Air Conditioning System

HEP Heat and AirAir Conditioning System

Air Conditioning System | Dehumidifier Installation | Heating and Air Conditioning | Farragut

Excess moisture can make even the most perfectly cooled home in Farragut feel muggy, encourage mold growth, and drive up energy bills. HEP’s Air Conditioning System Heating and Air Conditioning team solves that problem with expert dehumidifier installation, seamlessly integrating a high-performance unit into your existing HVAC setup. By drawing out humidity before it circulates through your vents, we help you enjoy crisp, balanced air and maintain ideal indoor comfort all year long.

Our licensed technicians arrive on time, explain every step, and back their workmanship with industry-leading guarantees. From selecting the right capacity dehumidifier to precision install, testing, and ongoing maintenance, HEP handles it all—so you can breathe easier, protect your home, and keep energy costs in check. Call today and discover why Farragut homeowners trust HEP for dependable comfort solutions that work as hard as you do.

FAQs

Why should I add a whole-home dehumidifier to my HVAC system in Farragut’s humid climate?

Farragut and the greater Knoxville area routinely see outdoor relative humidity above 70 % from April through October. Even when your air conditioner is running, indoor humidity can linger above 55 %, creating a sticky feeling, encouraging mold growth, and making it harder for the AC to reach the set temperature. A properly sized, ducted dehumidifier pulls excess moisture from the air before it circulates through your home, keeping indoor RH in the ideal 45-50 % range. The results are noticeably greater comfort at higher thermostat settings (you can often raise the thermostat 2-3 °F), protection for wood floors and furnishings, fewer allergy triggers, and lower energy bills because the AC no longer has to over-cool just to remove moisture.

Will installing a dehumidifier affect the performance or efficiency of my existing air-conditioning system?

Yes—in a positive way. By removing latent (moisture) load from the air, a whole-home dehumidifier allows your air conditioner to focus strictly on sensible (temperature) cooling. That typically shortens AC run times, reduces compressor cycling, and can extend equipment life. Studies from manufacturers such as Aprilaire and Honeywell show total HVAC energy savings of 8-15 % in humid climates like ours. The unit is installed in the return or supply plenum and is controlled by its own humidistat, so it only operates when humidity rises above the set point. When properly integrated and balanced by our installers, static pressure and airflow remain within manufacturer specifications, so there is no negative impact on air distribution or comfort.

How is a whole-home dehumidifier installed and how long does the process take?

A typical installation involves four main steps: 1. Site evaluation and load calculation to confirm sizing and placement. 2. Mounting the dehumidifier in the mechanical room, attic, or crawlspace—usually adjacent to the air handler. 3. Cutting into the ductwork to connect an inlet and discharge collar, then sealing joints with mastic to prevent leaks. 4. Running a dedicated condensate drain to a floor drain or condensate pump and adding a 120-V or 240-V electrical circuit per local code. For most single-family homes in Farragut, the job is completed in one day (4-6 hours). Our crew tests airflow, calibrates the humidistat, and demonstrates operation before we leave. No special building permit is required beyond the standard HVAC mechanical permit we secure from Knox County.

What size dehumidifier do I need for my Farragut home, and how is sizing determined?

Whole-home dehumidifiers are rated by the number of pints of water they can remove in 24 hours (e.g., 70-, 95-, 130-pint). Proper sizing depends on: • Conditioned square footage and ceiling height • Number of occupants and pets • Infiltration rate (how tight or leaky the home is) • Presence of a basement or crawlspace • Typical indoor RH readings in summer During our free in-home assessment we perform a Manual J latent load calculation and examine your home’s ACH50 blower-door data if available. As a rule of thumb, a 2,500-sq-ft Farragut home with average leakage requires an 80-100-pint unit, while larger or more humid houses may need 130+ pints. Oversizing wastes energy, and undersizing runs constantly without reaching the set point, so professional calculation is critical.

How much does a professionally installed whole-home dehumidifier cost in Farragut, and what factors influence the price?

Installed costs generally range from $2,000 to $3,500 in the Farragut market. Pricing varies based on: • Capacity and brand (higher-capacity or Wi-Fi-enabled models cost more) • Complexity of duct modifications (flex vs. sheet-metal, attic vs. crawlspace) • Need for a new dedicated electrical circuit or condensate pump • Inclusion of a MERV-11 or MERV-13 inline filter cabinet • Available rebates—Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) offers incentives for high-efficiency indoor humidity control when paired with a heat pump upgrade. We provide a firm, written quote after the onsite evaluation, and flexible financing options starting at 0 % for 12 months.

What maintenance does a whole-home dehumidifier require, and can it be serviced during routine HVAC visits?

Maintenance is simple and can be bundled with your spring or fall HVAC tune-up: • Replace the air filter (usually 8 × 8 or 12 × 12) every 6 months. • Check and clean the internal coil annually to prevent bio-film buildup. • Verify condensate drain is clear and primed to avoid backups. • Inspect duct connections and insulation for air leaks. During your regular bi-annual HVAC service, our technician spends about 15 minutes performing these tasks and records humidity readings before and after. The dehumidifier’s sealed refrigeration circuit is covered by a 5-year parts warranty, and labor is included for the first year when you enroll in our Comfort Club maintenance plan.

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