Name: Bounds Heating & Air
Address: 25645 West, Newberry Road, Newberry, FL, 32669
Telephone: 352-472-2761

4 Things That Make Your Home Muggier

Here in Gainesville, we have plenty of humidity to go around, and that’s not always something we love. Aside from feeling muggy and uncomfortable, too much humidity in your home can increase your energy bills and promote mold growth. The key to reducing all that excess moisture in your indoor air is to find out what’s allowing it to accumulate.

Below are the most common sources of excess humidity in homes and some suggestions for solving each problem.

1. Air Leaks

If your home is missing features like sealed ductwork and weatherstripping, moisture could be getting inside from the great outdoors. Air ducts are usually located in unconditioned areas, like attics or crawl spaces, so if there are leaks in the ductwork, humid air can “sneak in” through tears and gaps and make your home muggier.

Not sure where the problem lies? If you have high energy bills, excess humidity, or drafty areas in your home, an energy audit can help determine precisely where air leaks are happening.

2. Neglected Exhaust Fans

One of the simplest ways you can reduce humidity in your home is by:

Using your bathroom fan (or getting one installed). Unless you like cold baths and showers, you’re going to wash with warm water, and that warm water is going to create muggier air quickly. Run your bathroom fan while bathing and for another 30 minutes afterward.
Using your kitchen exhaust fan. Cooking on the stove (especially boiling and sauteeing) releases a lot of moisture. Use your kitchen exhaust fan while cooking on the stove and for another 15 minutes afterward.

3. An Aging AC System

Your air conditioner does two beneficial things. Not only does it remove heat from your indoor air, but it also takes away moisture. This makes your indoor environment less humid. However, if your air conditioner is upwards of 15 or 20 years old, it’s probably struggling to condition and dehumidify your air the way it used to. If your AC costs you a fortune in repairs or energy bills, it’s probably wiser to invest that money in a new, more efficient replacement.

4. A Dirty Evaporator Coil

Even if your AC is somewhat new, it might be struggling to remove heat and humidity from your home’s air. Why? Nearly 100% of the time, it’s because the equipment is overdue for preventative maintenance. When your AC’s evaporator coil (in the indoor unit) gets dirty and grimy, it will have a harder and harder time performing. This can lead to high cooling costs and a system failure.

At Bounds Heating & Air, we’re committed to providing the highest quality air conditioning repairs, maintenance, and installations in Gainesville and the surrounding areas: (352) 472-2761.

3 Reasons to Have Professional Preventive Maintenance

You can do many simple HVAC maintenance tasks yourself, like changing the AC filter, removing debris from around your outdoor unit, and inspecting visible ductwork in your Gainesville, Florida home for damage. An HVAC professional, however, goes far beyond basic tasks and performs preventative maintenance essential to keeping your HVAC system running efficiently.

Inspecting the Coils

The evaporator and condenser coils are essential to keeping your air conditioner running well. If the refrigerant is low or leaking, ice can form on the coils and cause water to back up in the system. If the coils are dirty, they won’t be able to do their job as efficiently. Coil problems always need to be addressed by a professional because they often require delicate solutions.

Checking for Gas Leaks

Even if you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, it’s still a good idea to have a professional check your furnace for gas leaks. Not only do they have the proper safety training to deal with any leaks, but they will also detect worn out parts or problems with the pilot light that may indicate gas flow issues. Because the gas in your furnace can present a serious safety hazard, you should never try to fix it yourself.

Tightening Mechanical Components

Wires, motors, blowers, belts, and similar components can wear out, and as a homeowner, you probably won’t know until they start to malfunction. Your HVAC technician, however, looks at them every time you get a system checkup. If the wires are starting to wear out or parts are coming loose, the technician fixes those issues before they become much larger problems and affect the entire system’s ability to operate efficiently.

The best HVAC maintenance is a combination of DIY and professional attention. Keep your HVAC system performing well for as long as possible by performing simple tasks yourself and scheduling a seasonal maintenance appointment to take care of the rest.

Call Bounds Heating & Air, Inc. today at 352-472-2761 for your preventive maintenance or other HVAC service needs. Our technicians will help to keep your HVAC system performing efficiently year-round.

Category: Preventative Maintenance