High humidity levels can make your home uncomfortable and even lead to various issues like mold growth and reduced indoor air quality. While whole-house Dehumidifiers are excellent for tackling excess moisture, many wonder if they also provide the added benefit of cooling the air. In the summer months when it seems like your air conditioner is working non-stop, but your home still seems very humid – could a Dehumidifier cool the air in your home, too?

Doc Dancer Heating & Air explains how a whole-home dehumidifier works and how it can help make your home more comfortable. Then, if you think a dehumidifier would be a solution for your Fort Wayne area home, you can call us for an estimate on installation.

How A Whole-House Dehumidifier Works

Whole-house dehumidifiers are integrated into your HVAC system, making them a permanent solution for controlling indoor humidity. Here’s a brief overview of how they operate:

• Air Circulation: These dehumidifiers work by drawing in warm, moist air from your home through your return ducts.
• Cooling Process: The incoming air passes over coils within the dehumidifier. These coils are cooled by refrigerant, causing the moisture in the air to condense into water droplets.
• Water Removal: The condensed moisture is collected and typically drained away, through a dedicated drain line.
• Dry Air Return: The now dehumidified and drier air is returned to your home through the supply ducts, lowering the overall humidity level.

Do Dehumidifiers Cool the Air?

Whole-house dehumidifiers are primarily designed to remove moisture from the air, not to actively cool it. However, there is an indirect cooling effect associated with dehumidifiers.

As the dehumidifier processes the warm, humid air, it often lowers the temperature of the air slightly. This cooling effect can make your home feel more comfortable, especially during hot and humid summer months. However, it’s important to note that this cooling effect is not the primary function of the dehumidifier and should not be relied upon as a substitute for an air conditioner. When there is humid air outside, the temperature often feels hot. The same is true indoors. When the relative humidity in your home is high, your home will feel warmer than it actually is. A dehumidifier will help a room feel cooler but doesn’t blow cold air to cool the room.

Air conditioners have dehumidifying capabilities but in extremely humid climates, for those with older air conditioning units, or homeowners who are looking to save a little on cooling costs, a dehumidifier is a great solution to these issues. As air conditioners age, their dehumidification capabilities weaken, making it harder to remove excess moisture from the air.

Whole-house dehumidifiers are better than portable dehumidifiers because they can service the entire home, not just a designated area. Bathrooms, kitchens, and other rooms with sinks in them and no windows are especially prone to high humidity levels which can lead to mold growth. A whole-house dehumidifier can preserve the value of your home by stopping mold growth and other moisture damage issues.

Signs You Should Add A Dehumidifier to Your Home

Now that we understand how whole-house dehumidifiers work and their limited cooling effect, let’s explore some signs that indicate you might need one in your home:

• Excess Humidity: If your home constantly feels muggy or sticky, or if you notice condensation on windows, walls, or ceilings, it’s a sign that your indoor humidity levels are too high.
• Mold and Mildew Growth: Mold and mildew thrive in high-humidity environments. If you see mold spots or experience a musty odor, it’s a strong indicator of excessive moisture.
• Allergies and Respiratory Issues: High humidity can worsen indoor air quality, triggering allergies and respiratory problems. Dehumidifiers can help maintain healthier air.
• Warped Wood or Peeling Paint: Excessive moisture can damage your home’s structural elements, causing wood to warp and paint to peel.
• Increased Energy Bills: Running your air conditioner excessively to combat both heat and humidity can lead to higher energy bills. A dehumidifier can ease this burden on your cooling system.

Talk to Doc Dancer About Installing a Whole-House Dehumidifier In Your Fort Wayne Home

Now that you know all about dehumidifiers, it’s time to talk to Doc Dancer. Our team can provide you with an indoor air quality assessment to find the best indoor air quality solutions for your home. A dehumidifier is often a popular choice in older homes or homes or homes with an older AC unit. Give us a call today to give you an estimate on installing a dehumidifier in your home.

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