Controlling Your Humidity and Airflow

With fuel and electricity costs on the rise, today’s homes are sealed and insulated better than ever. While this helps reduce utility bills by keeping heated or cooled air from escaping, it can create uncomfortable living conditions. That’s because the same air is continuously circulated throughout the home. A lack of fresh air can make the air feel heavy and overly warm. It can also lead to humidity imbalances and put homes at risk for damage from mold.

The perfect answer to indoor air quality problems?

To ensure proper air circulation and quality, the average home should have at least .35 ACH (air changes per hour). Many newer, tightly sealed homes have an ACH rating as low as .05, which can lead to an uncomfortable and unhealthy buildup of moisture and pollutants.

Source: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.

Solution: Dehumidification (removing moisture)

If the air in your home feels muggy, you may have a problem with humidity. Other telltale signs include:

• Flaking paint
• Peeling wallpaper
• Condensation on windows
• Damp spots or stains on walls and ceilings
• Damaged or rotted wood materials
• Musty smells
• Insect infestation

The Humiditrol® whole-home dehumidification system works with your central heating and cooling system* to manage moisture levels, so you can enjoy greater comfort. And dry air feels cooler, so you may be able to set your thermostat higher and save money, and be more comfortable at the same time.

If you’re like most people, you may try to cope with high humidity by lowering your thermostat while your air conditioner is running. But this can increase your utility bills and make your home feel too cold, rather than comfortable.

*Designed for integration with a two-stage air conditioner with R410A refrigerant, variable speed air handler and ComfortSense™ 7000 Series Touchscreen Thermostat.

Solutions: Humidification (adding moisture)

Healthy Climate® humidifiers, working together with your central comfort system, help maintain just the right moisture levels. With three capacities and two control options, you can trust Healthy Climate humidifiers to provide the right solution for your home’s needs.

Power Humidifier

Equipped with a built-in fan, a flow-through or power humidifier circulates humidified air throughout your home via your furnace duct system.

Bypass Humidifier

This system uses a damper (similar to a valve) to control and direct humidified air to each room in your home.

Solution: Fresh-air ventilation

Healthy Climate ventilation systems replace stagnant indoor air with cleaner air from outside. They offer the fresh-air feel of an open window, with little or no loss of heat or energy.

Energy-Recovery Ventilator (ERV)

Ideal for high-humidity climates, an ERV draws stale, moisture-laden air from inside the house and vents it outside, replacing it with an equal amount of fresh air.

Heat-Recovery Ventilator (HRV)

Also known as air-to-air heat exchangers, HRVs are similar to ERVs, but are designed for cooler climates. They retain heat from indoor air and transfer it to the airstream coming from outside.

Source: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.

Why should you keep your home’s air clean?

Poor air quality can lead to poor health. Humidity inside your home has the same impact on your comfort as humidity outside. Too much moisture can make you feel sluggish, weak and even sick. Too little can leave you feeling cold and achy. The flow of air is also a factor. If it isn’t moving freely from room to room, your home can feel stuffy or stale. This also causes unpleasant odors to linger.

How To Solve the Problem of Uncomfortable Air

*National studies indicate that, for optimal comfort and health, your home’s relative humidity levels should range between 35 and 50 percent.

**Exposure to excessively dry air (relative humidity of less than 20%) can cause respiratory irritation. Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.