Florida is known for its spectacular beaches, exciting and fun-filled resorts, and even for its native wildlife. Unfortunately, Florida is also known for its high relative humidity. High indoor humidity levels not only make you feel uncomfortable, but they can also cause problems related to mold growth, damage to paper and fiber, and excess wear and tear on your air conditioning system. As your local Carrier Factory Authorized Dealers, our team at Sun Kool Air Conditioning, Inc. offers this advice on how you can combat Florida’s humidity and enjoy a more comfortable home environment.
What Is Relative Humidity?
The relative humidity is a ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor in the air to the saturated vapor pressure of air at a particular temperature. What this technical definition means in everyday terms is how comfortable a person feels at a given temperature and amount of water pressure in the air. Humidity is measured with a device called a hygrometer. Central air conditioning systems, ventilators, and dehumidifiers use a humidistat, also called a hygrostat, to control indoor humidity levels.
The Role That Humidity Plays in Indoor Comfort
The human body relies upon evaporative cooling from the skin to get rid of excess heat from the metabolic process. When the humidity is high, the perspiration process is not as effective. This will result in a person feeling uncomfortable. People feel less comfortable at a cooler temperature with a higher humidity level than they do at a higher temperature with a lower humidity level. The human comfort level is measured by the heat index and the humidex. If you have ever wondered, “What should my home’s humidity be?”, the answer is 50 to 60 percent for the best level of comfort and the minimizing of problems such as mold growth and damage to wood.
How to Achieve Indoor Comfort in Your Ocala FL Home
The best way to combat Florida’s consistently high humidity levels is to take advantage of your home’s heating and cooling system. In addition to the air conditioner, you can add components specifically designed to reduce indoor humidity. Some options include:
- Ventilators. These work with your home heating and cooling system to help turn over the indoor air at a faster rate. The increased ventilation will help your body feel cooler.
- Dehumidifiers. Built-in dehumidification systems work alongside the air conditioner in extracting excess moisture from the air. The lower humidity level reduces AC wear and tear and helps you feel more comfortable.
- A stand-alone dehumidification unit can also help lower humidity. You can place these in problem spots within your home, such as the basement, crawl space or a bathroom where humidity levels are high.
For information about our current specials to lower your home’s humidity, call us at Sun Kool Air Conditioning any time.
