Excess Moisture
Excess Moisture | Dehumidifier Installation | Heating and Air Conditioning | Kelso
Tired of sticky summers and clammy winters in Kelso? HEP’s excess-moisture pros can restore the crisp, comfortable air you’ve been craving. Our licensed technicians pinpoint hidden humidity trouble spots, recommend the right-sized unit for your square footage, and complete precise dehumidifier installation that blends seamlessly with your existing HVAC system. From the first inspection to the final airflow check, we treat your home as carefully as our own—shoe covers on, drop cloths down, and every question answered in plain English.
Customers love how quickly they notice the difference: fewer musty odors, lower energy bills, and a dramatic drop in mold-friendly dampness. Plus, with 24/7 emergency support and transparent upfront pricing, you’ll never be left sweating the details. Reclaim your indoor comfort and protect your property—call HEP today and feel the Kelso air you deserve.
FAQs
Why is excess moisture a common issue in Kelso homes?
Kelso’s location along the Cowlitz River and its cool, wet Pacific Northwest climate mean outdoor humidity stays high for much of the year. When that moist air infiltrates a home, it condenses on cooler surfaces, fostering mold, mildew, warped wood, and musty odors. A properly sized, professionally installed dehumidifier keeps indoor humidity in the recommended 30–50 % range, protecting your home’s structure, furnishings, and your family’s respiratory health.
How can I tell if I need a whole-home dehumidifier instead of portable units?
Warning signs include persistent condensation on windows, a musty smell in multiple rooms, visible mold or mildew, cupping hardwood floors, and indoor humidity readings above 55 %. If these symptoms occur throughout the house—not just in a single room—portable units won’t keep up. A whole-home dehumidifier connects to your existing HVAC ductwork, treating every conditioned space evenly while operating quietly out of sight.
What size dehumidifier does my house require?
Sizing is based on square footage, ceiling height, typical moisture load, and how tightly your home is built. For example, a 2,000 sq ft Kelso home might need a 70–90 pints-per-day unit, while a larger, 3,500 sq ft house could need 120 pints or more. During a free in-home assessment, our technicians measure humidity levels, inspect insulation and ventilation, and use ACCA Manual J calculations to match you with the optimal capacity so you avoid both under- and over-sizing issues.
What is involved in installing a whole-home dehumidifier with my existing HVAC system?
We typically mount the dehumidifier in the basement, crawl space, or mechanical room, then tie it into the return-air plenum so it can pull moist air from across the home. Conditioned, drier air is then supplied back into the duct system or directly into the supply plenum, depending on layout. We also run a dedicated drain line to your sump, condensate pump, or exterior, wire the unit to your HVAC controls or a standalone humidistat, and test airflow and humidity to verify performance—all in one day for most installations.
Will running a dehumidifier raise my energy bills?
A dehumidifier does draw electricity, but lowering humidity makes you feel cooler at the same thermostat setting. Many homeowners can set the temperature 2–3 °F higher in summer, trimming air-conditioning runtime enough to offset most—sometimes all—of the dehumidifier’s energy use. Additionally, drier air helps your HVAC system run more efficiently by reducing latent heat load, which can extend equipment life and reduce maintenance costs.
How often does a whole-home dehumidifier need maintenance?
Plan on a quick tune-up once a year, ideally before the damp spring season hits Kelso. Maintenance includes cleaning or replacing the air filter, flushing and sanitizing the drain line, inspecting the fan and coils, checking refrigerant pressures, and verifying humidistat calibration. Enrolling in our annual HVAC maintenance plan ensures your dehumidifier gets serviced alongside your heating and cooling equipment for worry-free humidity control year-round.