Excess Moisture
Excess Moisture | Dehumidifier Installation | Heating and Air Conditioning | Kingston
Kingston’s river air may be great for sailing, but inside your home it can soak carpets, warp woodwork, and leave that unmistakable musty smell. HEP’s certified technicians bring more than 20 years of indoor-air expertise to every dehumidifier installation, sizing each system precisely to your square footage and existing HVAC so you get dry, balanced air without wasting energy. We arrive on time, protect your floors, and leave you with a seamless setup that’s ready for the steamiest July afternoon or the damp chill of November.
A professionally installed, whole-home dehumidifier does more than chase away clammy rooms. It helps your AC run less often, lowers utility bills, and discourages mold, dust mites, and allergens that trigger sniffles and squeaky floors. With smart-control options, you can monitor humidity from your phone and let the unit work only when it’s truly needed.
Ready to rescue your home from excess moisture? Call or click today and HEP will schedule a no-pressure assessment, back the work with a satisfaction guarantee, and restore the crisp, comfortable air you deserve.
FAQs
Why is a whole-home dehumidifier important for homes in Kingston?
Kingston’s proximity to Lake Ontario means we experience frequent humidity spikes from spring through fall. When indoor RH (relative humidity) stays above 50–55 %, moisture condenses on windows, promotes mould, dust-mites and musty odours, and makes your air conditioner work harder. A properly sized whole-home dehumidifier removes this excess moisture automatically, protecting wood floors and furniture, improving indoor air quality, and keeping your home comfortable at a higher thermostat setting—often reducing cooling costs by up to 10 %.
How does a dehumidifier integrate with my existing heating and air-conditioning system?
During installation, our technicians tie the dehumidifier into your home’s return-air ductwork so moist air is drawn through the unit, dried, and then supplied back into the HVAC system for distribution. The condensate is piped to a floor drain or condensate pump. The unit has its own humidistat, but can also be controlled through many smart thermostats. Because it’s part of the central system, you don’t need multiple portable units and you still enjoy balanced airflow and filtration provided by your furnace fan and air cleaner.
What signs indicate I should consider a dehumidifier?
Common warning signs include persistent window condensation, musty smells in basements or closets, visible mould on walls or bathroom grout, cupping or warping hardwood floors, clammy comfort even when the A/C is running, and allergy or asthma flare-ups. If a low-cost hygrometer shows indoor RH regularly above 55 %, especially in the basement, a whole-home dehumidifier will solve the root cause rather than masking symptoms.
How do I choose the right size and model of dehumidifier?
Sizing is based on square footage, layout, basement conditions, existing insulation and typical moisture load (showers, cooking, occupants). We perform a free in-home assessment and use ACCA Manual LLH calculations to recommend capacity—usually 70–120 pints per day for average Kingston homes. We carry ENERGY STAR® rated units from Aprilaire, Honeywell and Trane that integrate seamlessly with most furnaces and heat pumps. Optional fresh-air ventilation models are available if your home also needs controlled outdoor air.
Will running a dehumidifier increase my energy bills?
A whole-home dehumidifier draws roughly the same power as a window A/C—around 3–6 kWh per day depending on runtime. However, by keeping humidity in check you can raise your cooling set-point 2–3 °C and still feel comfortable, which often offsets or surpasses the dehumidifier’s consumption. Many customers see overall summer utility costs remain flat or drop slightly because the air conditioner cycles less frequently and runs more efficiently.
What maintenance is required after installation?
Maintenance is simple: (1) Replace or wash the unit’s air filter every 6–12 months. (2) Ensure the condensate line remains clear—our installations include an accessible clean-out and optional float switch for overflow protection. (3) Once a year during your regular HVAC tune-up, we check refrigerant pressures, clean the coil, test the humidistat and verify drainage. With proper care, quality dehumidifiers last 10–15 years and remain under warranty when serviced annually by a licensed technician.