How to Reduce Humidity & Improve Air Quality in Bend This Spring

From rising pollen counts to higher humidity levels, spring weather can have a negative impact on indoor air quality (IAQ) in Bend and Redmond. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to alleviate your indoor humidity and prevent allergy flare-ups. Central Oregon Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical can assess your air quality and determine the best remediation approach.

Why Spring Creates Indoor Air Quality Problems

When springtime arrives in Central Oregon, it brings along increased rain, damp conditions, and rising humidity levels. As the weather warms up, pollen also gets into your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. 

During the winter, homes are tightly sealed up. When homeowners open their windows in the spring, all of the dust that settled during the colder months is stirred up. Because of the pollen infiltration, dust issues, and mold growth, many people experience spring allergies indoors and outdoors.

How High Humidity Affects Your Home

For Bend and Redmond residents, we generally recommend an indoor humidity level between 30% and 50%. If your humidity levels get too high, it can cause:

• Mold and mildew growth
• Musty smells
• Warped wood and furniture damage
• Strained HVAC systems
• Increased allergy issues
• Higher cooling bills

Signs Your Indoor Air Quality Is Suffering

You may be having HVAC air quality issues if you notice the following symptoms.

• Frequent allergy flare-ups
• Condensation on your windows
• Persistent musty odors, even when the AC is on
• Excessive dust buildup
• Stale or stuffy air

If your indoor humidity is too low, there may be static when you do laundry. You may also notice symptoms of dry air, such as chapped lips, dry skin, and nosebleeds.

How Your HVAC System Impacts Humidity and Air Quality

Ensuring the right HVAC maintenance and equipment is about more than just heating and cooling your home. Through a well-maintained HVAC system, you can improve air quality in your home, lower the humidity level, and enjoy a better level of comfort.

1. Air Filters and MERV Ratings

A higher MERV rating means an air filter has a higher capacity for moving particles from the air. Typically, a MERV 11 to 13 rating will work well at trapping pollen and dust. Because of how small these airborne particles are, lower ratings don’t have the filtration capacity to catch common allergens.

2. Whole-Home Dehumidifiers

By getting a dehumidifier, you can reduce humidity in your house. Unlike a portable dehumidifier, these units are able to lower humidity in your entire home. They also require significantly less cleaning and refilling.

Instead, whole-home dehumidifiers are connected to your HVAC system so that all of your home’s air supply can be treated. Because of this, these dehumidifiers for your home are ideally suited for damp climates and homes that have consistent humidity issues.

3. Air Purifiers and UV Lights

Bacteria and mold spores can harm your indoor air quality and your overall health. Air purifiers work by filtering or neutralizing pathogens in the air. With a UV light, the genetic material in bacteria, viruses, and mold spores is disrupted. As a result, they can reduce indoor allergens and improve your overall IAQ.

4. Proper Ventilation

While opening your windows might feel effective for your home’s ventilation, it isn’t a good idea during pollen season. Instead, it’s better to choose alternative approaches to home ventilation, such as exhaust setups and fresh air exchange systems. Your bathroom and kitchen exhaust can vent excess humidity, foul odors, and combustion byproducts outside of your home. Meanwhile, a fresh air exchange system exchanges stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air. Heat is transferred from one source to another, reducing the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your home.

5. HVAC Maintenance and Coil Cleaning

Dirty coils and clogged drain lines increase moisture, leading to mold growth. By investing in routine maintenance, you can prevent mold from growing inside your home.

DIY Tips To Improve Spring Air Quality

To boost your indoor air quality in spring and summer, remember to use the following tips.

• Replace your air filters every one to three months. 
• Keep your windows closed during peak pollen seasons.
• Always run the bathroom fan after showering.
• Use your ceiling fans to circulate air instead of opening your windows.
• Make sure your vents are open and unobstructed.

When To Call a Professional

If you’re struggling with humidity control, our team can help. We recommend reaching out to an HVAC technician if you notice the following issues.

• Persistent mold odors
• Visible mold
• Chronic indoor allergies
• High humidity readings
• An HVAC system that struggles to achieve an adequate comfort level

Spring Is the Best Time for an HVAC Tune-Up

Before peak season arrives, it’s a good idea to schedule an HVAC tune-up. Besides beating the rush and avoiding unexpected breakdowns, spring tune-ups can also help you clean your HVAC components, boost energy efficiency, and avoid mold growth.

FAQs

What is the ideal humidity level for a home in the springtime?

We generally recommend keeping your home’s relative humidity between 30% to 50% for the best balance of mold prevention and comfort.

Why does indoor air quality matter in Central Oregon?

Indoor air quality matters in Central Oregon because seasonal wildfire smoke, spring pollen, and shifting humidity levels can affect the air inside your home. Poor IAQ can trigger allergies, worsen asthma, cause headaches, and increase the risk of mold growth.

By maintaining your HVAC system, upgrading filtration, and managing humidity levels, homeowners in Bend and Redmond can create a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment year-round.

Do HVAC systems reduce humidity?

Yes, they can. When air passes over the evaporator coils, the water vapor condenses. Then, it is transferred out of your home through the condensate drain lines. 

However, this process only occurs when your heat pump or AC is on. Because of this, many homeowners also install a whole-home dehumidifier to ensure the right humidity level is present all the time.

Can high humidity cause mold?

Absolutely. Mold requires moisture to grow. When the relative humidity is above 60%, it can cause condensation and fuel mold growth. If the relative humidity gets above 70%, mold growth accelerates rapidly.

How do I know if my air quality is poor?

The easiest way to find out is by scheduling a professional air quality test. You and your family members will likely notice symptoms of poor air quality as well, such as allergy flare-ups, respiratory illnesses, asthma attacks, headaches, and fatigue. Over time, your home may develop dust buildup and visible mold growth.

Do I need a whole-home dehumidifier?

If your humidity levels are frequently above the target range of 30% to 50%, a whole-home dehumidifier is a good choice. You may also want a dehumidifier if you frequently notice mold growth, sticky air, or musty odors in your home.

Does indoor air quality matter during winter?

Yes, indoor air quality matters during heating season because homes are sealed tightly to keep warm air in, which also traps dust, allergens, pet dander, and other pollutants inside. As your furnace or heat pump runs, these particles can continuously circulate throughout your home.

Without proper filtration, ventilation, and routine HVAC maintenance, indoor pollutants can build up quickly, which can lead to allergy flare-ups, dry air discomfort, and reduced overall comfort during the winter months.