Indoor humidity levels should be maintained between 35 and 60% for optimum comfort and health. High humidity makes the air feel hot and sticky and hinders the body’s ability to regulate temperature. It can be tempting to lower the thermostat setting. While the air conditioner is then required to work harder, the process of pulling heat out of the air doesn’t solve the problem. There’s still an excessive amount of moisture. Unfortunately high humidity causes bigger worries than high energy bills. Spending time in a muggy environment can actually make a person sick. Air that contains more than 60% humidity is ideal for bacteria, dust mites, fungi and viruses to thrive and multiply. Plus, they stay airborne for longer periods of time, increasing the risk of breathing them in and major health concerns. Asthma attacks, aggravated symptoms of allergies, sneezing, coughing, headaches, nausea, difficulty sleeping and lack of energy are a few of the consequences. A lack of fresh air or inadequate ventilation can be responsible for problematic humidity levels. Oversized air conditioners can also be to blame. A unit that is too powerful for the space turns on and off too frequently, never operating long enough to properly remove humidity. A solution for handling moisture is a whole-home dehumidifier. These devices install directly into the cooling system and pull moisture out of the air as it passes through. They operate almost silently, require only annual maintenance and work to pay for themselves by allowing higher thermostat settings. Because the air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard, it uses less energy and costs less to operate. There’s also the added benefit of lessening wear and tear on the air conditioner, resulting in greater reliability and longevity.