Humidification & Dehumidification

Your ability to feel comfortable in your home has as much to do with the humidity content of the air as it does with temperature. When it's very dry in the winter, your body loses moisture very rapidly and you feel colder than the air temperature would indicate. In the summer when it's very moist, your body can't cool itself properly and you feel hotter than on another warm day at a low humidity level.

Winter Humidity
At 70 degrees F. the comfortable humidity range is between 30% and 40% R.H. (relative humidity). The average home will drop to 20% without the use of a humidification system. Humidifiers are available in three basic physical configurations: desktop, console and central. Desktop units are generally capable of humidifying one or two small bedrooms. Console units are larger and can deliver enough humidity for three to six rooms. Central units are mounted on the same ductwork that heats your home. Moisture is added to the air, then distributed to all of the rooms in your home through the duct system. There are also three basic systems used to create humidity.

Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic units utilize a high frequency vibration that atomizes the water to form a vapor that rises out of the unit humidifier in a fog-like cloud. These units are very effective for use in a smaller room such as a bedroom. The ultrasonic units are usually manufactured as desktop models. Some reports indicate that the ultrasonic vibration leaves a residue, which needs to be cleaned up.

Absorption
Absorption utilizes a sponge like material that rotates in and out of a bath of water. When the sponge is exposed to the air, a small fan blows the rooms air across the now wet portion of the sponge. Absorption models are available in desktop, console and central configurations. Because the water surface is relatively motionless, the unit requires frequent cleaning due to the build up of chemicals and scum on the surface of the water and container.

Steam
Steam units utilize an electrical heating element (similar to water heater tank) to heat water to the boiling point and create steam. The steam then leaves the humidifier unit and is distributed into the house. Steam units are the most expensive units to install and operate, yet have the greatest humidity output rating.

Summer Dehumidification
Removing moisture from your home during the warm and moist days of summer requires the use of a refrigeration system. You're likely to be familiar with the simplest form of dehumidifier which is manufactured as a console type, often used in basements. Cooling systems also remove moisture from the air as they cool the air.

If a space needs to be kept both cool and dry, then a cooling system is usually the best approach to use. If you only need to dry the air, like in a basement that doesn't have living space, then a dehumidifier may be all you need.

Pools, wine rooms, exercise spaces and other locations require special attention and custom design. Please feel free to contact us with any question you may have about a custom design.

National, State, and Local Safety Codes
Our experienced and licensed staff believes that these codes are a valuable system to ensure systems are installed properly. At Keyes North Atlantic our work always meets or exceeds the code requirements. If you'd like to know more about our licenses and credentials, we welcome you to the Insurance and Licenses portion of our Credentials section.

Insurance
We are fully covered for workers compensation insurance, and we carry two million dollars of general liability insurance. We are happy to forward certificates of insurance coverage to you for your records. Or view them right here in the Insurance and Licenses portion of our Credentials section.

Warranties and Guarantees
We provide a full one-year guarantee on our work, equipment, and materials. This guarantee is provided in addition to the warranties, which the manufacturers provide on the equipment that we install in your home. Click here for more information on our workmanship warranty.