Did you know that five of the top ten most humid cities in the US are in Texas? While Texas shares North America’s largest desert with Mexico, its Southeast region is a far cry from the arid, tumbleweed-dotted landscape we often associate with The Lone Star State. Cities near the Gulf of Mexico in particular, experience especially high humidity. In fact, Houston—the state’s most populous city—ranks number 10 in the country, with an average humidity level of 75%.
This comes as no surprise to residents of the Bayou City, who are all too familiar with the effects indoor humidity can have on how comfortable a home feels. When the air is too humid, it creates a hot, sticky atmosphere, making the temperature feel much higher than it actually is. With Houston also ranking as one of the hottest cities in the United States, the combination of heat and humidity can go beyond being a discomfort, negatively impacting your health, home, and budget.
This combination of high temperature and humidity makes even the best air conditioning systems struggle to keep your home comfortable. If you’ve been wondering whether your air conditioner is enough to handle Houston’s humidity or if a whole-house dehumidifier is a better solution, Houk AC is here to guide you. Let’s go through the importance of air dehumidification and how it impacts your indoor environment.
Humidity’s Effect on Indoor Comfort
Humidity levels can have serious effects on your home and health. While high humidity certainly makes your home feel hotter and stickier, the impact goes far beyond personal comfort. Moist air can lead to structural issues, promote allergens, and affect your overall well-being. Here are some common ways high humidity can impact your home:
- Increased discomfort: High humidity makes it harder for your body to cool itself because sweat doesn’t evaporate as effectively.
- Stuffy air: The air can feel heavy and oppressive, even when your air conditioner is running.
- Condensation: Humid air can cause condensation on windows and walls, leading to mold and mildew.
- Health concerns: High humidity can exacerbate allergies and asthma, especially with the growth of mold and dust mites.
More To Know About Humidity in Houston
Houston experiences significant humidity fluctuations throughout the day and across seasons. In the mornings, humidity often reaches around 90%, creating a muggy environment. By the afternoon, levels typically drop to 55-63%, providing some relief but still maintaining high moisture in the air.
Seasonally, September is the most humid month, with an average humidity of 77%, while March, the least humid, still averages 73%. These persistent moisture levels make it crucial for homeowners to consider solutions like a whole-house dehumidifier to manage indoor humidity, reducing discomfort and potential health risks.
Whole-House Dehumidifier: A Solution to Humidity Problems
A whole-house dehumidifier is designed to control humidity throughout your entire home so that the air remains comfortable and healthy. Here’s how they work and why they’re the perfect solution for high-humidity regions like Houston.
How Air Dehumidification Works
Whole-house dehumidifiers connect to your home’s HVAC system, pulling air from different rooms to remove moisture in the air, and returning dry air throughout the home. They typically use a refrigeration process to condense and remove moisture.
Key Features of Whole-House Dehumidifiers
Whole-house dehumidifiers offer powerful moisture control, with the ability to remove up to 100 pints of moisture daily. They are designed to handle homes as large as 5,500 square feet or more, ensuring comprehensive coverage throughout your space. Many models are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they operate efficiently, helping you save on energy costs.
These systems also feature automatic operation, using built-in humidistats to maintain your desired humidity levels. Additionally, they come equipped with continuous drainage options, eliminating the need for manual emptying and making them convenient to use.
Installation and Maintenance
While they offer comprehensive coverage, whole-house dehumidifiers should be professionally installed and require periodic maintenance, such as filter cleaning and servicing.
The Benefits of Air Dehumidification for Air Quality
When the amount of moisture in the air is kept in check, your overall air quality improves significantly. Here’s how air dehumidification helps:
- Reduces allergens: Humidity creates the perfect environment for mold and dust mites, both of which can trigger allergies and asthma.
- Prevents mold growth: Lower humidity levels inhibit the development of mold and mildew, which can damage your home and pose health risks.
- Cleaner air: Less moisture means fewer airborne particles like dust and dander.
Additional Benefits of Air Dehumidification
Beyond air quality, a whole-house dehumidifier has these additional benefits:
- Enhanced comfort: Maintains humidity between 30-50%, the ideal range for comfort.
- Energy efficiency: Lowers the load on your AC, saving on energy bills.
- Protection for your home: Prevents damage to wood, electronics, and furnishings caused by water vapor.
Do Air Conditioners Dehumidify Enough?
A common question homeowners ask is, “Do air conditioners dehumidify?” The answer is yes, but with limitations. Air conditioners do provide some dehumidification by cooling the air, which causes moisture to condense on the evaporator coils and drain away. However, this dehumidification is incidental to their primary function of cooling and is not sufficient to control humidity independently.
In very humid climates, air conditioners don’t remove enough moisture to keep your home comfortable. Oversized AC units, in particular, tend to cool the air too quickly, leaving humidity levels unchecked. Additionally, issues like dirty coils or refrigerant leaks can further reduce their ability to dehumidify. In Houston’s subtropical climate, a whole-house dehumidifier is often necessary to manage moisture levels effectively and improve indoor air quality.
Breathe Easier with Whole-House Dehumidification
Moisture removal is crucial to creating a comfortable and healthy indoor environment, especially in regions like Houston, where humidity can reach oppressive levels.
While air conditioners help with some humidity control, they are not designed to handle the high moisture levels typical of humid climates. A whole-house dehumidifier provides consistent, efficient moisture control, improved air quality, and comfort while protecting your belongings and reducing energy bills.
If you’re ready to tackle humidity and improve your home’s air quality, contact Houk AC today to learn more about installing a whole-house dehumidifier. We’re here to help you stay cool and comfortable all year long.
Keep Humidity in Check With Houk AC in Houston, TX
Since 1962, Houk AC has provided full-service HVAC services, including air quality control and dehumidification, to Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, Texas. Whether you’re dealing with muggy mornings or year-round humidity, contact Houk AC today at 833-313-5532 or schedule a service online and our experienced team will restore safety and comfort to your home.
