Is a Whole-Home Dehumidifier Right for Me?

We can all agree that strong humidity and adverse weather conditions are horrible. One of the best ways to combat these situations is by installing a whole-home dehumidifier, especially if you don’t want to put a dehumidifier in every room.

For any homeowner, whether their place of living is big or small, making the right choice about permanent installations is important. That’s why it’s essential that you determine if a new whole-home dehumidifier is really something you want to install.

There are many reasons to want to add a dehumidifier to your home, but also a few to make you think twice. Let’s look at whole-house dehumidifiers and what goes into installing them.

Is a Whole-Home Dehumidifier Right for Me?

Before you can think about installing a whole-home (or whole-house) dehumidifier, you should ask yourself if it’s the right move for you and your household.

If you have excess moisture in your home or basement or any musty smells, you’ll definitely benefit from a dehumidifier. People with allergies that flare up when the indoor humidity levels rise can also improve the quality of their lives with dehumidifiers.

Whole-House Dehumidifier

So, you may be wondering what exactly a whole-house dehumidifier is supposed to do. Basically, it helps to control the humidity levels in your entire home. It does so by taking the excess moisture and piping it through a drainage system or dumping it into a reservoir.

A whole-house dehumidifier can be a lot more effective and economical than portable options and is preferred by most homeowners.

Whole-House Dehumidifier Pros and Cons

To get a clear picture of the benefits and drawbacks of a whole-house dehumidifier, we’ve compiled a list of pros and cons that can help you decide.

Pros

• Efficient cooling
• Better air quality
• The entire house is dehumidified
• Mold growth reduced
• More energy-efficient
• Out of sight
• Cooler home
• Runs quietly

Cons

• Can be costly

What Are Some Signs You Need a Dehumidifier?

There are several indicators that will make it clear whether or not you will benefit from installing a whole-house dehumidifier in your home.

Here are just a few of the signs that you need a dehumidifier:

Air Full of Bacteria

Generally, the air is full of bacteria and fungal spores. While this is normal, high humidity can lead to the spores growing in colonies. This can lead to mold growth, which is not a good thing.

General Uncomfortability

High humidity is uncomfortable, no matter how you look at it. If the body can’t cool down because it’s too humid for sweat to evaporate, you’re going to feel very uncomfortable.

Corrosion

Condensation in the house can lead to the corrosion of metal doors and windows. In extreme cases, high humidity can even ruin your wooden floors because it expands and curls. Wood framing and interior woodwork can also rot.

What’s Involved With Installation?

You’ll need to get a professional to install a whole-house dehumidifier. There will be some changes made to the home because the system needs to be able to reach every room to improve the air quality.

A new return air vent will have to be installed that can blow the air into the supply plenum. This might call for extra ductwork as well.

Conclusion

A whole-house dehumidifier is definitely a good idea if you live in a humid area. Although it can be a costly affair, you will save money on cooling in the long run, and everyone in your home will enjoy improved air quality and won’t have to endure discomfort due to moisture in the air.

To get your whole-house dehumidifier installed the right way,  contact HVAC and Home Air Quality Solutions in the Sacramento Area today!