Here at Edmond, we enjoy beautiful scenery, a strong sense of community, and delicious barbecues. What don’t we enjoy? The humidity.

If you’ve lived here for any length of time, you’re well aware of the battle we wage against moisture in the air, especially during those brutal months from July to September. We call this time of the year “the sweating season.”

Have you ever walked into an attic and seen an air handler dripping like a leaky faucet? That’s high humidity for you, and it’s more than just an unpleasant summer annoyance.

It can impact your comfort, your wallet, and even the health of your home.

At All Comfort Specialist Heating and Air, Our nearby licensed heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians can help zap the humidity inside your home. Whether installing a whole-home dehumidifier or addressing the airflow inside your home, we’ll offer practical solutions that fit your budget and needs.

The Sweating Season and How It Wreaks Havoc

High humidity isn’t just about feeling like you’re constantly wearing a damp towel. It has a ripple effect throughout your Edmond, home. Here’s how:

• HVAC Havoc: Remember that dripping air handler in the attic? That’s condensation forming as cool air from the unit clashes with the hot, humid attic air. This overworks your system, leading to higher energy bills, increased wear and tear, and potential breakdowns.
• Moldy Menace: Excess moisture creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew growth. These can trigger respiratory problems, irritate allergies, and even damage your home’s structure.
• Material Matters: Excessive moisture can cause wood floors to warp, furniture to weaken, and paint to peel.

Understanding the Root Cause of Home Humidity Problems

Many homeowners mistakenly believe a whole-home dehumidifier is the ultimate solution to humidity problems.

While they can be helpful in certain situations, a one-size-fits-all approach often falls short. Here’s why:

• Diagnosis is Key: Adding a dehumidifier might treat the symptom, not the cause. The key is to identify the source of the moisture problem. All Comfort Specialist Heating and Air uses tools like infrared thermal imaging to pinpoint leaks, insulation deficiencies, or ventilation issues.
• Building Science Matters: Your home is a complex system. Understanding how it breathes is crucial for effective humidity control. We follow the guidelines set by the Building Science Corporation (BSC) and other reputable sources to ensure a holistic approach that addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms.
• Ductwork Detectives: Leaky or poorly designed ductwork allows cool air to escape before reaching your living space. We can assess your ductwork and recommend improvements.

Winning the War on Humidity: Long-Term Solutions

Here at All Comfort Specialist Heating and Air, we believe in long-term solutions that create a comfortable, healthy home environment. Here’s what we recommend:

• Seal the Deal: Infiltration—or leaks—allow humid outdoor air into your home. Caulking gaps around windows, doors, and other openings, and sealing your attic access hatch are all key to keeping the moisture out.
• Upgrade Your Insulation: A well-insulated attic creates a barrier between the hot attic and the cooler-conditioned air below. Upgrading from R-8 to R-12 insulation can make a big difference, but remember, it’s an investment.
• Variable Speed Solutions: Single-stage air conditioners struggle during the “sweating season.” Upgrading to a variable-speed system can double your dehumidification capacity.
• Whole-Home Dehumidifier: Installed directly into your HVAC system, it works quietly and efficiently to pull excess moisture from the air in every room, creating a fresher, healthier living environment.

Beyond the Basics: Taking Control of Your Comfort

We’ve covered some essential ways to combat humidity, but there’s more to a comfortable home! Here are some additional tips:

• Bathroom Blues: Bathrooms are notorious moisture factories. Use exhaust fans religiously and ensure they vent outside, not just into the attic. Consider shorter showers and keeping the bathroom door closed when not in use.
• Kitchen Contenders: Cooking creates steam, another enemy of humidity control. Vent your stovetop and oven fans whenever possible, and consider a microwave with a vent fan. Cook outdoors during the warmer months whenever possible.
• Laundry Location: If your laundry room vents into the house, that moisture adds to your woes. Venting the dryer outside is ideal.
• Basement Blues: Basements can be damp and prone to mold growth. Invest in a dehumidifier specifically designed for basements and crawl spaces, and ensure proper ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.
• Embrace Houseplants (Strategically): While plants add beauty, some species love humidity and can exacerbate the problem. Choose low-moisture plants like succulents or snake plants.

Proactive Maintenance to Humidity Mitigation

Just like your car, your HVAC system needs regular checkups to maintain peak performance and efficiency. Here’s why:

• Dirty Coils: A clogged evaporator coil reduces airflow and dehumidification capacity. Regular cleaning by a qualified technician keeps your system running efficiently.
• Refrigerant Recharge: Over time, your system might lose refrigerant, impacting cooling and dehumidification. A technician can check and recharge the refrigerant if necessary.
• Air Filter Finesse: A dirty air filter restricts airflow and reduces efficiency. Replace your air filter regularly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Call Your Humidity Control Experts Today

Schedule a consultation with All Comfort Specialist Heating and Air to learn how we can reduce the humidity and improve the comfort inside your Edmond, home. Call us today at 405-323-0984 or request service online to create a healthy home for your family!

The post A Guide to Indoor Humidity Control first appeared on All Comfort Specialist and is written by All Comfort Specialist.

What do you think of when you hear about air pollution? You might immediately imagine a giant cloud of smoke, cars spewing exhaust, or a trash incinerator––but have you ever thought about your own home in Tulsa?

The reality is airborne contaminants, such as dust, dirt, and pet dander, can negatively impact the indoor air quality (IAQ) of your Oklahoma home. At All Comfort Specialist Heating and Air, we want you to breathe in fresh air, which is why we offer maintenance to keep your HVAC in top shape.

How Can I Improve My Indoor Air Quality?

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you may be exposed to two to five times more airborne pollutants by staying indoors rather than outside. To protect yourself and your loved ones, here are five ways you can help your home have better indoor air quality (IAQ):

1.  Use Fans and Dehumidifiers

     Any area in your home harboring moisture is bad for your air quality. This is because mold and mildew thrive in these areas. If you or a loved one have allergies or asthma, you could be in for some trouble.

     To prevent this, turn on fans in your kitchen and bathrooms. Doing so keeps the area dry, which will help prevent the growth of mold. If your basement gets damp, consider purchasing a dehumidifier or talking to our team about a whole-house dehumidifier to reduce the moisture.

2.  Tidy Up

     Dust can add to your indoor air pollution. Be sure to routinely sweep, vacuum, and mop the floors in your home to prevent a buildup of dust.

     Another great way to prevent excess debris from getting inside your Tulsa home is by placing a doormat at its entrance. Be sure to vacuum the doormat you keep inside as well. (Vacuums with disposable bags, especially high-efficiency particulate air [HEPA] bags, are better for dust reduction than reusable ones.)

3.  Replace Air Filters

     Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system air filter should be regularly replaced or cleaned. Industry standards recommend changing your filter every 90 days—more so if you have pets or a smoker inside your home.

     Air filters trap dust, dirt, and other airborne contaminants that might otherwise circulate throughout your home. If you do not replace or clean the filter, you risk breathing polluted air.

4. Clean Your Air Ducts

     Failing to routinely change or clean your air filter can also lead to an accumulation of dirt and grime in your air ducts. This can result in poor indoor air quality as well. While this is one of several causes of dirty ducts, taking care of your air filter is essential in order to have fresh air to breathe in your home.

     To prolong the life of your air ducts and ensure you have clean air to breathe, request an air duct cleaning by our All Comfort Specialist Heating and Air professionals. Our team of HVAC specialists will remove the collection of dirt and thoroughly clean your air ducts for you.

     According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), you may want to have air duct cleanings more often if you or a household member smokes, suffers from allergies or asthma, has a pet that sheds, or recently moved into a new home.

5. Schedule Maintenance Service

     One of the best ways to improve your indoor air quality is by having our All Comfort Specialist Heating and Air team of specialists perform maintenance on your HVAC. During a maintenance visit, our professionals will perform an overall inspection and tune-up on your HVAC system.

     This includes checking and cleaning your air filter, condensate line, and all other system components to ensure each part of your system is in good, working condition.

Call Us for Your Indoor Air Quality Needs

Our team at All Comfort Specialist Heating and Air understands how important indoor air quality is. That’s why we provide high-quality installation, repair, and maintenance services in Tulsa, Oklahoma. You can always contact our highly trained experts for more recommendations by calling 405-323-0994 or you can request service online today.

The post 5 Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality first appeared on All Comfort Specialist and is written by All Comfort Specialist.