For over a century, the HVAC industry has focused on controlling temperatures indoors to keep people comfortable and improve their quality of life. But “comfort” encompasses much more than keeping a building warm or cool. Commercial building owners must also consider humidity, or the amount of moisture in the air at any given time.
In the summer, building owners in the Red River Valley typically experience issues with too much humidity, as hot air can hold more moisture than cold air. Water vapor enters buildings in many ways, including respiration, evaporation, and openings to the outdoors, but it’s important to make sure moisture levels stay between 30-50% to keep occupants healthy and comfortable.
The key to maintaining balanced humidity in your building is your commercial HVAC system, which lowers the temperature of the air in your facility while removing excess moisture in the process. Let’s dive into the risks of high humidity and how you can keep moisture levels under control in your building during the summer.
High Humidity, Heightened Risks
Humidity is always fluctuating, but if moisture levels get too high, they can cause more than just discomfort. Mold and mildew thrive in damp environments, leading to short- and long-term health problems for occupants and overall poor indoor air quality. Excess moisture in the air can also decrease your staff’s productivity, warp your office furniture, ruin your technological equipment, or even destroy the structure of your building.
How to Control Humidity
Keep Windows Closed
While it’s tempting to let in fresh air in the summer, opening your office windows will bring excess moisture into your building. This causes your building’s HVAC system to work harder to rebalance humidity levels and keep your building cool, inevitably increasing your energy costs. Keep windows closed on hot days (and communicate these protocols to your staff) to maintain comfort and efficiency.
Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
Hiring a professional HVAC technician to inspect your equipment at least once a year will help ensure humidity stays balanced in your building. Experts like our service crew at Custom Aire will recalibrate your cooling equipment, inspect your ductwork for air leaks, and resolve other issues before they become a larger problem. Custom Aire offers a range of Energy Savings Maintenance Agreements (ESMA) to make it easier for you to stay on top of routine HVAC maintenance and keep humidity levels in your building within the healthy range.
Retrofit Your HVAC Equipment
Over time, HVAC equipment wears out and becomes less efficient at maintaining temperatures and humidity levels indoors. If it’s been a while since your system has been updated, it may be time to consider retrofitting your existing HVAC equipment. Retrofits are a more budget-friendly investment than complete replacement. Consult with a professional HVAC company to determine if your system would benefit from an upgrade.
If you are experiencing excess humidity in your building, don’t sweat! Our expert team at Custom Aire is here to help resolve the issue. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
