8 Ways to Reduce Your Homes Humidity

Welcome to Georgia, if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.

While Georgia weather seems wildly unpredictable and constantly changing; our hot, sticky summers are infamous. With average summer temperatures creeping into the 90s, going outside often feels like being the ant under a child’s magnifying glass. But complain about the heat around here, and everyone will be happy to remind you…it's not the heat—it's the humidity.

I want to be as comfortable in my home as I am in a freezer section of a grocery store on the hottest day of the year. Unfortunately, my home has other ideas.

Humidity in your home makes you feel bad and also threatens the surfaces, structure, and overall condition of your property. Some problems with excess humidity can be remedied with a few simple changes around the home, and some require more of an expert’s touch.

According to Energy Star, the ideal level of humidity inside your home should be between 30 and 50%. So how can you maintain this range in your home and reduce the humidity when it gets bad? Check out these helpful tips to keep your home humidity-free during the hottest days of summer.

1. Get a Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier is one of the most effective ways to lower humidity in your home. These work best when the area is sealed-off, including the windows and doors. Dehumidifiers can take moisture out of the air, but should be placed away from walls or objects for proper airflow.

2. Ventilate!

Ensure that the areas in your home that are prone to moisture, such as your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, have proper ventilation. Installing an exhaust fan in these areas and keeping them on while showering, cooking, or doing laundry is an easy way to reduce moisture in your home.

3. Use Fans

Circulating the air in your home with the help of a ceiling or box fan can help reduce evaporation. Remember to adjust the fan rotation seasonally.

4. Check for Leaking Pipes

Check the piping in your home on a bi-annual basis to make sure that they are working properly. Even the smallest pipe leak can cause a rise in moisture.

5. Adjust the Settings on your Air Conditioner

Some air conditioners come with a “dry” setting to assist in removing indoor moisture. You should also keep your AC fan settings set to “auto” instead of “on” so that your air conditioner is not constantly running.

6. Change the Air Filters

Improve the airflow and the efficiency of your unit by changing your air filters regularly. By improving the airflow of your unit, you will be reducing the opportunity for humidity in your home.

7. Take Shorter Showers

While taking a hot shower is a great way to relax and unwind, this tends to be a culprit for producing excessive steam and humidity. We recommend limiting the amount of time you spend in the shower and ensuring the bathroom fan is on.

8. Have Your Unit Maintained Regularly by an HVAC Expert

It’s tremendously important and beneficial to have your HVAC system checked by a professional at least twice a year. Our team of HVAC experts can make sure that your unit is dehumidifying the air as it should be. Contact us today to make an appointment.

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Is Ductwork Included?

By Loren Crabtree • March 25, 2025

Why You Might Not Change the Ductwork When Replacing Your HVAC System When it comes time to replace your HVAC system, a question that frequently arises is whether the existing ductwork also needs to be replaced. Surprisingly, the answer isn't always a resounding yes. While it might seem logical to overhaul everything at once for efficiency's sake, several compelling reasons might sway your decision to retain the existing ductwork. Here's why: 1. Condition of Existing Ductwork The primary consideration is the condition of your current ductwork. If it's in good shape, free from leaks, and not showing signs of significant wear like corrosion or damage, it can often remain in place. Quality ductwork can last decades if properly installed and maintained, meaning it might outlast an HVAC unit itself. 2. Cost Efficiency Replacing ductwork is an extensive and sometimes invasive process that can significantly add to the overall cost of HVAC system replacement. If the current ductwork is still functional and efficient, keeping it can save you a substantial amount of money and time. It's all about balancing the cost versus benefits, and if the ductwork isn't contributing to energy loss or performance issues, the expenditure might not be justified. 3. Compatibility and Sizing In many cases, the existing ductwork is perfectly compatible with the new HVAC unit. Proper sizing is critical for the efficiency of the HVAC system — if the ducts were correctly sized for the old unit, and the new unit is of a similar size and capacity, there's often no need for adjustment. However, significant changes in the size or type of HVAC system could warrant a reassessment and potential replacement of the ductwork. 4. Minimal Performance Gains The performance boost from replacing ductwork might not be as significant as expected, particularly if your existing ducts are in good condition. The efficiency and functionality of your HVAC system depend largely on the unit itself, proper installation, and regular maintenance. While new ductwork can offer improvements, especially if the old system had issues, the marginal gains might not always justify the cost for systems already operating efficiently. 5. Environmental Considerations Retaining existing ductwork can also be a more environmentally friendly option. By not replacing the ducts, you're reducing waste and the demand for new materials. This approach aligns with the principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling, contributing to a lower environmental impact. Final Thoughts Deciding not to replace the ductwork during an HVAC system upgrade isn't about cutting corners; it's about making an informed choice based on the condition, compatibility, and the potential cost and environmental impact. However, it's crucial to have your current system evaluated by a professional to ensure that keeping the existing ductwork is the best decision for your home's comfort and efficiency. Regular inspections and maintenance will keep your HVAC system, and its ductwork running smoothly for years to come, ensuring that when the time for replacement comes, you'll be ready to make the best choice for your home.

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Why does my air conditioner run in the winter?

By Loren Crabtree • February 25, 2025

Why Does My Air Conditioner Run in the Winter? Discovering that your air conditioner is running during the colder months can be a surprising and confusing experience. However, there are legitimate reasons for this occurrence, some of which are by design and others that might indicate a need for maintenance. Understanding why this happens can ease your concerns and help ensure that your HVAC system is functioning as efficiently as possible, even when the mercury drops. 1. Heat Pump Operation The most common reason your air conditioner seems to be active in winter is if you have a heat pump system. Heat pumps are designed to cool your home in the summer and heat it in the winter, using the outdoor unit in both operations. In heating mode, the system reverses the flow of refrigerant, extracting heat from the outdoor air and transferring it indoors. So, if your "air conditioner" is running in the winter, it's likely that it's actually your heat pump operating in its heating mode. 2. Defrost Mode In winter, the outdoor unit of a heat pump can accumulate frost, which reduces its efficiency in heating mode. To combat this, heat pumps are equipped with a defrost cycle. During this cycle, it may appear that your air conditioning is running since the system temporarily reverses back to cooling mode to generate warm air to melt the frost on the outdoor unit. This is a normal and necessary function of a heat pump in colder weather. 3. Thermostat Settings Occasionally, the reason your air conditioning runs in winter could be due to incorrect thermostat settings. If your thermostat is set to "cool" instead of "heat" or "auto," your air conditioning system will activate, regardless of the outside temperature. This is a simple fix but one that can significantly affect comfort and energy bills. 4. Integrated HVAC Systems Some modern HVAC systems integrate both air conditioning and heating into a single unit, sharing interior components like air handlers and ductwork. In these systems, even when in heating mode, parts of your air conditioning system may still operate to circulate air throughout your home. This doesn’t necessarily mean the cooling function is active, but rather that the system uses the blower to distribute warm air. 5. Malfunction or System Error If none of the above reasons apply, your AC running in winter could suggest a malfunction. This could be due to a variety of issues like a faulty thermostat, a stuck reversing valve (in heat pumps), or incorrect wiring. In such cases, it's essential to contact an HVAC professional to diagnose and resolve the problem to prevent potential damage or inefficiency. Understanding and Addressing the Issue Noticing your air conditioner running in winter isn’t always cause for immediate concern. Identifying the reason is the first step towards ensuring your system's efficiency and your home's comfort. Regular maintenance and familiarizing yourself with your HVAC system can help mitigate unexpected surprises and ensure that your system serves you well, regardless of the season. If in doubt, consulting with an HVAC professional can provide clarity and peace of mind.