Existing HVAC
Existing HVAC | Dehumidifier Installation | Heating and Air Conditioning | McMinnville
Whether your McMinnville home battles sticky summers or damp winter chills, HEP’s trusted HVAC team delivers the perfect balance of comfort and efficiency. Our licensed technicians pair cutting-edge heating and air conditioning solutions with precision dehumidifier installation, removing excess moisture that fuels mold, allergens, and musty odors. You’ll feel the difference in every breath—crisp, clean air that protects your family’s health, preserves woodwork and furniture, and keeps energy bills comfortably low.
From the first friendly phone call to the final system check, we treat your house as if it were our own. Expect punctual arrivals, transparent pricing, and a workmanship guarantee that backs every bolt we tighten. Discover why homeowners across McMinnville rely on HEP to create an ideal indoor climate all year long—because when it comes to comfort, Homeowners Expect Perfection.
FAQs
Why would a home in McMinnville need a whole-home dehumidifier if I already have an air conditioner?
While air conditioners remove some moisture as a by-product of cooling, they cycle off once your thermostat reaches set temperature. In McMinnville’s humid summers, indoor relative humidity can still hover above 60 %, leading to clammy air, mold growth, and dust-mite activity. A dedicated dehumidifier monitors humidity independently of temperature and draws out moisture whenever levels exceed your chosen set point (typically 45-50 %). That means you stay comfortable without over-cooling the house or running the A/C longer than necessary.
How is a whole-home dehumidifier installed within my existing HVAC system?
Our technicians mount the dehumidifier in the mechanical room, attic, or crawl space and hard-duct it into the supply or return plenum of your forced-air system. A condensate line is routed to a proper drain or condensate pump, and a low-voltage control wire is run to a dedicated wall-mounted humidistat or to your smart thermostat if it supports humidity control. The unit draws moist air from the return side, removes water, and delivers dry, conditioned air back into the supply ductwork, ensuring even humidity control throughout the home.
What size dehumidifier do I need for my house?
Sizing depends on square footage, typical indoor moisture loads (people, cooking, showers), number of air changes per hour, and the tightness of your building envelope. During your free in-home assessment we measure indoor RH, inspect crawl spaces and attic ventilation, and calculate the latent load using ACCA Manual LL guidelines. Most McMinnville homes require units in the 70-100 pint-per-day range, while larger or older, leakier homes may need 120 pints or multiple units. Correct sizing ensures efficient operation and avoids short-cycling.
How much does professional dehumidifier installation cost and how long does it take?
Turn-key installation—including the unit, ducting, condensate drainage, electrical hookup, humidistat, and labor—typically ranges from $2,200 to $3,800 for a single-family home in McMinnville. Crawl-space units may run slightly higher due to encapsulation work. The on-site portion usually takes 4–6 hours, so most projects are completed in one day without significant disruption to your routine.
What maintenance does a whole-home dehumidifier require?
1) Replace or clean the internal air filter every 6–12 months (more often if you have pets or allergies). 2) Check and flush the condensate drain line each spring to prevent clogs and microbial growth. 3) Vacuum dust from the exterior coils annually. 4) Have our HVAC technician perform a full inspection and humidity calibration during your regular spring or fall tune-up. Routine care extends equipment life to 10–15 years and keeps energy consumption low.
Will installing a dehumidifier improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency?
Yes. Lower humidity discourages mold, mildew, and dust mites, significantly improving IAQ for asthma and allergy sufferers. Because dry air feels cooler, most homeowners raise the thermostat 2-3 °F in summer after installation, trimming A/C run-time by up to 15 %. Removing excess moisture also reduces the latent load on your air conditioner, helping it last longer. In winter, balanced humidity prevents condensation on windows and limits musty odors from crawl spaces or basements.