Florida ranks as one of the most humid states in the country. With humidity levels sitting at around 74% on average, this moisture can negatively affect homes in Palm Beach and surrounding areas. Your HVAC humidity control features actually help you prevent serious issues in the home. Leaking pipes or standing water are not the only causes of moisture problems. Excess moisture from humidity can cause mold infestations throughout the home. Mold begets more mold as spores make their way through your living space.
At CMi A/C & Electrical, we want to help you use your HVAC systems to prevent mold in the home. Any excess moisture provides a breeding ground for biological growth. Musty odors and mildew present nasty problems in their own right. Once mold settles in, however, it goes from gross to dangerous. Understanding how your HVAC system deals with air in your home helps you lower humidity levels.
Why Humidity Problems Can Lead to Mold
Indoor humidity levels that are too high create moisture in the home. Mold requires moisture, warmth, and a food source. The area’s high humidity leads to moisture that settles over a variety of surfaces. Your ceiling, walls, vents, and under-cabinet areas serve as ideal breeding grounds for mold. It starts off as just moisture, and people often find this hard to see. You are not necessarily looking at actual wet spots that drip. The areas are just damp.
Your indoor air quality serves as your warning sign that something is going on in your home. Keep reading for a thorough list of these warning signs.
How Your HVAC System Helps Control Indoor Moisture
Your AC unit does a lot more than provide cool air. It also pulls a lot of moisture out of the home. Your unit’s evaporator coil pulls in warm indoor air. This causes condensation, and that water drains away. In Florida, HVAC humidity control is a must. Your unit relies on several factors to handle the humidity levels properly:
- Proper system sizing
- Steady airflow
- Clean filters
- Evaporator coil performance
- Efficient performance
- Adequate runtime
- Regular maintenance
Systems that are damaged or too large for a home may short-cycle. This happens when the AC kicks on and shuts off too frequently, not running long enough to properly regulate moisture. Systems that lack proper airflow also cannot pull enough moisture out of the home. Keeping up with your AC maintenance helps ensure your unit can properly handle your indoor humidity levels.
Signs Your HVAC System May Not Be Managing Humidity Well
Mold and HVAC performance levels go hand in hand. As long as your AC handles your humidity well, you should not have an issue. Let’s go over the warning signs:
- The house feels sticky and uncomfortable
- Warm feeling when the AC is running
- Musty smells in the home
- Condensation around vents or windows
- Uneven comfort from room to room
- Damp walls, ceilings, or cabinets
- Recurring dust or air quality complaints
- Visible mildew near registers
This is your indoor air quality telling you that a problem exists: your air contains too much moisture. Mold does not happen instantly. It results from prolonged high humidity levels in the home.
Simple Ways Homeowners Can Help Reduce Indoor Humidity
Most homeowners do not think about mold and HVAC performance until they deal with mold. You must be proactive about the health of your home. Maintaining a dry environment requires an AC unit that runs well. In Florida, HVAC humidity control is a given if your equipment operates efficiently. Here are things you can do to ensure proper operation:
- Change your AC filters regularly
- Keep up with AC maintenance
- Ensure vents are unobstructed
- Ensure your unit is draining
- Use kitchen and bath exhaust fans
- Call us for an inspection
Contacting the pros helps with most of these steps. We ensure your AC operates at peak efficiency levels. This simple step helps prevent mold in the home. It also improves your AC performance overall. It may even lower your monthly energy bills.
When It Is Time to Call an HVAC Professional
If your home continues to feel damp or you notice recurring mold and HVAC issues, call the professionals. Persistent humidity often indicates a deeper underlying issue. Your unit may be improperly sized, or you could face mechanical failure. Perhaps your unit does not drain properly. We diagnose and fix all of these issues.
CMi A/C & Electrical is a trusted local resource for Palm Beach, Jupiter, and the surrounding areas. As a full-service HVAC company, we handle a wide range of AC issues. We deal with central units, heat pumps, and AC-specific mini-splits. Our technicians also handle ductwork issues. We offer indoor air quality products that help improve your home’s environment. For over 30 years, we have served our community with professionalism and quality workmanship. Do not wait until mold becomes a serious issue in the home.
Contact CMi A/C & Electrical today for more information about your AC and mold control in Palm Beach.
