Dehumidification Services
We provide quality dehumidification services for your basement, crawl space, or whole-house to manage moisture and keep you comfortable.
Do I Need a Dehumidifier?
Most people are aware of the uncomfortable, sweaty, and heavy feeling that high humidity brings. However, people don’t often associate issues like mold, pests, and many other home issues with high humidity even though they’re directly related! If you’re experiencing these issues, then schedule a consultation with one of our dehumidification specialists.
Symptoms of High Humidity in Home
Mold
There are three things that mold needs in order to grow: moisture, darkness, and food. The wood and sheetrock in your home are food for mold. And your home is full of dark crevices and spaces, like behind walls and in crawl spaces. So the only real way you can combat mold is to remove moisture, and keep humidity below 60%.
Wood-Destroying Pests
Just like other animals, wood-destroying insects need water to live. Crawl spaces in North Carolina are notorious for bringing in warm, moist air and then trapping that moisture. This creates condensation and even pools of water in your crawl space, attracting wood-destroying insects. Getting your crawl space clean and dry helps deter wood-destroying insects.
Wood Rot
Wood rot occurs when enough moisture is retained in the wood whereas bacteria is able to start eating and destroying it. This is why when lumber is created for construction, it has to be dry – that way it won’t rot! When you allow moisture to build up in your crawl space, you are allowing moisture to infiltrate the wood, which can lead to wood rot.
Uncomfortable Air
It’s that feeling when the air is thick and heavy, making it hard or impossible to cool off. When you’re hot, you sweat. And that sweat slowly evaporates into the air as moisture, taking heat with it and cooling you down. But when there’s a lot of moisture in the air, your sweat doesn’t evaporate as fast, so you feel hotter and sweatier. Dehumidification removes moisture from the air, allowing your sweat to evaporate.
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Smells & Odors
Foul odors are often associated with moisture and humidity. These smells can bleed through walls into other spaces, at times causing rooms or the whole home to reek!
Health Issues
Smelling mold and mildew means that it’s in the air and getting into your body. People can quickly develop sinus and breathing problems and can even be hospitalized! For those who have asthma or other respiratory issues, dehumidification is a must.
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What Size Dehumidifier Do I Need?
Sizing your dehumidifier depends on the square footage of the space and its humidity level. These variables together help you determine the system capacity. Dehumidifier capacity is rated on how much moisture it can remove within a 24 hours period. A 50-pint dehumidifier will remove 50 pints in a day, or rough 6.25 gallons a day (8 pints = 1 gallon).
Dehumidification Sizing Chart
| Condition & Humidity Level of Space | 500 Sq. Ft. | 1,000 Sq. Ft. | 1,500 Sq. Ft. | 2,000 Sq. Ft. | 2,500 Sq. Ft. |
| Moderately Damp conditions with 50%-60% humidity (Damp feeling, air can feel heavy or thick, slight odor in some cases) | 10 pints | 14 pints | 18 pints | 26 pints | 26 pints |
| Very Damp conditions with 60%-70% humidity (Strong odors., wet spots showing on walls, floors, and ceilings) | 12 pints | 17 pints | 22 pints | 27 pints | 32 pints |
| Wet conditions with 70%-80% humidity (Mold growth on walls, floors, & and ceilings, potentially damaging structure) | 14 pints | 20 pints | 26 pints | 32 pints | 38 pints |
| Extremely Wet conditions with 80%-100% humidity (Standing water in areas with potentially high levels of mold or mildew. Potential or permanent damage if left unchecked) | 16 pints | 23 pints | 30 pints | 37 pints | 44 pints |
Data from ENERGY STAR & Learn Metrics
What Should The Humidity Be In My House Or Space?
Ideal home humidity is around 30%-50%. This keeps you comfortable and your home healthy by decreasing mold activity. If it's below 30% humidity, the air will become so dry that it can cause people to have dry mouth, dry and itchy skin, or even nose bleeds. At 60% and above, mold can become active, start sporing, and grow within as little as 24 hrs. And as humidity increases, mold activity becomes more severe and costly to fix.
How Much Is a Dehumidifier?
Here are some estimates for the cost of various dehumidification systems.
- Cost of a whole-house dehumidifier( Internal link) with installation range from $2,500-$4,000.
- Cost of a crawl-space dehumidifier ( Internal link) with installation range from $2,100-$3,000.
- Cost of a basement dehumidifier ( Internal link) with installation range from $1,700-4,000.
- Portable units range from $40-$200+
Factors That Affect Dehumidifier Cost
Home square footage
The size of your home affects the amount of dehumidification you need. In general, more square footage means a larger system.
Unit Quality
Going with a lesser quality unit might save you money initially, but it could cost you more in the end with repairs or a shorter lifespan.
Existing Conditions
If your home is already dealing with moisture and humidity related issues, those will need to be addressed first. Items like pests, mold, and wood rot often require a professional to fix and clean. Depending on the severity, this can be costly.
Drainage
When it rains, water flows around your home and property. And water that sits against the foundation or walls of your house slowly seeps through over time. This not only causes mold and bacteria to build, but it can cause cracks in your foundation. Pushing that moisture away from your home will reduce the need for a bigger and pricer system. In addition, having proper gutters with downspouts and runoff areas also help remove and reduce moisture build-up.
Home Grading
If the earth and ground around your home slopes inward, then all the rain water around your home will flow up against your foundation, forcing water in. Proper drainage helps mitigate this, but you may need to regrade the ground around your home. Fixing this can be costly as large parts of your yard may need to be dug up.
Climate
The climate of your area greatly affects the amount of needed dehumidification. Humidity in North Carolina can be brutal, which means you'll need a bigger system.
Proximity to Water
Living near a lake, river, or another body of water adds to your home's humidity. Homes close to water are notorious for having mold and moisture issues, as they get exposed over time. Ultimately, this means that you may need a bigger system to accurately control your home's humidity.
Insulation
Imagine trying to cool your home in summer with the front door wide open. It’s not going to work and it's going to waste money as all the conditioned air from your HVAC system will leak out! Adding a dehumidifier to a poorly insulated home or space means you will need a bigger and pricer system. In addition, it will be constantly running to keep up, resulting in more repairs and higher energy costs.
Occupancy
The amount of people and what they do in your home affects humidity levels. Showering, cooking, opening and closing doors, etc. add moisture to the air that your dehumidifier will need to remove. This results in you needing a bigger and pricier system that has to run longer, also increasing your energy bill.
Warranty
Finding a dehumidification system with a good warranty or purchasing one from a dealer can help reduce costs from repairs and yearly maintenance.
The systems that we install have some of the best warranties in the industry. Ultra-aire (owned by Sante-fe) with a 6 year warranty and Aprilaire with a 5 year warranty (link goes to product manuals with warrant info). Across the industry, the standard is only 1-2.
Plus, we offer a 2-year labor installation warranty!
Whole-House Dehumidification
By far, the best and most efficient way to remove humidity from your home is with a whole-house dehumidification system. Often these systems can work with your existing HVAC ductwork and systems, allowing for increased comfort and lower monthly energy bills.
Crawl-Space Dehumidification
Crawl spaces are notorious for having mold and moisture issues. Often these spaces go unchecked for long periods of time, which allows for build-up of bacteria, pests, and mold. These issues can bleed into your home, affecting air quality and potentially causing parts of your home to be eaten or rot away. Crawl-space dehumidification is key to proper home maintenance and health.
Basement Dehumidification
The basement is a common area for moisture to build. Humidity from your house will naturally sink to the basement as the air cools, and your basement walls could be penetrated with moisture from the surrounding ground. Often you will see moisture collect on the walls, on cold floors, and maybe even pool in low lying areas. That moisture can create mold that will collect on walls, boxes, or whatever is down there. And that's why often basements can have a funky or musty odor. This will significantly affect your air quality, and if gone unchecked, could make your basement a dangerous place to be.
Dehumidification Brands We Work With
Ultra-Aire & Aprilaire
We install Ultra Aire dehumidifiers and Aprilaire dehumidifiers. Both brands are ENERGY STAR Certified, which means that the device runs efficiently, saves money, and has outstanding performance. Additionally, both brands offer great warranties. Ultra-aire (owned by Sante-fe) with a 6 year warranty and Aprilaire with a 5 year warranty. Across the industry, the standard is only 1-2.
To learn more about their products and specifications, check out these guides.
Benefits of a Dehumidifier
Having a proper dehumidification system set up in your home does more than just keep you comfortable.
Increase the Value of Your Home
Having a whole-house dehumidification system is a major value add as it not only increases the comfort, but helps reduce the total cost of ownership (TOC).
Saves Money
In North Carolina, the humidity is no joke! Properly managing your humidity levels means that your HVAC system won't have to work as hard during the summer and winter months.
Tax Deductions & Rebates
Many states offer tax incentives for adding energy efficient systems into your home. Check your state's regulations to see if you qualify.
Increased Comfort
As humans, we sweat to cool off. That sweat is absorbed by the air around us and pulls the heat of our bodies. But what happens if that air is already full of moisture? Your body can’t cool off because that moisture has nowhere to go. Managing your humidity levels will allow you to stay comfortable year-round.
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Reduces Allergies
Pollen, dust mites, and mold all thrive in high humidity environments. Having a dehumidification system helps to reduce the spread of these allergens in your home, improving your air quality and health.
Helps Reduce Pests
Humid environments breed pests like flies, roaches, and rats. These pests can not only get into your home, but also eat away at your home's structure. Removing that moisture helps keep pests out and your home strong and healthy.
Improved Health
Moisture causes mold and bacteria to build, and you may not see it! Basements, crawlspaces, even main living areas are susceptible when you have constant moisture. Removing that moisture prevents mold growth, keeping your home cleaner and healthier.
Dehumidification Services FAQ
Can Air Conditioners Dehumidify?
Sort of, but not efficiently. The same goes for heating systems. Most HVAC systems are designed to change the temperature of your home, not the humidity. This is why your HVAC system has a thermostat, not a humidistat. In order to remove the humidity from your home, you need a dehumidifier.
Most AC systems run on 20-50amps, while a whole-home dehumidifier runs on 4-10amps. So although your AC may dehumidify, it often costs 5-10x more to run.
What's the Difference Between a Humidifier and a Dehumidifier?
Dehumidifiers pull moisture out of the air and a humidifier adds moisture to the air. Humidifiers are mostly used in much drier areas, not in North Carolina where the humidity is very high.
How Long Do Dehumidifiers Last?
The average is 5-10 years. The key to a longer life span is maintenance. We offer a maintenance plan to help with your dehumidifier and other HVAC equipment.
How Much Electricity Does a Dehumidifier Use?
Depends on the number of pints it pulls. Here are some averages.
- 30 pint system uses 300-400 watts
- 50 pint system uses 400-500 watts
- 70 pint system uses 600-700 watts
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dehumidifier?
The average price of electricity in North Carolina is 13.31 cents per kWh. If your system uses 500 watts and you run it 24/7 (which is unlikely), then you will spend $1.60 a day to run the dehumidifier. To see your desired systems' daily energy costs, here's the math.
- Take your desires systems wattage. and multiply it by the hours used per day.
- Divide that number by 1000.
- Multiply it by the kilowatt-hours rate. In North Carolina, the current kWh is 13.31.
- Move despicable two numbers to the left and that's how much it costs each day to run.
Will a Dehumidifier Reduce Heating and Cooling Costs?
Yes, it will! The average yearly savings from installing a dehumidifier are around $250. These numbers are from Santa-fe dehumidifiers -- the only brand that Casey Services installs. Reducing the humidity of your home means that your heating and cooling system won’t have to work as hard. You won't have to set the thermostat to 68 just to feel cool -- you can leave it at 74 and feel great!
Are Dehumidifiers Energy Efficient?
Yes, they can be! It depends on what type you buy. Systems that are rated ENERGY STAR are some of the most efficient on the market. These systems meet strict EPA requirements, and in doing so, can help save money on heating and cooling costs each month. We install Ultra-Aire systems from Santa-fe and Aprilaire dehumidifiers and both brands only offer ENERGY STAR certified products.
