Give a thought to improve indoor air quality that you are breathing through the HVAC. The discussion aims to develop and validate an integrated humidity and ventilation control solution that improves indoor air quality, comfort and energy efficiency in low-load homes in a hot-humid and mixed-humid climate.
Your strategy should be to coordinate the cooling, drying and ventilation functions of central HVAC systems to achieve -
- Energy savings and improved ventilation efficiency and comfort.
- Revaluating AC systems to optimise de humidification under part-load, developing a control strategy to integrate supply-type ventilation that operates primarily into your interior.
- Developing metrics to quantify system performance, including energy savings and cost efficiency.
Also Read: Optimal Climate: Types of HVAC Systems
Utilising HVAC Humidity Control
HVAC frameworks are a fabulous choice for property holders who need to preserve a comfortable and sound indoor environment.
- HVAC frameworks are planned with progressed highlights that permit them to adjust to the particular needs of your home.It can alter the cooling and dehumidifying needs of your household, guaranteeing energy efficiency. This implies you'll keep up perfect indoor humidity levels without having to continually alter settings or stress almost over-burdening the framework.
- HVAC offers way better dehumidification capabilities. With two-stage compression innovation, conditioners can run longer, giving superior air circulation and control humidity levels. A whole-home dehumidifier that can be coordinated into your HVAC framework for superior level of humidity control.
- HVAC frameworks are known for their toughness and quality. With normal upkeep, these HVAC can give a controlled humidity level to your home environment which is a cost effective solution.
The Ideal Level of Indoor Humidity Levels
Indoor humidity levels are the sum of water vapour in your home. Knowing your indoor comfort humid levels is important for your healthy lifestyle. Any indication that your indoor humidity has dropped below 30 per cent or has increased above 60 per cent is an immediate area of concern and requires action.
The utilisation of a space and the temperature can influence the perfect indoor humid levels.
Experts suggest, maintaining 50% relative humidity levels at temperatures between 68°F and 78°F, for your home environment is good for your daily living.
Consequences When Indoor Humid Levels Are on Lower Side
Dropping of humid levels at your home can cause dry throats, eye pain, dry skin and congestion in nose and throat.
If the humidity level are on lower side the common consequence that you will notice at your home environment are:
- Covid 19 spreads easily even when indoor humidity levels are on lower levels.
- Rise in asthma cases and breathing difficulties.
- Itchy skin with red rashes.
- Dryness in air can damage your wooden furniture, paintings, floors and woodwork.
Consequences When Indoor Humid Levels Are on Higher Side
The process of evaporation of sweat from your body gets slower when the humid levels are on higher sides, giving you a sticky and hot feel.
If the humidity level are on higher levels the common consequence that you will notice at your home environment are:
- Illnesses like heat rash, muscle cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke are very common due to high humid levels at your home interiors.
- Increase in bad odours, bad bacteria and viruses that cause respiratory diseases. Growth mould spores, dust and other allergens.
- Damaged home structures.
Home Moisture
Damp air can enter from poorly sealed windows, leaky rooms or even opening the house on a rainy day. Leaky pipes, long showers and steam from cooking equipment make the situation worse and increase the humidity. Controlling your home moisture is easily achievable by just finding out the ways to keep the excess moisture from your home:
- Use a dehumidifier which can be integrated with your HVAC to give less moist indoors.
- Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom.
- Sealing the open space especially at windows and entryways.
- Using fryers and grillers on outside of your home.
HVAC Controlling the Humidity
Modern HVAC are designed to control both the temperature and humidity levels of your home. As a part of the cooling process the Air Conditioners remove the excess of water vapour from the air, giving you a cool atmosphere. But if the humid levels go low down from 30% or the higher levels go up from 60% then you are in urgent need of controlling humidity levels.
HVAC system capacity- In the past it was a precedent to have the highest capacity HVAC installed at your home but this is wrong. At present we know that higher capacity HVAC tend to cool quickly and take a short time to reach their set temperature, that means the moisture isn't removed properly. A good capacity HVAC that is in accordance with your daily needs tends to maintain and control the humidity level as per your environment and climatic conditions.
Cooling system- When it comes to humidity control, an air conditioner with one speed, basically on or off, can have the same problems as one set too high. Especially if the temperature is not too high, but the air is very humid, the unit may turn on and off frequently and not work smoothly enough to remove the humidity.
A multi-level system can be a great solution. They are more tolerant to humidity because they can run longer at lower power.
The ventilation - Area where indoor humidity tends to be high, such as kitchens and bathrooms, adequate ventilation is key to controlling humidity. Too little ventilation can cause dampness. Also, excessive ventilation can create a negative pressure that brings in more humid air from outside.
Also Read: Optimizing Airflow: The Critical Role of Static Pressure in HVAC Systems
AC distribution can also be a problem, especially if the room has been renovated after installing an air conditioner. Adding fans, and adding or moving ducts can make a big difference in humidity levels.
How to Improve HVAC Humidity Control in an Existing System
Clean the Radiators
This is the easiest way to try to get better HVAC humidity control from your older system. The Humid outside air is rough on your AC condensers and they can get dirty quickly. Your AC starts to face problems due to dirt and the cooling system slips down, in turn you and your family will be facing a humid atmosphere at your home.
Preventive Maintenance
Having a preventive support mechanism in place to get your HVAC checked and maintained by proper technicians and experts, ensures that HVAC performs all year around giving you control of humidity levels at your home.
By spending in a preventive upkeep arrangement your HVAC components can be checked and changed as per your requirement This keeps it running as efficiently as possible to improve HVAC humidity control.
Your technology can also detect and fix imminent problems before they escalate to full system failure.
Adjust Airflow
A qualified HVAC technician can sometimes adjust the system's airflow to cool the moisture in the evaporator. This can result in greater moisture removal and better control of HVAC humidity.
This is only possible with certain types of AC systems and there is some risk of freezing the evaporator coil. Talk to an AC professional to see if this might be right for you.
Include a Dehumidifier to Your HVAC
You can include a dehumidifier to your air conditioner to make an effective and efficient HVAC humidity control.
A dehumidifier removes any excessive humidity from your home. Take help from an experienced HVAC expert to recommend a dehumidifier that can go along with your air conditioner and give you a controlled humid level at your home.
Also Read: Unlocking Durability: HVAC Lifespan Guide
Conclusion
Too much or too little humidity in your home can be unhealthy and uncomfortable. Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning - HVAC system helps regulate indoor humidity. Proper maintenance of your HVAC will keep it running efficiently and remove most of the moisture from the air processed through your HVAC.
