4 Ways to Lower Humidity in Your Home

When it’s hot and humid outside, it shouldn’t be inside. But often, summertime weather in South Florida, along with other factors, may cause the air in your home to be more humid. What does that mean for you? Well, for one thing, it may be uncomfortable because you sweat more, and the air feels muggy. But beyond that, humidity can lead to mold and mildew, which can result in damage to floors and walls in your home, or even more disconcerting, allergies or other health issues.

So how do you know if it’s too humid in your home? Again, you can probably feel the moisture in the air. In addition, you might see condensation on windows and mirrors, wet spots on walls or even visible signs of mold and mildew growth. If you become aware of high humidity in your home, here are 4 ways you can reduce the level.

1. Check for leaks and make repairs.

Check the outside and inside of your home for leaks and openings where air can seep in. Repair damaged roof tiles and seal up openings. This includes weather-stripping and caulking around tubs, showers and windows. An often-overlooked issue is the dryer exhaust vent. Make sure it’s directed to the outside of the home and completely sealed.

2. Improve air circulation.

A stagnant airflow decreases evaporation, which facilitates higher moisture. Use your exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchen when showering and cooking. Run ceiling fans only in rooms that are occupied. Moving air across your skin helps to evaporate latent moisture, therefore making you feel cooler. Having fresh air from the outside added to the return of your A/C system will create a positive pressure to your home to reduce infiltration of humid air.

3. Reduce moisture levels.

Again, install and run exhaust fans, especially in the kitchen and bath, where vapor levels are higher. You might also consider a dehumidifier, depending on how extreme you think your humidity issues are. Did you know that plants create moisture in your home’s air? If your home has an excess of plants, it might feel like you’re in a greenhouse. So keep your indoor, green-thumb cravings in check.

4. Service your HVAC system.

Not only does your air conditioner cool your home, it condenses moisture from the air. If the drain lines are clogged, leaks can occur…which not only affects the humidity but also costs you money for unscheduled maintenance.

If you are concerned about your home’s humidity, call us at TRAVERSAIR, and we’re happy to answer any questions, and you might not even need a service call. Call us at 561-746-7221.

When Tim Travers founded TRAVERSAIR, he made a pledge to himself, his employees, his suppliers and his customers that he would always deliver the kind of quality service that he demanded for himself. He had learned from working for other HVAC companies what NOT to do. And more importantly, he realized he could give customers what they want and deserve – uncompromising excellent service. So what does that really mean?

In the big picture, it means genuinely caring about people and results. But on a day-to-day level, it means consistent best practices. Here are some that you can expect.

We answer our phones.
No long hold buttons. No navigating through a laborious voice mail system. You’ll actually reach a live HVAC professional during regular business hours. On nights and weekends, we’ll return your call the next business day.

We are HVAC Ninjas.
When our technicians are working on your system, you can do whatever you do normally. We’ll stay out of your way. Heck, you might not even know we’re there.

A mission of education.
TRAVERSAIR has made it a priority to be the most knowledgeable in the industry so the team can not only provide great service but also educate customers. Our technicians never try to upsell you anything, especially anything you don’t need. And we’ll make sure you get a full explanation of our services. We love to teach customers how to do things themselves and find ways to save money. That’s why our tag line is “service that’s telling, not selling.”

You get detailed reports.
Like the standard one on your invoice that tells you exactly what shape your system is in and what services we performed. If you’re buying a home, renting a new commercial space or having issues with cooling, you’ll get more in-depth reports, including photos and recommendations by our trained technicians on repairs and upkeep. We never fly by the seat of our pants. Because we want to save you money in the long run… and make sure you “get” what you are getting.

Thorough preventive maintenance.
We don’t cut corners. Count on us to be thorough when we perform a preventive maintenance service call. We clean drains, change filters, open up doors and check pressure… just to name a few things at the top of our list.

Ultimately, everything we do is based on building trust. That means responsiveness, reliability, accountability, open communication, concern for helping people. You know, it’s the stuff we all want… and you can expect from us!

 

ML LINEAR SLOT CEILING DIFFUSER

• Designed for variable air volume systems

• Available with one to eight slots

• Ideal for continuous length applications

  

  

CT LINEAR SLOT CEILING DIFFUSER

• Designed for both heating and cooling applications, supply as well as return

• Can be selected for ceiling, side wall, or sill installations

   

 

OMNI ARCHITECTURAL CEILING DIFFUSER (FAST FRAME)

• Strong, clean, unobtrusive lines harmonize with the ceiling system, without sacrificing performance

• Delivers a uniform 360° horizontal air pattern, without excessive noise or pressure drops

• Excellent choice for variable air volume systems

   

 

 

FL FLOWBAR CEILING DIFFUSER 

• Fully integrating and complementing the ceiling system and other ceiling components

• All FlowBar linear systems are available curved

• Allows supply, return and exhaust air all from one diffuser, reducing ceiling clutter

   

 

SQUARE CEILING DIFFUSER (LAYIN)

• Delivers supply air in a true 360° pattern without streaking and smudging the ceiling

• Excellent performance in variable air volume systems

• All sizes have three cones, giving a uniform appearance where different neck sizes are used in the same areas

  

 

 

ADJUSTABLE LOUVERED GRILLE

• Presents a clean, functional, strong appearance, along with high performance

• Designed for ceiling, high side wall and low side wall installations

• Louvers are individually adjustable from the face of the diffuser

• 2-, 3-, 4-way, 6” x 6” through 36” x 36”

 

It’s easy to ignore your attic since you don’t see it every day. And it can be a little scary to climb up there, much less crawl around. But think about this. Your attic can be home to leaks, unsealed cracks and holes, critters, inadequate insulation and energy loss. And those issues not only can cost you money, they can cause you discomfort as well.

In South Florida, many of these issues can occur year-round. For example, while the last two summers have been the hottest on record here, the winters have also been warmer. And if your air conditioner is running, but it’s not bringing the temperature down and your power bills are higher than normal, the problem just might be in your attic. So here are 4 things to consider that might save you money and keep you from worrying about what’s up in your attic.

Check Your Crawl Space

You should inspect your attic annually. In most other parts of the country, experts recommend you do it in the spring so you can do any needed work before cold winter temperatures kick in. But here, you can do it just about anytime of year. And you might want to consider hiring a professional who’s at ease in the attic and knows what to look for.

Seal up

In some cases, the nooks and crannies in your attic are intentional. But most are probably cracks and holes that need to be sealed. In addition to looking for gaps in your roof walls and floors, while you’re up there, also check your ducts. For example, grease spilling out of an opening around an exhaust duct from your kitchen range could be a fire hazard. A leak in your air conditioning duct can certainly take a toll on your system and your power bill. Be sure to check your roof tiles too.

Insulate

Nine out of ten homes have insufficient insulation. It’s important to measure the depth of your insulation and consult DIY sources or professionals to determine what yours should be. If you see exposed framing or discolored insulation, you need to increase your coverage.

Make a Choice

You can maintain your attic yourself which will save you some money. But it’s not an easy job, so hiring a professional might be a good choice. Either way, if you have issues, treating them will save you money on energy bills, up to 40%. You’ll find hundreds of DIY articles and tips on the Internet if you want to handle things up yourself. At TRAVERSAIR, we like Energy Star’s Rule Your Attic program: https://www.energystar.gov/newhomes/rule_your_attic

Need Help with Your Air Conditioning System?

Warm winter weather means air conditioners are running year-round here in South Florida. Call TRAVERSAIR today for any of your HVAC needs: 561-746-7221.

You may have heard that the winter months in South Florida are sometimes called “Cool Summer.” That’s because while temperatures lower, we still experience tropical sun and humidity and even some very hot days. Here are a few recommendations that apply now as much as they do in the hotter months of the year.

Ceiling Fan Myth
Did you know that ceiling fans don’t actually cool? But they give you the sensation of being cool by moving air around. And that can save you money on your electric bill if you run them while your AC thermostat is set to a higher temperature. But don’t do it for the furniture. Only run your fan when you’re around.

Open Windows to Cool Off
As temperatures get cooler in South Florida, opening windows seems like a good idea. The best results come from cracking windows in various parts of the house to create a draft. But don’t forget, here in our area, we still have humidity despite the lower temperatures. Running your AC regulates humidity, so don’t run your system while the windows are open.

Strategic Placement of Outdoor Plants
Another good way to keep the temp down in the house… plant bushes and trees around your southern and western sides of your home, especially around windows and doors. Window boxes also help not to mention the aesthetics.

Consider “Outdoor” Window Treatments
Everyone knows that indoor window treatments help keep your home cool. But have you considered this too: you can cover your windows with solar screens (mesh-like screens) or transparent window films to intercept the sun’s energy before it enters the home. Solar screens block 70% of the solar energy and allow you to open the windows while still keeping the heat… and the bugs out.

A Few More Quick Tips
• Be sure to maintain your AC. Replacing an older model can result in some significant energy and electric bill savings.
• Check your ducts and insulation.
• Turn off indoor lights.
• Take a cold shower instead of cranking down the AC and speeding up the fans.
• Stay hydrated.

Keep Grilling While You’re Chilling
The great thing about Florida is you can grill comfortably outside nearly year-round. You’ll save money and keep the temp cooler in your kitchen. You can even cook complete meals on your grill. Check out recipes by barbecue expert Chef Bobby Flay at www.bobbyflay.com

Ask TRAVERSAIR!

We love to help by educating customers and solving problems. That’s why we say, “Service that’s telling, not selling.” Call us at 561-746-7211, email at info@traversair.com and we hope you’ll like us on Facebook. We’re always posting hints and helpful info there too.

If you upgraded your central air conditioning system for your primary residence in 2013, you may be eligible to receive a tax credit up $300.00. This credit is based on The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 which ended on December 31, 2013.

To get the full list of requirements, you can visit www.irs.gov/form5695 or consult your tax adviser. If you have a question whether or not you have purchased a qualifying air conditioning equipment, feel free to contact us at info@traversair.com.

 

Have you ever come home from work or a vacation trip only to find that your air conditioner was not working? They tend to break down when it is the most inconvenient time. One way to cut down on unnecessary breakdowns is by having preventive maintenance on your air conditioner on a regular basis.

According to FPL, the average air conditioner in South Florida runs for over 2800 hours in a year. It also accounts for more than half of the energy consumed in residential households every month. Keeping your air conditioning system properly maintained will ensure that it is running at optimum efficiency. Preventive maintenance on an air conditioning system is just as essential as preventive maintenance on a car.

Like a car, the air handler (inside unit) and the condenser (outside unit) have many functional parts that are in use every time the system is running. People know that a car should have its oil and filter changed every few thousand miles, frequently check the condition of the tires, and about once a year have a technician look over the engine, belts, and plugs.

It is no different for your home or office air conditioning system. The air filter should be replaced at least once per quarter, but to maximize efficiency it should be changed every month. The drain lines need to cleaned, and at least once a year the belts, capacitors, and wiring connections need to be looked over.

It is easy to forget about the maintenance of your air conditioner since the best air conditioners are those that you can’t see, hear, or feel. However, a regular and consistent preventive maintenance schedule can save you on service calls and even help to prolong the life of your air conditioning system.

Click here to schedule your a/c maintenance today!