High indoor humidity can be a major problem for homeowners, and it can lead to problems like mold growth, allergies, and structural damage. And during sweltering Wendell, North Carolina, summers, it can be hard for you HVAC system to keep up!
Today, we will discuss three ways high indoor humidity can damage your home and your health (and why it's important to have an HVAC company on hand to help keep your home at a comfortable and healthy humidity level)!
One of the most common problems caused by high indoor humidity is mold growth. Mold loves damp, warm environments, and high humidity levels can provide the perfect conditions for it to grow and spread. Mold smells bad and can cause serious health issues. Breathing in mold spores can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and even serious infections.
And once you get mold spores floating around, your HVAC system could very well just be blowing them all over the place—ironic, since its job is to keep your air clean and dry!
High indoor humidity can also aggravate allergies and asthma symptoms. Dust mites are a common allergen that can thrive in humid environments—dust mite populations often increase significantly when humidity levels are high. This can make it difficult for people with allergies or asthma to breathe comfortably in their own homes.
Of course, a good air filter could help your HVAC system mitigate allergy problems, but your HVAC system should be preventing these problems and lowering humidity from the start!
Finally, high indoor humidity can also cause structural damage to your home. When wood absorbs moisture, it warps, rots, and weakens, which can cause serious problems such as sagging floors and ceilings, as well as termite infestations. High humidity levels can also cause paint and wallpaper to peel and blister.
A healthy HVAC system can help keep your home at a comfortable and healthy humidity level. If your HVAC system is having trouble doing its job, call All Hours! We can diagnose the problem, tune up your system, provide repairs, or even do a full replacement if necessary (though we’ll never sell you anything you don't need).