The summer heat has come to Middle Tennessee, and with it summer humidity.
Historically speaking, the average relative humidity in Nashville is 70 degrees, with the annual averages for the daily high and low at 84.1 percent and 53.1 percent, respectively. But in the summer, the humidity in Nashville is consistently higher, with the average relative humidity at 73 percent in both July and August.
That much humidity is unpleasant, as people are typically most comfortable when the relative humidity is between 40 and 50 percent. Worse yet, that much humidity can also be bad for your home. As we noted in our post on keeping sticky summer heat outside, excessive humidity can lead to mold growth, warping and damage to wood, as well as other potentially costly problems.
3 Telltale Signs That Your Home is Too Humid
How do you know if your house is too humid? There are certain telltale signs that you can look for.
- Condensation on the interior glass of windows or condensation on windowsills.
- Mold spots on ceilings or walls. This issue is most likely to reveal itself in bathrooms, especially those that aren’t equipped with efficient fans that can pull steam and humidity from the room. Also keep in mind that mold may grow under or around a leaky toilet.
- Musty odors. If you detect a musty order it could be indicative of the growth of mold or mildew. In addition to bathrooms, moisture issues often develop in basements, garages and crawlspaces, usually as a result of sealing issues. Keep an eye out for water stains as well.
If you do find evidence of mold and mildew, you want to address the cause(s) as soon as possible, as mold growth can be health issue. Moreover, you aren’t likely to feel your best if your home is too humid. Never mind the fact that it’s not good for the electronics in your home, either.
The good news is that excess humidity is usually a readily controllable problem. Some no- or low-cost options include improving ventilation and taking shorter, colder showers, if you are having issues in your bathroom.
On the other hand, you may find that you need a dehumidifier. A portable unit is fine if the problem is localized and temporary.
2 Types of Whole-House Dehumidifiers
But if you have ongoing issues with humidity you may want to consider a whole-house dehumidifier, of which there are two types—those that have the compressor located indoors and those that have the compressor outdoors. One potential disadvantage of an indoor dehumidifier is that the heat it generates may require your HVAC system to work a little bit harder.
If you’re in the market for a dehumidifier, keep in mind that ENERGY STAR-certified dehumidifiers “have more efficient refrigeration coils, compressors, and fans than conventional models, which means they remove the same amount of moisture, but use nearly 30 percent less energy.” ENERGY STAR also offers worthwhile tips as to which features you might find useful.
If you’d like Jewell Mechanical’s assistance, our certified service technicians can help you determine which dehumidifiers would work best with your existing HVAC system and suggest possible options. When it comes time for you to install your whole-house dehumidifier, we can do that too.
We’re licensed in Tennessee, and we work hard to earn your trust. Contact us online for a consultation orf call us at (615) 469-5965.
Other Humidifier Resources
5 Ways You Can Tell If You Need a Home Dehumidifier
5 Powerful Reasons To Use A Whole House Humidifier