Staying comfortable during all kinds of weather is a big motivation for homeowners and business owners alike to install a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system. However, an HVAC system on its own may not be sufficient to bring humidity levels exactly to your liking.

People can typically tolerate higher heat as long as it is fairly dry and they can get in front of a breeze or cooled air from an AC unit, but when the weather gets too humid, it can become quite uncomfortable. This is because the higher the humidity, the more water vapor is in the air. When the air is saturated with vapor, it's harder for our bodies to cool off by perspiring, since the perspiration won't evaporate as readily. Likewise, when the humidity is too low, you can feel uncomfortable because of a lack of moisture in the air.

Problems with Uncontrolled Indoor Humidity

There are a number of problems associated with uncontrolled indoor humidity that you will want to take into consideration regarding your HVAC system.

Perhaps most importantly is the threat of dangerous mold growing. In areas with high humidity, dust mites and mold can develop more easily, and these are capable of damaging your health, such as causing an asthma attack. You may have heard horror stories of people's homes becoming infested with dangerous mold that threatens their health, requiring the professional intervention of mold eradication experts.

High humidity can also damage your home and possessions, causing wood to rot and encouraging bugs to come into the building in search of water. Condensing water inside the walls of your home can lead to it rotting from the inside out.

When the humidity is low, you may notice it initially because you are experiencing more static electricity shocks, which are annoying under any circumstance. Sensitive individuals may find it harder to breathe when the humidity is extremely low. You may also feel uncomfortable in low humidity because it begins to irritate your skin.

It's clear just how important it is to get better control over indoor humidity, to protect the investment you've made in your home or business, as well as to safeguard the health of those living and working in the building.

Methods of Control

The U.S. Government's Environmental Protection Agency notes that ideal humidity levels should be lower than 60 percent during the summer and between 25 percent and 40 percent during the winter. HVAC professionals will use a device called a hygrometer to precisely measure the level of humidity in your home or office.

Typically, you can get quick relief by running your air conditioning system to lower the humidity. It's also crucial to have adequate ventilation in the building. Run your ventilation system and turn on fans when you take a shower, do laundry or cook in the kitchen. Periodically inspect the ventilation system to ensure it is running at optimal levels.

The professionals at David Gray Heating & Air know just how uncomfortable humidity can be for homeowners and business owners in the greater Jacksonville, Florida area and beyond. If you would like some assistance in getting your indoor humidity levels under better control with the use of air conditioning systems or added ventilation, please feel free to contact us today for consultation and service.