Mold Growth

Mold Growth | Dehumidifier Installation | Heating and Air Conditioning | Sewanee

Living on the Cumberland Plateau means hot, humid summers and chilly, damp winters—perfect conditions for mold to sneak into ductwork, crawlspaces, and every corner of your home. HEP’s licensed HVAC technicians understand how quickly excess moisture can compromise indoor air quality, aggravate allergies, and sap the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Our tailored dehumidifier installation service targets the root of the problem, removing humidity before it can settle on coils or walls and helping your HVAC equipment run smoother, longer, and cheaper.

From the first moisture reading to the final airflow check, we handle everything in-house, offering transparent pricing and a 100% satisfaction guarantee to our Sewanee neighbors. Expect a discreet unit sized for your square footage, smart controls that sync with your existing thermostat, and ongoing maintenance tips to keep mold at bay year-round. Ready for crisp, clean air and lower energy bills? One call to HEP turns damp rooms into dry, comfortable spaces.

FAQs

Why is a whole-home dehumidifier important for preventing mold growth in Sewanee?

Sewanee sits on the Cumberland Plateau, where summer humidity regularly hovers above 70 %. Excess airborne moisture settles on walls, ductwork, and inside your air handler, creating the damp surfaces mold spores need to colonize. A dedicated dehumidifier keeps indoor relative humidity in the ideal 45 – 55 % range, depriving mold of moisture, protecting furnishings, and improving indoor air quality year-round.

How does mold get into my heating and air-conditioning system in the first place?

Mold spores are microscopic and constantly present in outdoor air. They enter your home every time doors or windows open and through your HVAC return vents. When warm, moist air meets a cool surface—like an evaporator coil or supply duct—condensation forms, giving the spores water and nutrients. Without proactive humidity control, colonies can establish inside duct insulation, drip pans, and even on registers, then circulate throughout the house each time the system runs.

Will a dehumidifier increase or decrease my energy bills?

In most cases, a properly sized whole-home dehumidifier lowers overall energy costs. By wringing excess moisture out of the air, it allows the thermostat to be set a few degrees higher while occupants feel just as comfortable, reducing run-time on the air conditioner. Drier air also helps the AC coil operate more efficiently and lessens the load from reheating caused by over-cooling. Customers in Sewanee typically see 5 – 15 % annual HVAC energy savings after installation.

How do you determine the right size dehumidifier for my home?

During our free in-home assessment, we measure square footage, ceiling height, infiltration rate, existing HVAC capacity, and typical indoor humidity levels. We then use ACCA Manual Zr and AHAM guidelines to recommend a unit with the correct pint-per-day removal rate—usually 70–120 pints for an average 2,000 sq ft Sewanee home. Oversizing wastes energy, while undersizing fails to reach target humidity, so precise calculations are critical.

What does the installation process look like and how long does it take?

Most installations are completed in one day. We mount the dehumidifier in a central location—often the mechanical room or a conditioned crawlspace—connect it to the existing supply or return ductwork, and set up a dedicated condensate drain to your sump or exterior. A calibrated humidistat is wired to your thermostat or installed as a standalone controller. Before we leave, we verify airflow, test for leaks, and demonstrate operation so you know exactly how to adjust settings.

What maintenance does a whole-home dehumidifier require?

Routine upkeep is minimal. Replace or rinse the unit’s air filter every 3–6 months (more often if you have pets or allergies), clear the condensate line annually, and have our technician inspect coils, fan motor, and humidity controls during your spring or fall HVAC tune-up. With proper care, quality units last 10–15 years and keep mold at bay without constant attention.