FAQ

Air filters are only effective on particles suspended in the air. The dust mite allergen is relatively large and dense compared to other particles, therefore, it does not stay airborne for a sufficient amount of time to travel a significant distance or through ductwork. Direct contact with these allergens in their breeding grounds is how individuals are exposed to them in the home. This is unaffected by air filtration devices.

The survival of adult dust mites is limited to 4 to 11 days in relative humidities 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.

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.

Because the moisture load has been removed from the air conditioner, it is able to cool the air more efficiently. Homes that maintain lower relative humidities are more comfortable and require less cooling. The tendency is to set the thermostat at 78 to 80 degrees rather than 72 degrees.

An increase in the amount of ventilation will increase the energy costs required to condition the fresh air to indoor levels. It is important to understand that some ventilation is occurring all the time. This is called natural ventilation. The actual increase in the overall rate and, in turn, the increase in utility costs is normally not significant.