The Effects of Summer Humidity on Your Health and Home

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Depiction of humidity that causes water droplets on glass with H2O written in the water.

According to the Florida Climate Center, Florida is the most humid state in the USA. Paired with record-breaking temperatures, high levels of humidity can be harmful to your health and home. There are many ways to reduce humidity in your household. Let’s explore some of the ways to keep you, your family, and your property safe from heat and humidity damage.

Humidity Explained

To understand humidity, you’ll first need to know that there is water in the form of a gas in the air at all times. Humidity is the concentration of water vapor in the air. The higher the humidity is in a given space, the more damp or wet it will feel.

When heat levels are high, your body’s natural response should be to perspire. At that moment, the body cools down. When humidity levels are high, the warm moisture remains on your body for longer – making you feel even more hot and exhausted. Weather services refer to this as the ‘heat index.’

Let’s say the thermometer in your backyard reads 95°F with a relative humidity of 67 percent. The heat index, which is the temperature your body feels, is 120°F. An ideal relative humidity for health and comfort is between 30-50 percent.

High heat paired with high humidity can contribute to fatigue, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke – not to mention a higher electricity bill thanks to the added strain on your AC!

Health Problems Caused by High Humidity Levels

High levels of humidity can increase harmful concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In your home, VOCs exist in things like paints, cleaning products and wood preservatives.

When humidity levels are high, more VOCs find their way into the air making it easier for us to inhale them. Studies show that breathing in too many of these irritants can be very harmful to our health.

When humidity levels are high, you might suffer from any of these problems:

  • A blocked nose
  • Itchy eyes
  • A cough
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Muscle cramps
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue

People who suffer from long-term health issues like arthritis are also more likely to feel joint pain on humid days.

Controlling Adverse Factors Related to High Humidity

Mold, mildew spores and dust mites all love a humid environment. Exposure to these substances can make your allergies, asthma, or respiratory symptoms far worse.

Certain viruses and bacteria also thrive in a humid environment. For instance, experts believe that, in order to keep COVID-19 at bay, keeping your home well ventilated and humidity at 40%-60% is optimal to reduce the spread of the virus.

The best way to control humidity levels in your home is through your central air conditioning system. Assuming your AC is the correct size, it will greatly help in removing heat and humidity from the home.

Other ways to reduce humidity levels include:

  • Using exhaust or ventilation fans
  • Purchasing a dehumidifier
  • Fix leaking pipes and faucets
  • Clean your air filters and make sure there are no leaks in your ac system
  • Placing charcoal briquettes in a basket can actually help absorb moisture from the air

How High Humidity Can Damage Your Home

When the humidity in a room is too high, it can cause damage to the internal components of any electronics you may have.

Condensation is a key indicator that there is too much moisture on or around an electrical component.  Condensation happens when warmer air comes in contact with a cool surface. If condensation builds up inside an electrical component, it can cause rust and corrosion. This can even lead them to short-circuit. Maintaining the temperature and humidity at a reasonable level reduces condensation.

Furnishings and Home Décor

Excess moisture in the air contributes to mildew and mold growth on surfaces and home furnishings such as walls, curtains, carpets, and furniture. Drywall can collect moisture over time, causing mold buildup or even weakening the structural integrity of your home. Woodwork and moldings might also swell and expand in moist conditions, leading to further structural damage.

Live a Healthier and More Comfortable Life

Humidity can be a burden on your health and home. However, keeping your air conditioner maintained and in peak condition can be your best line of defense. At Scott’s Heating and Air Conditioning, our mission is to ensure our customers are living in a comfortable home. If your air conditioner is not working correctly or if you feel as though your house may be too humid, contact us. We will come out right away to help diagnose the issue.

  
 

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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Wonderful team of professionals. Everything was first rate, the installers were excellent .
Scott's Heating & Air Conditioning is one of the very best companies that I have ever dealt with. Each and every employee is very knowledgeable, polite, effecient, and responds quickly to each task. The products and prices are reasonable, and quality is excellent. I highly recommend Scott's Heating & Air Conditioning!
Caca B
Caca B
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Great crew; on time, knowledgeable and professional. Excellent installation of new system.
Linda Baker
Linda Baker
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Very happy with their work
Eric Garms
Eric Garms
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Oh my god what an amazing company! I literally called one hour ago and said that my thermostat wasn’t working and there was a knock on my door within the hour! They told us what to do to fix it therefore saving us a $600 bill. They came right away, none of that we can see you in 48 hour junk. Amazing.
V Js
V Js
1693328507
They were able to provide me with same day service, friendly and very responsive. Also, I got 2 other quotes and the pricing was the most competitive.
So thankful and impressed! My dad returned home after having open heart surgery to a completely dead HVAC system in the middle of summer. Definitely not ideal. The repair was going to be pricey so he opted for a new unit. A crew came out on a Saturday and did a very clean and efficient install. Highly recommend this company!!!
Brooke Riley
Brooke Riley
1692362381
Very professional, work very neat and cleaned up and removed stuff. Very impressed with all of the staff and the company.
Our AC decided to quit during one of the hottest heatwaves in years. We called Scott's and someone was at the house to give us a quote in 30 min. From the moment they answered our first phone call through the install everyone was amazing, professional and provided a quality product and excellent service. Craig, Jose, Dexter were awesome! One of the new guys brought us a portable unit at 9:30 PM on a Friday so we could sleep. We missed his name, but shout out to him as well (he likes to give high fives). Thanks Scott and team for everything. We highly recommend!!!
K Harper
K Harper
1692132893
For the past week I've worked with Craig on getting estimates for a new A/C unit, and he has been great at answering my questions and addressing any concerns. Very responsive and knowledgeable, straight shooter and direct! I didn't have to deal with any up-selling like working with a used car salesman (I experienced that with other bigger local A/C companies providing quotes). For these qualities alone I would recommend Scott's A/C, even though I will disclose that we ultimately went with another quote from a family referral of an A/C company. Had that family referral not been apart of our consideration, we would definitely choose and recommend Scott's for new A/C installs and service!
rwoodunder
rwoodunder
1691677447
Dan in sales, outstanding jobgoing over equipment and helping us make what was the best decisions for us on purchasing new a/cinstall, plus scheduling the next day!Boris and Justin were excellent with communications while install and after! very clean, professional taking old out and installing new!ty
T F
T F
1690829348
We can't thank Scott's enough. We came home to a air conditioner barely limping along. I called Scott's first thing in the morning and they had a technician out that day. Unfortunately our system could not be saved. The salesman Craig came out that day as well and quoted a new system. Since it was a Friday we could not get the system installed until Tuesday. Scott's provided us with a portable system which definitely helped during the grueling heat wave in Central Florida. Tuesday came, the installers showed up on time and did an awesome installation job. Cleaned everything up and went on their way. Everyone was pleasant, professional and great to work with! Thank You Scott's Heating & Cooling!
Rodger Marty
Rodger Marty
1689943584
Always happy with their response time. Issue started last night causing our A/C unit to shut down. Made a call to Scott's Heating and Air in the morning and a tech was here by 10:45am. Tyrie, the tech, is awesome. He quickly took care of the problem and had us up and running in no time at all. He is knowledgeable and professional and did a great job.
Perfect company to do business with. Professional and courteous in all phases of project.
Ron Brenton
Ron Brenton
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Excellent response and service. After 25 years of being serviced by a competitor I decided to change companies. AC was out and in need of replacement. Within 24 hours we had the sales rep here and new unit going in for a reasonable expense. No upselling, phony money savings, or timeshare presentations- just a new system without being targeted and pressured into pricey newer technology that will also become obsolete and non reparable every system cycle. I’m recommending to everyone looking for a new provider
Bill Sumner
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1688123609
Excellent job getting my new system installed. Friendly and professional staff. Would recommend this company to anyone who needs ac work done.
Michael Imlay
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My a/c went out on a Sunday during a holiday weekend. I called and they had someone out there within a couple of hours to repair it! Great service
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All are very responsive and professional! Great job!
Diane Layton
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Scott’s saved the day for us this evening. Our A/C stopped working and it got hot inside quickly, which was more complicated because I’m 36 weeks pregnant. Scott’s was responsive to our call and within two hours someone had come and fixed our unit!
Kaley Gilford
Kaley Gilford
1681601593
20 out of 10 this place is amazing. The techs are always awesome. Super knowledgeable, friendly, polite and quick. They are prompt about appointments and always show up within the time frame. They always keep me cool and I cannot appreciate you guys enough!
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