. While the optimal level will vary slightly throughout the year, you’ll typically want to aim for indoor humidity between 45 and 55 percent.
If your home tends to be on the dry side during the winter months, you may experience electric shocks. If your home tends to be humid in the summer, you could have much larger problems on your hands. Mold, mildew, and dust mites tend to thrive in moist conditions, leading to serious indoor air quality concerns.
Use Exhaust Fans
Once summer weather arrives and temperatures start to rise, beat the heat and humidity by installing and using exhaust fans at every opportunity. Turn on the bathroom fan each time you take a shower, bathe, or create any airborne moisture. Use the kitchen fan every time you cook, even if you’re just boiling water. Turn it on when you wash dishes or run hot water for any other reason, too.
Don’t forget to use the exhaust vent in the laundry room, either. Make sure your clothes dryer vents directly outside so all the moisture from your clothes will go outdoors instead of mingling with your indoor air and increasing the humidity level.
Service Your Air Conditioner
Did you know that your home’s air conditioner can handle a lot of the indoor humidity all on its own? Central cooling systems are designed to lower the humidity levels in your home while also decreasing the temperature. Together, a lower temperature and a lower humidity level make your home feel much more comfortable on hot summer days.
However, your air conditioner won’t be able to handle the humidity effectively without regular maintenance. If you haven’t scheduled preventive maintenance or signed up for a comfort agreement this season, do so now. During a standard maintenance appointment, our team will check your system’s fluid levels, test any electrical connections, clean the indoor and outdoor units, and much more.
With regular maintenance, you can ensure that your air conditioner runs as efficiently as possible and keeps humidity levels manageable. You’ll also increase the chances of our team finding and fixing minor issues before they turn into major breakdowns.
Install a Whole-Home Dehumidifier
If your air conditioner isn’t doing enough to handle the humidity on its own, talk with our team about installing a whole-home dehumidifier. These HVAC add-on components do much more than portable or standalone units can. They work directly with your air conditioner to maintain a comfortable level of humidity, and they even help your cooling system run more efficiently in the process. If your air conditioner could use an efficiency boost, this is a smart way to do it.
Upgrade Your HVAC System
If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, an HVAC system upgrade could be just what you need to get a handle on humidity. Since most central air conditioners are designed to last for about a decade, investing in a new system gives you the chance to introduce the latest HVAC and humidity control technology into your home.
Systems with seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) ratings above 15 operate much more efficiently than older air conditioners, and they’re much better at keeping the humidity level ideal. Many new systems also boast cutting-edge technology like variable-speed blowers, which maintain optimal humidity levels and keep you comfortable, even on the stickiest summer days.
Whether your HVAC system needs maintenance or an upgrade, we’re here to help. Call the experienced team at Doc Savage Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.: 706-426-9262.
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