Innovative Dehumidifier Systems, LLC Recommends Dehumidifier Use During Fall Season
OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. – Fall is prime time for mold when you are not running an HVAC system, and there is excess outdoor air humidity. A dehumidifier keeps the environment comfortable while preventing mold from becoming an unwanted houseguest. Innovative Dehumidifier Systems offers the IW-25 solution to prevent mold and resolve humidity, and the unit is designed specifically to install in the wall and drain to existing plumbing.
Mold needs three ingredients to grow rapidly: moisture, food and dark spaces. Remove one of those ingredients and the microorganism will be stymied. Innovative Dehumidifier Systems’ IW-25 prevents mold by taking away moisture. The unit is independent from the HVAC system and quieter than most refrigerators. In a normal day, the IW-25 can remove up to 25 pints of water from the air. This water can be drained into the structure’s existing plumbing, so residents don’t have to worry about emptying reservoirs.
Many property owners are unaware of what a problem mold can be when the weather begins to cool. These tiny spores are usually associated with spring or summer. But, according to WebMD, mold is one of the leading fall allergies. Human health is often affected by extremes of relative humidity in the atmosphere, causing symptoms which may be alleviated by a dehumidifier. People with sensitivities to mold can experience an itchy rash, runny nose, red eyes and sneezing, among other symptoms. Those with asthma are at a higher risk of having mold-related health issues.
The waning days of summer see a spike in mold for several reasons. On the one hand, many homes and apartments are running their air conditioners less often. Air conditioners work to cool the air, and as a secondary result pulls out moisture. When HVAC units are used less, your house has no active cooling and no active dehumidification. As a result, your indoor relative humidity is going to rise. A well-insulated home in a very humid climate may have a hard time keeping indoor humidity under control during the fall season.
Open windows are another factor encouraging fall mold growth. While it’s tempting to let in the fresh breezes, there’s a risk that mold spores will be carried inside where they may begin growing on any moist surface. This is especially true when piles of damp leaves and other vegetation dot the property. Once temperatures reach the point that home heating systems start firing up, a third issue arises. Many types of heating increase moisture levels, and the now-closed windows aren’t going to let that moisture escape. Potentially making this issue worse is the virtually airtight envelope of homes and apartments made possible by modern construction techniques.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers some practical guidance on how to prevent mold. Initially it is essential to clean up spills and repair leaks as quickly as possible. Wet floors and walls, particularly if they’re in a dark, hidden area of the home, are fertile ground for mold. The agency suggests keeping vent fans on while showering and making sure that appliances like dryers, stoves and heaters have exterior exhaust pipes that are fully functional.
Some of the EPA’s advice is most relevant in the fall months. For example, repairing and cleaning gutters ensures water is transported down and away from the home. A gutter clogged with leaves is not doing its job, and it’s also a great place for mold and other fungi to colonize. And, from there, it’s not hard to imagine how it might get inside the property. Perhaps the number one piece of advice is to install a reliable dehumidifier that can help maintain indoor humidity levels between 40- 50 percent, and never more than 60 percent. The IW-25 is designed to do precisely that.
