Professional Charleston Humidity Control

In Charleston and throughout the Lowcountry, locals are familiar with the adage: "It's not the heat; it's the humidity!" High humidity levels outdoor are uncomfortable, but inside your home or commercial building, they can be much worse than just a discomfort. Humidity is the primary condition that leads to mold growth and overall poor indoor air quality.

Unfortunately, most residential and light commercial HVAC systems are designed only to maintain temperatures and not to control humidity. In many parts of the country, those types of systems are perfectly adequate, but in the Charleston area, humidity is a huge concern. There are a number of conditions that can contribute to elevated humidity levels, including:

Infiltration
Poor/inadequate HVAC design
Site conditions
Moisture-laden crawlspaces

If high humidity is a problem for your Charleston area home or business GLS Engineering & Testing can help by providing you with a professional evaluation to determine sources of moisture and to develop a strategy to maintain acceptable interior humidity levels. If corrective measures are required, our Charleston mold testing professionals can manage the installation of necessary systems and equipment, providing you with a turnkey humidity solution.

Whole House Dehumidifiers

Homeowners need to be aware that Charleston humidity control (also call moisture removal) is only a secondary benefit of standard air condition systems. That means that moisture is only removed when the thermostat is calling for cooling. Although currently accepted HVAC load-estimating methods attempt to maximize the moisture removing capabilities of standard AC systems, you can't count on them for satisfactory results, especially in warm, humid climates.

Humidity control can be greatly improved with the addition of controls, variable speed air handlers, and multistage compression systems.

Additionally, whole-house dehumidification systems can be installed in your Charleston home to control humidity independently of the AC system. Anyone with mold allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions should be particularly aware of the benefits of dehumidifiers.

Benefits of Dehumidifiers

If you notice any of the following problems in your Charleston home, it's likely that your indoor air's humidity levels are too high:

Sticky or "sweaty" floors
Mold or mildew growth in any part of your home
Musty odors
Condensation on your water pipes
Clammy feeling on your skin while indoors

Controlling the humidity levels with a whole-home dehumidifier is one of the most effective ways to protect your home against mold growth and to keep your home as comfortable as possible. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends that humidity levels are kept between 30% and 50% in homes to control the growth of mold, mildew, and fungus.

Helpful Links Regarding Humidity Control

Recent Humidity Control Related Articles

The Importance Of Humidity Control For Your Charleston Home
Humidity control is important for many reasons. The air inside your home is effectively trapped there. When you are inside, you're trapped with whatever contaminants are in the air. When the humidity level is too high, mold and mildew can grow. High indoor humidity cause other problems […]