A dehumidifier is a device that removes moisture from the air, and in a crawl space, one will help you prevent mold growth and the presence of dust mites in your crawl space. In any case, a dehumidifier works by drawing in the surrounding air and running it over cold coils to turn the moisture into condensation. Afterward, the device heats the air, releasing it back into (in this case) your crawl space.
How Can You Tell When You Need a Crawl Space Dehumidifier?
When humid, moist air exists in your crawl space, it can affect the air within your home. If you or other family members experience frequent asthma attacks, seasonal allergies, or other symptoms of poor air quality, installing a dehumidifier can help.
More signs that you should install a crawl space dehumidifier include the following:
- Moisture or condensation
- Mold growth
- Unpleasant or musty odors
In addition to scheduling regular crawl space maintenance, installing a dehumidifier will help prevent additional damage. As moisture can damage wood, drywall, and other materials, you should also look for any damage to and within your crawl space. You’ll need a structural repair contractor to replace moisture-damaged materials in these circumstances.
5 Benefits of Installing a Crawl Space Dehumidifier
When you install a dehumidifier into your crawl space, you’ll experience a wide range of benefits that won’t just affect the ventilation in your crawl space. You’ll be able to make note of several positive changes throughout your home, including the following:
1. Keeping Your Home Comfortable Without Wasting Energy
Your home’s humidity should be kept at or below 60% year-round. While your HVAC system reduces humidity as it cools the air, it also increases energy consumption by collecting, treating, and redistributing it.
A dehumidifier in your crawl space will provide the same results without adding that drain of energy, and you’ll find the need to use the AC less frequently since the dehumidifier is already treating the air.
2. Improving Your Overall Comfort
When the humidity levels in your home are too high, you’ll feel sweaty, sticky, and too uncomfortable during the hottest days of the year. Even in the winter, high humidity can leave you feeling chilly, and your skin will feel clammy.
A crawl space dehumidifier eliminates the moisture that causes these unpleasant sensations, meaning you’ll be able to keep your thermostat at a more consistent temperature and feel more comfortable as a result.
3. Protecting Your Home
If there’s humidity in your crawl space, condensation will form on the wooden beams that comprise your home’s structural supports, and over time, they will weaken and rot, causing you to need costly structural repairs.
Installing a crawl space dehumidifier will help you avoid such a situation. By removing the moisture from the air in your crawl space, you’ll be protecting your home’s structure and extending its longevity.
4. Avoiding Pests
A moist and humid climate is ideal for many of the pests that pose a threat to your home, such as ants, cockroaches, centipedes, and many other insects. In particular, termites love dark, humid crawl spaces, as they thrive on the moist air, and the humidity softens the wood, making it even more palatable.
When you set up a dehumidifier in your crawl space, you’ll alter the climate and make it less pest-friendly. While you might still need pest control services, a dehumidifier can help you add an extra layer of protection against destructive pests throughout the year.
5. Enjoying Cleaner Air
Another problem with humid air is that it’s an ideal breeding environment for bacteria and other microbes. As these unseen threats travel throughout your home, illnesses will become more likely. If your loved ones seem to get sick on a frequent basis, humid air in your crawl space may be the cause.
Installing a crawl space dehumidifier will make it harder for bacteria to grow and affect your home’s air while also improving your crawl space’s ventilation.
We’ll Help You Protect Your Crawl Space
Falcone Crawl Space & Structural Repair can help you protect your crawl space with a dehumidifier installation. We’ll help you choose the right energy-efficient dehumidifier to meet your needs. Contact us to get started.
