How Could Humidity Be Damaging My Home?

During the summer in Georgia, we often experience hot, humid conditions. That’s because our state is considered to have a humid subtropical climate. This creates short, mild winters and long, hot summers, so you can easily see why having an air conditioning system in your home is so important. Many people rely on their AC systems for more than cooling, though – they often can help keep the humidity down, too. However, sometimes the climate is simply too humid for air conditioning alone to handle.

Unfortunately, if the air in your home is overly humid for a prolonged period, it can begin to cause some structural damage. In this article, we’ll discuss the damaging effects of overly damp air on the overall home build, and how Empire can help mitigate high home humidity by providing homeowners with whole-house dehumidification and ERV systems. Keep reading to learn more!

Four Ways High Humidity Can Damage Your Home

When your home is too humid, it’s likely that you’ll know it.  There may be condensation on your windows, your carpet and upholstered furniture will likely feel damp, and your skin may feel sticky and clammy. And while these factors may be unpleasant enough, extreme humidity in your home may begin to cause damage to the structure and your home’s mechanical systems over time. Here are just a few ways high humidity can affect your home:

1. Excessive mold and mildew growth: Heat and high humidity tend to be the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can grow on walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, furniture, and other surfaces. Not only are mold and mildew damaging and smelly, but they may also cause health problems, especially for people with respiratory concerns.
2. Wood rotting: Wood is very sensitive to humidity changes and can begin to decay when exposed to overly high humidity levels. This can affect hardwood floors, cabinets, furniture, doors, windows, and structural elements of your home. Worse yet, wood rot can also attract pests such as termites and carpenter ants that can further damage your home.
3. Paint and wallpaper damage: High humidity can also cause paint and wallpaper to peel, chip, bubble, or stain due to moisture seeping through the walls or ceilings, as well as potential mold and mildew growth. This can affect the appearance and value of your home as well as create potential structural problems, such as weakening of drywall.
4. Mechanical system problems: High humidity can also affect the performance and efficiency of your mechanical systems such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. For example, high humidity can cause condensation on water pipes and toilet tanks that can lead to corrosion, leaks, or bursts. High humidity can also reduce the cooling capacity of your air conditioner and increase your energy bills, as your system will have to work much harder to keep your home cool.

Therefore, if your home feels humid on a frequent basis, you may want to consider purchasing a hygrometer, which measures the humidity levels in your home. If the humidity measures 55% or higher over a prolonged period, it’s probably time to take the next step – calling your HVAC contractor for help.

How can Empire help me get my home humidity levels under control?

At Empire, we know your home comfort goes beyond the temperature of the indoor air in your home – the quality of that air is important, too. That’s why we offer our customers quality products that can help keep humidity levels where they should be and can bring fresh air into your home.

We offer quality ventilation products, such as Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) and expert installation services, so you and your family will be enjoying better indoor air quality in no time. And, we can provide you with whole-home dehumidification systems that can help keep the moisture levels in your home where they belong – helping you stay more comfortable and helping to keep your home structurally sound.

Get the solutions you need for your home by contacting Empire today.

Empire Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to help with the ventilation and dehumidification needs of your Decatur home. We will provide you with high-quality ventilation and dehumidification products, installed for you by our professional technicians. Call us today at 404-294-0900 or contact us online, and we will be more than happy to help you.