Do I Need a Dehumidifier?

Summer is the most humid time of year. With the season upon us, it’s time to ask yourself an important question: do I need a dehumidifier?

Install a dehumidifier in New Jersey today! Call Arctic Air Conditioning at 732-455-9110 or fill out the form in the sidebar!

To figure out if you need a dehumidifier, ask yourself the following:

Is the relative humidity higher than it should be?

The easiest way to find out is to purchase a hygrometer, an inexpensive humidity-reading device available at home improvement stores. Take the hygrometer into various rooms in your home and check out the readings.

The EPA suggests that you maintain 30 to 50 percent relative humidity in your home for optimal comfort. If the hygrometer shows a reading higher than 50 percent, a dehumidifier might be necessary to lower it into a more comfortable range.

Is my home uncomfortably clammy?

When you turn down the thermostat, the air conditioner kicks on and removes hot air from the home. It also dehumidifies the air to some extent, but if the AC short cycles, it can’t remove enough humidity to make your home comfortable. The result is a damp, clammy feeling. After all, when the air is already humid, the moisture on your skin can’t evaporate as readily, which makes the room feel warmer than it really is.

Are there odd smells in my home?

Excess humidity is one of the primary causes of indoor mold, mildew, and wood rot. These can produce odd odors that don’t just smell unpleasant; they can also degrade indoor air quality and cause respiratory problems. Clean up the mold or replace rotted wood and prevent the problem from happening again by installing a dehumidifier.

Do I want to save energy?

A dehumidifier saves energy in two ways. First, when running alongside the air conditioner, it removes excess humidity effectively so you don’t find yourself continually turning the temperature down to get rid of that clammy feeling. By keeping your dehumidified home slightly warmer, you save on air conditioning bills without becoming uncomfortable.

Second, a dehumidifier can run without the air conditioner on mild days, promoting more moisture evaporation from your skin and helping you feel cooler without paying for air conditioning.

Do I enjoy opening the windows for natural ventilation in the spring and fall?

This is a common way to save money and stay comfortable when it’s nice outside. However, New Jersey springs and autumns can be quite humid. That means when you close up your home for long periods, moisture could become stuck inside and cause structural problems in the future. With a dehumidifier in place, feel free to open up the windows when it’s nice out; just remember to run the dehumidifier when the windows are closed so moisture can’t accumulate inside.

Install a Dehumidifier Today!

If you want to install a home dehumidifier in New Jersey or you need to replace an older model, call Arctic Air Conditioning today and schedule a service call!

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• Monmouth County
• Middlesex County
• Mercer County
• Ocean County