Categories: Tips and Resources

Benefits of a Whole-Home Dehumidifier in Central PA

Freestanding whole-home dehumidifier with condensate drain and safety float switch.

Freestanding whole-home dehumidifier partially ducted into the existing HVAC system.

Whole–Home Dehumidifiers

Rain and high humidity levels can wreak havoc on basements, crawl spaces and entire homes throughout central Pennsylvania. Even when the temperature feels cooler, but the dew point is still high, opening windows to let fresh air in greatly increases the humidity in your home.

Why is humidity a concern, and how do we remove it from our homes?

Why High Humidity Is Bad for Your Home

Ideally, humidity in your home should range between 30% and 50%. Humidity levels above 60% means you have excess moisture in your home, potentially causing several problems:

Mold growth: Excess humidity promotes mold and mildew growth. As it grows, mold breaks down organic materials like wood and paper. Eventually, it can cause substantial structural damage and destroy carpeting, clothing, furniture and other belongings.
Musty smell: Think about that musty smell in the basement. A musty smell is more than just an unpleasant odor — it likely means there’s mold growing in the space due to excess moisture.
Moisture: Excess moisture from humid air can damage belongings like books, photographs and electronics. Water can also cause wood furniture and structural components to warp, swell and crack.
Dust mites: Dust mites are microscopic pests that thrive in humid conditions. Exposure to dust mites can trigger symptoms in people with asthma or allergies.
Indoor air pollutants: Indoor air pollutants also increase when humidity is high. That’s because high humidity may cause furniture and building materials to off-gas or release volatile organic compounds in the air.
Discomfort: High humidity makes the air feel warm and sticky, affecting the comfort of everyone in your home. It also impacts the body’s ability to stay cool.

Benefits of Controlling the Humidity of Your Home

Fortunately, you can control the humidity levels in your home by using a whole-home dehumidifier. Removing excess humidity and maintaining healthy levels has many benefits:

Improved air quality: Removing moisture hinders mold growth and dust mites. Making the environment less hospitable to these contaminants leads to cleaner, healthier air.
Preserved home and furniture: A dehumidifier can help protect your home’s structure and furniture from moisture damage. You can keep your belongings and home looking and smelling great with dryer air.
Increased comfort: Controlling indoor humidity allows for a healthier, more comfortable home. You and your family can sleep better when the air is dry and cool rather than damp or sticky.
Greater energy savings: When the air feels more comfortable with a dehumidifier, the air conditioner does not have to be turned down so low to feel cooler. You’ll save on energy costs and relieve some of the strain on your air conditioner.

Portable Dehumidifier vs. Whole-Home Dehumidifier

You may already have a dehumidifier in my basement, and that’s fine. A portable dehumidifier will provide that space with drier air but will have little bearing on any other living space. With that in mind, portable dehumidifiers tend to be costly to operate for little return. Often, a bucket regularly needs to be dumped, and they have an overall shorter life span because of frequent on-and-off cycling.

If you have humidity issues throughout your home, consider a whole-home dehumidifier, which offers benefits that a portable dehumidifier cannot provide. Unlike a portable dehumidifier, which is a standalone unit, a whole-home dehumidifier can be integrated into your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. It’s an energy-efficient solution that will help you maintain healthy humidity levels throughout your home — and won’t require you to empty any buckets.

Pros and Cons of a Whole-Home Dehumidifier

Pros	Cons
Superior humidity control throughout the entire home	Initial cost is higher
More energy efficient	Installation can be difficult, requiring a professional HVAC expert to install
Can work automatically or through your thermostat or smart technology	Larger and heavier
Better air filtration
Less regular maintenance and no water to dump
Placement can be out-of-sight
Longer life span and often with a better warranty
Can be ducted to your existing HVAC system or a separate room

Learn More About Our Dehumidifier Services

You deserve a home that’s comfortable and promotes good health. If you have humidity issues, know that an expert can resolve them, and you can create the sanctuary you crave. The first step is to contact us at Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

We provide whole-home dehumidifier services for property owners throughout the Greater Harrisburg Area, including West Shore, Carlisle, Mechanicsburg and Hershey. All our installations come with a warranty and a 100% money-back guarantee.