How High Indoor Humidity in Your Florida Home Can Lead to Mold and Moisture Damage

Whether it’s the hot, muggy summer air infiltrating your home while you’re waiting for air conditioner maintenance or a kitchen or bathroom with such bad ventilation that steam condenses and drips down the walls, humidity can really affect your home comfort. But that’s not all it can hurt: mold and moisture damage from high humidity can affect your home and your health, as well! Here’s what you need to know about moisture in your home:

When we talk about humidity, we’re usually talking about relative humidity. That’s the measure of how much moisture is in the air, compared to how much moisture the air can possibly hold. Air at 50 percent relative humidity could hold twice as much moisture as what’s in the air already. Air at 100 percent relative humidity can’t possibly hold any more water.

The warmer air is, the more moisture it can hold. That’s how an air conditioner can help control your humidity: as it cools air, it lowers air’s capacity to hold water, and forces the water out of your indoor air. It’s also why water condenses on cool surfaces, like on the side of your cold glass of lemonade, or on windows and other fixtures which are cooler than the inside air, or in cool spots of your house. And when condensation stays on your walls or gets into cracks and crevices in your furnishings, it can lead to mold and mildew. It can also begin to rot wood, warp wallpaper, and cause other structural issues.

During the summer, your indoor air should stay at about 40 to 60 percent relative humidity. On high humidity days, you may need more than just your A/C to manage. A whole-house dehumidifier can regulate moisture in your home, and if it’s just a few problem spots you’re worried about, there are portable models to consider as well.

To learn more about dehumidifier choices and how to prevent mold and moisture damage through the humid central Florida summers, call us at Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning today!

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Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning is a full-service heating and air conditioning company and a Bryant® Factory Authorized Dealer in Central Florida. Whether you need repair, maintenance, or installation of a new heating or cooling system, we provide efficient, cost-effective, and professional service. When it’s hot, call Scott!

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