Here's What You Need To Know To Keep Cool This Summer

Having trouble sleeping? Finding your doors sticky? Do the rooms smell musty? If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you may have high humidity (or too much moisture) in your home.

First, a quick rundown of why high humidity in hot weather causes so much personal discomfort. When your body is too warm, it produces sweat to stay cool. The moisture evaporating off your skin removes heat and makes you feel better. However, if the air is humid and already saturated with moisture, your sweat can’t evaporate, leaving you with a very muggy feeling.

The ideal humidity level for your home should be between 30 and 50 percent. During the summer, managing humidity is especially important for indoor comfort because warm air holds a lot more moisture than cold air. In your daily life, you experience this change in humidity levels when you shower, cook with uncovered pots on the stove, or leave standing water in a tub or sink (i.e. take a bath or wash dishes). To find out the humidity level in your home, you can use a hygrometer purchased from most home improvement retailers.

Let’s talk about air conditioners. ACs reduce humidity by drawing warm indoor air through a cold evaporator coil and condenses the water vapor from the air. The condensation is similar to the water beads that form on a cold drink. The water collected is then removed through a drain.

So, what if you’ve got the air conditioner running but your home still feels unbearably humid? It’s most likely because you’ve got an incorrectly sized unit or your equipment needs servicing. Having the right size AC for the job is crucial. Think about it this way. If you had a tiny window in a large room, or a huge window in a tiny room, you either have the window open 24/7 or you’ll find yourself opening and closing it constantly to reach a comfortable temperature. Neither sized window would be very effective. If your AC is too large, it will run for shorter amounts of time and stop before the length of time needed to dehumidify your home. If it’s too small, it can’t remove enough heat or humidity to reach the desired temperature and therefore runs all the time. The best thing to do is to get an assessment from a professional HVAC specialist who can calculate the appropriate size AC your home needs.

Just like temperature, having the right humidity level at home is imperative to staying comfortable. Understanding what comfort feels like to you will help you identify which systems you need and how you can make your space more energy efficient.

Bring the kids, bring your friends, it's time to enjoy the Concerts in the Park once again this year and they have a pretty exciting lineup. From July 6 - August 24, 2023 at Riverwalk Commons (200 Doug Duncan Dr.) Every Thursday evening there is a free tribute band concert and each concert will feature amazing local performers and a premier tribute band. 

Concert Dates: 

Thursday July 27 - The Liverpool 4 (Canada's tribute to The Beatles)

Thursday August 3 - The Natural Women Show (a tribute to Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and Chaka Kahn)

Thursday August 10 - Epic Elton (a tribute to Elton John)

Thursday August 17 - George St. Kitts Band (Ultimate 80's pop – the best of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Prince, Madonna and more!)

Thursday August 24 - Blushing Brides (The original tribute to the Rolling Stones)

These concerts are a lot of fun and to top it off, each Thursday there will be food and beverages available from some the local restaurants and breweries.

I hope to see you there! And, don't forget to bring your chair :)

Breathe Easier By Doing This Simple Task

There are many tasks that need to be checked off your home maintenance list on a regular basis. Shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, and sweeping floors are just a few examples of basic home duties that help ensure your home is both functional and comfortable.

Another crucial home maintenance job that all homeowners should know about is changing the air filter in the furnace. Dust, dirt, hair, and other debris get trapped in the air filter. Over time, the filter can become clogged, restricting the flow of air through the filter and into the home. Not only does this reduce the air quality, but it also negatively impacts the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Use this guide to learn more about air filters and find out how often you should change your home's air filter.

What Is an Air Filter?

There are two common types of home air filters, including spun fiberglass and pleated paper. The filters are designed to trap dust, dirt, pet hair, lint, mold, bacteria, and other contaminants.

By filtering these contaminants, a furnace's filter improves the air quality within a home, making it easier to breathe. This is especially important in homes with individuals that suffer from allergies or respiratory conditions.

The easiest way to find an air filter that is suitable for your home is to locate the filter that is already installed. Check the sides of the existing air filter to find the dimensions, then head online or to a local home improvement store to find an air filter that matches the listed dimensions.

How Often Should You Change an Air Filter?

When an air filter has been in use for a long period of time, it gradually begins to restrict the air flow through the heating and cooling system. This reduces the efficiency of the system, leading to higher heating and cooling bills. If the filter remains unchanged, it can even shorten the life of the furnace or air conditioner, so it's important to include air filter replacement on your list of recurring home maintenance jobs.

When you purchase a new air filter, check the manufacturer's recommendations to get a basic idea of how frequently to change the filter. On average, you should change a fiberglass air filter about once every 30 days, while you can leave a pleated air filter for about three to six months before needing to replace it.

If you're installing the air filter in a vacation home, cottage, or other property that isn't commonly used, you can usually wait a bit longer to replace the filter. Wait up to three months to change a fiberglass air filter and nine to 12 months before changing a pleated air filter.

Just keep in mind that every home is different. What may be a suitable air filter replacement frequency for one home might not be the right choice for every home. To get a better understanding of when to replace an air filter, consider the size of the home, number of people, number of pets, and whether there is anyone that has severe allergies or that smokes inside the home.

Replace the air filter to restore airflow, improve heating and cooling efficiency, and increase the air quality throughout the home. If you change the air filter and these problems persist, it's recommended to contact a professional HVAC technician to help address the root of the issue.