Central Air Archives - Always Plumbing & Heating

What Should Be Your Home’s Ideal Humidity?

Not too dry, not too damp—have you ever considered the ideal humidity for your home? We’re here to help! We have some smart tips for increasing and decreasing home humidity levels, depending on the weather. Your sense of comfort will be in the Goldilocks zone in no time.

What is humidity?

Humidity is the amount of water vapour or moisture in the air. You can’t see humidity, but you can sure feel it when it changes.

If you’re getting frequent nosebleeds, have a family of snorers, deal with staticky clothing, or suffer from cracked skin or allergies, dry air (from a lower humidity level) might be to blame. Humidity levels might be too high when you see moisture or ice building on the inside of your windows in the winter. Even though your home is a controlled environment, the air originates from the outdoors. Weather changes can lead to disruptions in your indoor humidity levels. Luckily, there are things you can do to stay comfortable.

How do I measure humidity in my home?

We recommend installing a smart thermostat to monitor the humidity in your house, so you’re able to adjust as outdoor conditions impact what’s happening inside. It should be regularly inspected by a certified professional. We recommend you do this annually, at the same time as your furnace inspections.

Most smart thermostats have user-friendly and simple controls, so you can adjust indoor humidity levels with a touch of a button. Our technicians can make a recommendation based on what works best for you.

What is a comfortable level of humidity?

It might take some experimentation to find the exact level for you and your family, but we have some suggestions about where to start.

If you’re contemplating what to set the humidity at in your house in the winter, you’ll need to look at the weather forecast first.

If the outside temperature is lower than -20°C, your indoor humidity shouldn’t be higher than 15%.
If the temperature drops between -10°C and -20°C, the recommended humidity in your home is around 20%.
If the outside temperature is between 0°C and -10°C, you should set indoor humidity between 25% and 30%.

The ideal humidity level in the summer is 45% to 55%. Humidity levels higher than that can be pretty uncomfortable, plus that extra moisture can create a breeding ground for mould and mildew in your home.

How do I increase the humidity?

Using a humidifier boosts humidity levels by forcing moisture into the air. You can install whole home humidifiers or buy smaller machines for a single room. A whole home humidifier is installed into your air ducts, and controlled through your thermostat.

Individual machines are more cost-effective, and are great for putting in bedrooms. Our Always Plumbing & Heating team is happy to make product recommendations if you’d prefer to go that route.

How do I decrease the humidity?

Air conditioners reduce the humidity level in our homes. When air cools, humidity drops. Considering Edmonton’s humidity, you might want to use an air conditioner as the weather warms to reach your ideal indoor levels. Here on the prairies, excessive humidity is really only an issue in the summer.

How can I conserve energy while keeping an optimal humidity?

The most important step when considering home humidity levels is regular maintenance. Scheduling routine assessments of your furnace, central air, and humidifier will guarantee they’re operating the way they should, without increasing your power bill.

Our expert technicians are just a phone call away! We can evaluate the conditions in your home, and work with you to discuss the perfect options for cooling, humidifying, and heating. Contact us today for more information about how we can help.

How to Clean & Replace Your HRV Filter

Ahh, who doesn’t love breathing fresh air in their home? A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) system can make a world of difference in creating a balanced and energy-efficient space. As with any appliance, it’s important to maintain and clean your HRV system to ensure it’s running at its best.

What Is a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) System?

Because we spend most of our time inside, the importance of having a well-ventilated home can’t be understated. Since the 1970s, houses have become much more airtight, with strong insulation, vapour barriers, and caulking becoming standard.

Although this means homes have become more thermally efficient, it also means that stale air can linger inside! Moisture and chemicals can build up, breeding mould, bacteria, mildew, dust, and pollutants—all of which can negatively impact your health.

Thankfully, a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) system cycles out the stale and moist air in your home, and then replaces it with filtered and fresh air from the outdoors. This creates balanced ventilation throughout every room.

At the same time, an HRV system uses the stale air inside to warm up the outdoor air coming inside. In the winter months especially, we can close windows and doors with peace of mind, knowing fresh air is being cycled in without sacrificing any heat.

How to Clean Your HRV Filter

If you already have an HRV system, keeping it clean and well-maintained is a crucial aspect of owning one. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Be sure to turn off your HRV system and unplug it.
Open the door by unclipping the fasteners.
Remove the HRV filters by sliding them out from the middle of the unit.
If the HRV filters are really dirty, vacuum out excess dust and grime.
Wash the HRV filters in soap and warm water.
Let them dry and reinsert them when they’re ready.
Now, you can safely plug in and turn on the HRV system.

How to Clean the Filter Core of Your HRV

Sometimes, dirt and debris can build up in the HRV’s filter core. If this is the case, you can also remove it and clean it.

Usually, HRV filter cores have sidetracks that you can slide out. Pull those out first.
Now, you should gently and easily be able to pull the mechanism out.
After that, you can wash the HRV filter core in soap and warm water.
Once it’s dry, place it back in the machine, along with the sidetracks.

How Often Should You Clean & Service Your HRV?

It’s recommended that you clean your HRV filters once every two months. This will allow you to remove any dust and grime that collects over time.

When Should You Replace Your HRV Filter?

You should change your HRV filters out once or twice a year. If they’re still mucky and dark after a good washing, that’s a sign that you should put new ones in.

How Long Does an HRV System Last?

Typically, HRV systems work for 10 to 15 years. After that, the technology has reached the end of its lifespan and it’s time to look for a newer model.

Give the HVAC Experts a Call

At Always Plumbing & Heating, we’re obsessed with making your home as comfortable as possible. If you need to maintain or install an HRV system, book an appointment with us today. Our HVAC experts will assess your home, talk about your needs, and perform the right solution for you.

More HRV System Resources

Tips for a Healthy Winter IAQ

Should I Upgrade My Thermostat?

Edmonton Homeowners know how important their HVAC system affects their quality of life. Central air ensures that your home is at a comfortable temperature throughout the year. But few realize that their thermostat might not be managing the system at maximum efficiency. Those who are still using an outmoded manual dial or slide thermostat will want to consider upgrading to a digital model. Push button controls and easy to read digital display allow for more precise control over the temperature settings.

A programmable thermostat is even more efficient, giving homeowners the ability to heat and cool their homes without having to remember to adjust the temperature when they leave. Programmable thermostats can also be accessed by phone, ensuring complete control over the central air system. Are you considering upgrading your current thermostat? Always Plumbing & Heating has compiled several reasons to make the change to a programmable model.

Maximum Energy Savings

A programmable thermostat allows a household to maximize the efficiency of their central air system by scheduling the preferred temperatures around their lifestyle. It maintains the optimum comfort level when the family is home, but gives the air conditioner or heater a break when the house is empty. A programmable thermostat learns the schedule and adjusts the air to meet the needs of the household – without wasting energy by conditioning an empty house. This works throughout the year, maximizing energy use by “remembering” when to turn off (or adjust) the temperature according to need.

Convenience

In addition to getting the maximum amount of efficiency from your central air system, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of not having to worry about making adjustments throughout the day. Even with a busy and ever-changing schedule, you can program your thermostat in advance. A summer vacation, evening baseball practice or other changes in the daily or weekly schedule can be reflected in the multiple programming options. Weekday and weekend schedules are easy to facilitate – and even override if something changes. Intuitive designs with user-friendly digital displays make it easy to understand and master.

Remote Access

Many programmable thermostats are Wi-Fi enabled, which allows a homeowner to control the settings from a smart phone, tablet or computer. This means that even when you are away from home, you can make changes to the temperature settings. In the case of Edmonton homes, this is especially important during transitional months when the weather is particularly unpredictable. A sudden cold front or unexpected snowfall in October can make returning home an uncomfortable experience. Having remote access to the thermostat will allow you to heat up your home in time for your family to return. Wi-Fi enabled designs also give you control of your home’s temperature settings during vacations or extended time away.

Design Variety

There are a wide variety of programmable thermostats on the market. From simple “set and forget” options to complicated versions that also control humidity levels, you’ll find one that best fits your needs. Many new designs can perform system diagnostics on your HVAC, alert you when you need to change the filter and contain energy-tracking capabilities. There are even smart thermostats that can help with airflow and indoor air quality. Before you check out the various design and feature options, make a list of all the essential thermostat needs of your home.

Top 10 Smart Thermostats

Take control of your HVAC system and upgrade your old thermostat with a new programmable design. Save energy and money while maximizing comfort with a high tech thermostat that can learn your household schedule. Remember that the experts at Always Plumbing & Heating can help you with selection and installment of a new design. Call us at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) to schedule an appointment today!

Related Blogs:

Energy-Saving Tips for the Summer

Keeping Your HVAC Warranty Valid

Smart thermostat posts

To request a service appointment, give us a call at 780-489-8118 or contact us online.

Category: Central Air