Nature's Aire Systems F.A.Q.'s
Dehumidification
I have air conditioning. Air conditioning also dehumidifies so do I need a Natures’ Aire System?
Today’s high efficiency air conditioning systems do not run as long as older less efficient systems. This results in less time to dehumidify your home. Even with older, less efficient system, humidity levels can stay above 50% for extended periods. Normal ground humidity infiltration, air exchanges from open doors, showers, cooking, pets, the 5 pints of moisture introduced per person per day and one can see why small, retail systems are simply not able to remove enough moisture to be effective and why all homes need a high capacity “Air Dry” system. Remember humidity levels of 50% or more will allow mold and dust mites to prosper contributing to allergies, odors and an overall unhealthy environment.
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How much will the Ultra Dehumidifier cost to operate?
The cost to operate the Ultra Dehumidifier depends on the moisture load present. If there is a 65-pint load per day in the house, it will cost approximately $20 per month to operate the Ultra Dehumidification Unit to remove this amount of water. In comparison, it would cost about $59 per month to remove the same amount of water using one 25-pint and one 40-pint residential dehumidifier.
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What about running a smaller dehumidifier in just the bedroom?
A recent study showed that providing dehumidification to a single bedroom did not significantly reduce the humidity or the allergen levels present in the bedroom.** The humidity from the rest of the house will overwhelm the efforts to dehumidify a single room.
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How will the added heat affect my air conditioner?
Because the moisture load has been removed from the air conditioner, it is able to cool the air more efficiently. Homes that maintain a lower relative humidity is more comfortable and require less cooling. The tendency is to set the thermostat at 78 to 80 degrees rather than 72 degrees thus compensating for relatively small heat load. Additionally, if the unit is exhausted into a basement, the unit moderates the naturally low temperature air associated with basements adding to overall comfort.
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How large an area can one unit handle?
A single Natures’ Aire Systems Ultra, Ultra Decorator or Pro-100 will maintain relative humidity levels below 50 percent in air conditioned structures up to 2,500 square feet, even if there is more than one air conditioning system. In larger homes, the Pro150 can control up to 3,500 square feet or multiple units can easily be employed.
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Why not buy two or more small residential dehumidifiers (for less money), instead of one Ultra Dehumidifier?
There are several reasons why one Ultra Dehumidifier is better than two or more residential dehumidifiers. First and foremost, two fifty pint residential dehumidifiers do not equal the water removal capacity of one ULTRA DEHUMIDIFIER in a basement application. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) rating system used for dehumidifiers reflects the performance at 80ºF and 60% RH. It is a mistake to assume that equal performance at these conditions means equal performance in the cooler conditions present in basements. In fact, most residential dehumidifiers, even those that contain a defrost feature, do not recommend operation below 65ºF and in some cases 70ºF. The performance of typical residential dehumidifiers at these temperatures is minimal, if they function at all. The ULTRA DEHUMIDIFIER is designed to operate in temperatures as low as 55ºF and will still remove over 60 pints a day at 60ºF and 60% RH. This is the caliber of performance required to reduce the relative humidity below 50% and eliminate mold growth.
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How often do I need to empty the unit?
- All our units do not require emptying.
- The Ultra unit comes with 15 feet by 25 feet of drain hose to run to a suitable drain. If necessary a small pump can be supplied ($49.75) to automatically pump the water to a sink, drain or outside. This pump has a 3/8“ hose.
- The Ultra Decorator comes with the automatic pump installed.
- The Pro 100 & Pro 150 are install adjacent to your existing Air Conditioning system so the water drain is simply piped into the existing Air Conditioning condensate drain
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Why is 50 percent relative humidity so critical?
The survival of adult dust mites is limited to 4 to 11 days in relative humidity below 50 percent. Dust mites in the protonymph stage, however, can survive in this dormant larval stage for several months waiting for high humidity conditions to return.
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