You may not realize it, but high indoor humidity levels can wreak havoc in your home and even cause health problems for some family members.
Typically, your air conditioner should regulate humidity levels, but if you feel your indoor humidity is getting out of control, call Central Heating and let one of our experts recommend an AC dehumidifier installation.
Did you know the air inside your home is often more polluted than outside? Call Central Heating to find out how much cleaner your air can be with an air purifier installation.
Signs You May Need an AC Dehumidifier
Indoor humidity isn’t always a bad thing; it prevents wood from cracking and keeps your skin from drying out. However, too much humidity can cause problems.
Here are the most common signs you might need a dehumidifier.
Your AC Can’t Keep Keep Up
Besides keeping you cool, part of your air conditioner’s role is to remove humidity through its evaporator coils to make the air feel cooler and more pleasant.
However, if your home has excessive amounts of humidity, the air conditioner won’t keep up, and the indoor air is thick and muggy, which is the opposite of what you want. Adding an AC dehumidifier will give your system the extra power it needs to keep humidity levels to a minimum.
Your Doors Don’t Shut Properly
If your doors have tight tolerances, excess humidity causes the wood in your doors and frames to swell, making it difficult to close your doors.
Window Condensation
Condensation on your windows is a telltale sign that you have high humidity levels in your home. This problem typically happens when it’s cold outside as excess moisture collides with your windows and forms a soggy mess.
Mildew Odours
You may not see mildew growing in your home, but often you can smell it. So, if you notice a faint odour of mildew, an AC dehumidifier might be the solution for solving the problem.
At Central Heating, we have over a decade’s worth of experience in AC dehumidifier installation and dehumidifier repair. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation.
Dehumidifier Maintenance Checklist
As mentioned, a dehumidifier draws moisture from the air to keep you cool and discourage mould and mildew growth. And while dehumidifiers don’t require much maintenance, there are a few things you should do to ensure the system performs at optimum efficiency.
Here’s a handy checklist you can refer to keep your dehumidifier clean and functioning correctly.
Clean the Water Collection Tank
Your dehumidifier’s water collection tank requires frequent emptying, but it’s also essential to clean it as well because it can become a breeding ground for mould and mildew. Use soap with warm water or a mild disinfectant at least once a week to clean the tank.
Clean the Air Intake & Exhaust Grills
Because dehumidifiers typically run day and night, the intake and exhaust grills become caked with dust and debris. When cleaning the tank, use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clean the grills to remove dust and blockages that can impede performance.
Be Mindful of Dehumidifier Placement
For best performance, it’s recommended that you place your dehumidifier at least six inches away from the wall so the air intake and exhaust can work efficiently.
Adjust the Humidistat
The humidistat controls the humidity levels in your room, so for optimal comfort, it’s recommended that you set the humidistat between 40 and 50 percent.
Replace or Clean the Filter
Like your air conditioner, the dehumidifier filter gets dirty and needs regular cleaning or replacing to keep the system running correctly and the humidity levels where you want them. Also, maintaining a clean filter ensures you’re getting cleaner indoor air.
Contact a Professional
Lastly, if you’ve followed these routine maintenance tasks but your system isn’t performing as desired, call a professional HVAC technician for AC dehumidifier repair or replacement.
Central Heating also provides humidifier solutions for homes with excessively dry air.
When to Call for AC Dehumidifier Repair
While a dehumidifier is designed to run without issue for years, sometimes, problems arise that require the help of trained professionals.
Here are the most common signs that you need to call an HVAC pro for your dehumidifier repair.
Low Water Levels
If your dehumidifier runs continuously and the water collection tank remains empty, it could be a problem with the refrigeration unit. Before calling a professional, try changing or cleaning the filter, and if that fails to fix the problem, call Central Heating for help.
The System Stops Running
When the indicator light is on, and the unit isn’t running, it usually means the collection tank is full. However, if you’ve checked the tank and it’s empty, try repositioning it to see if it reactivates the system. If that doesn’t work, call a professional for an inspection.
No Air
Your dehumidifier has a fan that pulls air from the room and pushes it over the coils. If the system is running, but you have no air coming out, it could mean the fan motor has burned out and needs replacing.
Frost on the Coils
As with your air conditioner, the dehumidifier uses evaporator coils to remove heat from the air, and these coils get cold when the unit is running. However, if the temperature gets too cold, it will condense and freeze.
