Heat and humidity go hand in hand with summer in Kansas City. There’s just no avoiding it. During the summer months, it’s not uncommon for Kansas City to have relative humidity levels as high as 85 percent on sultry mornings. That humidity can leave you feeling sticky and make the temperatures feel even hotter than they actually are. And, in addition to the humidity provided by Mother Nature, you can add as much as 25 pounds of additional moisture to the air in your home by cooking, cleaning, or showering.

While you can’t avoid the humidity outdoors, you can control it inside your home. The Aprilaire 1850 whole house dehumidifier will reduce the moisture levels in your home to keep you comfortable all summer long. While your air conditioning system can help combat humidity to an extent, that is not its primary function and it can only do so much. The Aprilaire 1850 works with your air conditioning system to maintain a comfortable and healthy humidity level in your home even on the most humid days. During cooler weather when air conditioning may not be needed, it works independently to keep your humidity levels down.

A whole house dehumidifier works by pulling the air from every room of your home through the return ducts in your HVAC system. The air passes around cooled coils where the moisture is removed. The dehumidified air is then recirculated back into your home.

There are several benefits to using a whole house dehumidifier:

• Improved comfort – The humidity levels we experience here in Kansas City during the summer are too much for air conditioning systems to adequately control. Even with your air conditioner running, you may still feel sticky or warm. A whole house dehumidifier will pull the excess moisture from the air, allowing you to feel more comfortable even at higher temperatures.

• Energy savings – When the humidity level in your home is high, you may find yourself turning your thermostat down to try and compensate. With a whole house dehumidifier, the reduced moisture in the air will feel cooler, meaning you can set your thermostat higher and still feel comfortable. Setting your thermostat even a few degrees higher can result in significant savings on your energy bills.

• Improved air quality – Mold, mildew, and dust mites, as well as bacteria and viruses, thrive in humid conditions, especially at levels above 60 percent. This can contribute to asthma, allergies, and respiratory problems. A whole house dehumidifier will keep the humidity levels in your home at a low level, preventing the growth of mold and reducing allergens.

• Prevention of moisture damage – In addition to the effects it causes to your personal comfort, excess moisture in the air can cause damage to your home. Excess moisture encourages the growth of mold and can cause wood floors, trim, and furniture to warp or rot.

The Aprilaire 1850 whole house dehumidifier removes up to 95 pints (almost 12 gallons) of moisture from the air each day and provides dehumidification for up to 5,200 square feet of space. You can set the humidity level for your personal comfort level. The EPA recommends maintaining a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. The Aprilaire 1850 monitors the humidity level of the air in your home and kicks on when it senses the moisture level is above the setting you selected. Unlike a portable dehumidifier, there are no trays to empty. The only maintenance required is to clean or replace the filter once per year.

Overland Park Heating and Cooling is currently offer a $200 discount on the Aprilaire 1850 whole house dehumidifier. For more information, see the coupon on our coupons page.