• Dust can be controlled with routine cleaning, air filters and electrostatic air cleaners. Dust can consist of a lot of small particles, from outside dirt and pollen to skin cells and dander. Not only can dust cause respiratory annoyances, but it can also decrease the efficiency of your HVAC system by coating A/C coils and clogging air filters.
• Dust mites can be controlled by lowering humidity level and managing dust. Dust mite droppings and debris are one of the leading allergens in the United States. Fortunately, these mites can’t thrive in low-humidity environments, so a whole-house dehumidifier can help keep mites at bay during the most humid parts of the year.
• You can keep insects and roaches out of your home with effective sealing. Roaches love to hide in wall cavities, and it may not be practical (or safe for your indoor air quality) to use too many pesticides indoors. Instead, focus on removing any food sources they have, keeping your space clean and sealing any gaps and leaks around your home.
• Mold and mildew can be prevented with dehumidifiers and UV lights. Mold, mildew, bacteria and fungus spores all flourish in humid environments, so balancing your humidity is a basic preventative step. You might also consider installing sterilizing UV lights in your HVAC system to kill spores floating through your home.
• Pet dander can be caught with air cleaners and vacuums. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filtration for the best results, and if you have pets, change your air filters more often.

To learn more about protecting your family from indoor allergy triggers in Utica, Detroit, Oak Park and the surrounding communities, contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling!

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about allergies and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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There are a few things to remember when installing a dehumidifier in your home. Normally, if your humidity levels are over 50 percent during the winter, this could lead to mold growth. Make sure you monitor the humidity levels in your basement before running a device. This can be achieved by using a humidistat (or hygrometer).

Temperatures

Dehumidifiers are not very effective in extremely low temperatures. This is because dehumidifier coils attract water vapor, and if the temperatures drop too low — below 42 degrees Fahrenheit for example — the vapor would freeze, damaging your machine. This equipment works best in temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

A good alternative for a dehumidifier in these low temperatures is an electric heater. When used frequently in a day, an electric heater can reduce the water vapor in your basement.

Relative Humidity Levels

Always remember to frequently monitor your dehumidifier during the winter period. In the case of dangerously low temperatures, or if humidity falls below 30 percent, make sure you turn off your device. Alternatively, get a dehumidifier that allows you to set a humidity threshold, below which it can automatically turn itself off.

Aladdin Heating & Cooling can offer you expert advice on monitoring your home’s humidity levels, installing the right equipment and other maintenance issues. We have over 70 years of experience in the HVAC industry, and offer our clients in Southeast Michigan with the most reliable expertise. Contact us today, and let us assist you in testing your home’s air quality.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about dehumidifiers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Humidity Concerns

Dry conditions aggravate health conditions and are even thought to promote conveyance of flu viruses. A lack of humidity can also damage wood furnishings, causing cracks and damage over time. Alternatively, sweat evaporates more slowly on our skin in an environment with too much humidity, creating a muggy and uncomfortable home for everyone.

Purchase a Humidistat

The best way to accurately measure the humidity level in a home is to purchase a humidistat. A humidistat makes it easy to get a good idea of exactly how much moisture is present at any given time, allowing you to adjust moisture levels accordingly until you’ve reached the right middle ground. Remember that the ideal humidity is between 30 and 50 percent, depending on the season.

Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers

Humidifiers and dehumidifiers are probably the most effective way to get your moisture levels back in balance. These units come in portable models that can be taken from room to room while a whole-house humidification or dehumidification system, which is installed to work with the HVAC system, can help balance humidity for the entire home.

Sealing Air Leaks

Caulk and weatherstrip window and door frames, and invest in some door draft stoppers for the entryways of the home. Sealing air leaks will keep moisture from entering your home during the summer and retain a balanced moisture level during the winter.

If you are looking for the best service possible in the area of Warren or Orion, call Aladdin Heating & Cooling. Since 1945, Aladdin Heating & Cooling has earned a reputation for quality 24/7 service in the Detroit Metro area. Call 1-800-762-0079 to speak to a professional about balancing humidity in your home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Detroit, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about balancing home humidity and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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When the humidity exceeds 50 percent, the body has a harder time cooling itself because perspiration doesn’t evaporate quickly, leaving you feeling warm even in moderate temperatures. Anything that speeds evaporation will help you feel more comfortable, like fans or removing excess humidity from the air with dehumidifying appliances.

The options include portable appliances or whole-house systems. Both remove water from the air efficiently, but if you’re looking for convenience or have a large home, a central system is likely to work better. Central systems work with your forced-air heating and cooling equipment and pull the air from your home through the ductwork, where it blows over a cold coil. The water condenses and it drains the excessive water into your home’s plumbing system.

They use a humidistat to measure humidity levels and work just like the thermostat for your HVAC equipment. The ideal humidity in the air ranges between 30 and 50 percent, and you can set it for the level comfortable for you. The whole-house system does the work for you, with little maintenance on your part.

When you want spot humidity control, a portable dehumidifier could perform well for you in places like the basement where humidity tends to be higher. These appliances blow air over refrigerated coils and the water either drains into a plastic bucket or through a garden hose and into a drain. Some of these models have humidistats that turn them on and off automatically, based on your settings.

For more information about a dehumidifier and which type is best for your home, contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We’ve provided HVAC services for Southeastern Michigan, including Troy and Rochester Hills, for more than 65 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Detroit, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about dehumidifiers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Dehumidification

Air conditioners come with a dehumidifying function built-in, but many times this is unable to keep up with the level of moisture in the air during the summer. The result is cool but clammy air, making you feel hotter and less comfortable because of the unnatural amount of moisture in such cool air.

By adding humidity control, only a small amount of electricity is needed to draw a greater amount of water out of the air. Since dry air feels cooler than moist air, you can turn the air conditioner up two or three degrees without any change in comfort. Also, on mild days, you can run the dehumidifier without the air conditioner to save money while still feeling comfortable.

Humid summer air can cause musty smells, damage to wood furnishings and mold growth. Humidity control prevents these issues while saving you money and making you more comfortable.

Humidification

Furnaces don’t come with a humidifying function, so humidity control in winter is essential for a comfortable interior. Without a humidifier, you may find yourself bumping the furnace up several degrees in order to feel warm because the air is so dry.

With humidity control, you can add moisture to the air in the winter to help you feel warmer and more comfortable. Humidifiers help prevent cracked, dry skin, damage to wood furnishings, static shock and dry sinuses.

In the end, humidity control is the key to comfort and energy savings all year round. To learn more, please contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We proudly serve residents of southeast Michigan.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about humidity control and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Aladdin Heating services Novi, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Oak Park, Ferndale, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Twp., Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Madison Heights, Clawson, Sterling Heights, Warren, Troy, St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Detroit, Utica, Shelby Twp., Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Lake Orion, Oxford, and Clarkston. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

The air holds different quantities of water when it’s at different temperatures. Warmer air holds more humidity, which is why hot summers can be so uncomfortable in Southeast Michigan. An air conditioner removes a limited portion of this humidity, but only as a by-product of the cooling process. To really control moisture in your home, you need a system specifically designed for dehumidification.

A whole-house dehumidifier works in conjunction with your HVAC system and ductwork. As indoor air passes through, moisture is collected into a tub and piped out of the house. When your air conditioner is running, a dehumidifier will work in conjunction with it, creating a cohesive system that will control moisture in your home without allowing things to get too dry. When the A/C is off, the dehumidifier runs on its own.

Taking steps to control moisture in your home can:

• Reduce the presence of dust mites, which thrive in humid conditions and can contribute to allergies and respiratory problems.
• Put a stop to feelings of mugginess or stuffiness, even in those rooms that always seem to be too humid.
• Make you feel cooler by removing heavy moisture from the air. Since you’ll be more comfortable, you may not have to keep the thermostat adjusted so low.
• Prevent mold growth in walls and on equipment. If you see even a little mold growing in your home, it’s a good bet there’s a whole system of mold growing right there behind the scenes.
• Help eliminate musty or foul odors resulting from mildew.

If you live in Lake Orion, St. Clair Shores, Grosse Point, or Southeast Michigan in general and have questions about how to control moisture in your home, call Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We’ve been serving your community since 1945, and we’ll be happy to serve you!

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about dehumidifiers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Aladdin Heating services Novi, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Oak Park, Ferndale, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Twp., Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Madison Heights, Clawson, Sterling Heights, Warren, Troy, St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Detroit, Utica, Shelby Twp., Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Lake Orion, Oxford, and Clarkston. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Humidifier image via Shutterstock

How do you know if excess humidity exists in your home? Here are a few things you may experience:

• Your home may have a musty odor when the air outside is humid.
• If your home is very damp or even wet, you will notice a continuous musty odor and could actually see damp spots on floors and walls.
• Certain areas of your home may appear to “sweat.”
• You may notice mold or mildew in certain areas of your home such as bathrooms.

A dehumidifier works to pull the excess moisture out of the air inside your home, eliminating these problems. Those who suffer from allergies and respiratory problems usually fare better when the air is drier due to the decrease in mold, mildew and dust mites.

Moist, sticky air can be downright uncomfortable, not to mention the damage it can do to your home. A dehumidifier works by drawing the air inside your home in to the unit, collecting condensation in a bucket or pan, then placing dry air back in to the atmosphere. Most are easy to use, and can be placed against a wall if equipped with a top-mounted discharge.

Ideally, the humidity level inside your home should be about 30 percent to 50 percent in summer months and 40 percent maximum in colder months to prevent condensation from forming on windows.

If your home feels uncomfortably moist or sticky, consider a dehumidifier to ensure your family’s health and make the air inside your home cool, dry and comfortable.

With over 65 years in the heating/cooling industry, Aladdin Heating & Coolingoffers reliable, professional service to our customers. Have questions about making your home more comfortable and energy efficient this summer?  Give us a call. We’re glad to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about dehumidifiers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Aladding Heating & Cooling services the Detroit, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!