Aside from causing discomfort, excess humidity can also cause damage to your health and home. Basements and crawl spaces are notoriously damp and often humid, cool, and dark. In combination with moisture from the ground, this can cause condensation on walls, floors and other surfaces, leading to mold and mildew growth. Minimizing humidity levels is possible. Opening foundation vents can help. On humid days, keep basement doors and windows closed. Basement walls can also be insulated with rigid foam insulation to reduce humidity levels. If excess humidity is present, mold can grow on carpet and even hard flooring. An excess of humidity may result in a musty odor, as well as damp carpeting and padding. A properly sized and professionally installed air conditioner can keep your home cool and comfortable while controlling humidity levels. Ventilation is the key to preventing moisture buildup in your attic. You can keep your attic cool and dry with a solar or electric powered fan. Walls may become spongy, and paint may bubble and peel if moisture pockets form within your walls as a result of excessively humid conditions. The sealing of leaks around doors, windows, baseboards, and wall outlets can help, as can increasing wall insulation. Stored items, such as food and clothing, can be damaged by consistently high humidity levels. Cans may rust or leak, and dry foods may attract moisture and stale. Allow air to circulate in closets by leaving doors open, removing unwanted items, and leaving space between clothing. Food can also be stored in an air-conditioned area.

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Your HVAC in Your New Home More about HVAC

In a home with a furnace for heating and an A/C for cooling, the air conditioner's evaporator coil is likely attached to the furnace, which uses the blower to blow air over the coil and then distribute it throughout the house, via ducts and registers. Typically, the furnace air filter is located near the ductwork. Check the furnace's air filter at least once a month during any season when cooling or heating is being used. In a home that uses a heat pump for both cooling and heating, the air filter is located in the air handler. During both heating and cooling seasons, it is essential to check the filter monthly and change it when necessary. Fall and spring, when heating and cooling aren't as needed, it's still a good idea to check the filter once a month. But you won't need to change it nearly as often. The clean HVAC air filter will maintain smooth air circulation, whereas a clogged filter will make the system work harder to push air through. This wastes energy, stresses parts, and increases heating and cooling cycles. Your home will become less comfortable. Dirt and debris can also enter sensitive components of the system, reducing efficiency and performance.

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Too Much Humidity Can Damage Your Home   heating and air conditioning products