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Humidity Hampers Energy Efficiency Find ways to lower the humidity indoors and enjoy more comfort


W


hy does a 95°F day in southeast Oklahoma feel hotter than the same temperature in


Oklahoma Panhandle? Why do dry heat and humid heat feel so different, and how does this affect your energy use?


Generally speaking, when there is more moisture in the air, the temperature feels hotter than it actually is because the moisture evaporates more slowly. Simply put, high humidity will make the air feel hotter while low humidity makes the temperature feel cooler.


Here in southeast Oklahoma, reducing moisture in the air is nearly as important as lowering the indoor air temperature. If your home has too much moisture, you're going to have problems with air quality, efficiency, mold and mildew.


The first line of defense is to ensure that your home is properly insulated and sealed in order to keep the heat and humidity from getting inside. Leaky ducts, windows and doors can cause energy loss, making your HVAC system work much harder to wring the moisture out of the air. Homes that are “sealed tight” are easier to keep cool and dry.


Next, make sure your HVAC system is the right size. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that most residential systems are oversized. If your unit is too big, you will pay higher energy bills and you won’t get the efficiency level or comfort you want and expect. It is also likely that the unit is “short cycling,” constantly turning off and


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To report an outage, please call 800-780-6486 or report it via Smarthub. Please do not report outages on the CEC Facebook page.


on, never achieving optimum efficiency. When your unit runs in short bursts, it won't operate long enough to eliminate all of the humidity in your home. Damp, cool indoor air creates a muggy, uncomfortable atmosphere that can cause problems for those who suffer from allergies.


If you're considering a new HVAC system, ask your electrician or HVAC contractor to help you choose equipment that's the correct size and meets or exceeds the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) for the capacity requirement, such as Energy Star-rated systems.


DIY humidity reduction


You can take steps to lower the moisture in your home by reducing the humidity you are producing. The kitchen and bathrooms are the biggest contributors to higher humidity levels. Make sure your range hood is ducted to the outside— recirculating range hoods are not effective in controlling moisture or odors. When cooking, and especially when boiling water, run the vent fan. In the bathroom, run the vent fan when bathing or showering. Keep the fan on up to 30 minutes after you have finished in order to eliminate the residual moisture in the air.


If you can reduce the indoor humidity, you may be able to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature with a higher thermostat setting and ceiling fans. The air movement from the ceiling fan will create a “wind chill” effect, lowering the temperature and increasing comfort. Finally, check gutters and downspouts for leaks or blockage. If rainwater leaks out and saturates the ground surrounding your home, some of the moisture can eventually migrate into your house.


CEC's energy use advisor is happy to visit with you about ways to reduce humidity in your home or other actions you can take to save energy. Contact Brad Kendrick at 800-780-6486


or email bakendrick@choctawelectric.coop.


SEND US EMAIL: Please email questions for Ask Your Co-op to: Jennifer Boling, jboling@choctawelectric.coop. Or, mail questions to Choctaw Electric Cooperative, PO Box 758, Hwy 93 North, Hugo,Oklahoma 74743.


CO-OP ASK YOUR


Q Why is my electric bill a lot higher than my neighbors?


For one, your monthly electric bill reflects your usage, not your neighbors. That means it reflects the amount of electricity consumed by you and your family.


There are a lot of factors that can cause your bill to be higher than a neighbor's, even one with a home that is similar in size to yours. Your neighbor's home may be better insulated or have more energy efficient appliances. Their lifestyle may differ due to the number of people living in the home. If you have more children than your neighbor, your bill will almost certainly be higher than a home without kids.


Other factors that can affect usage include the type, size, age and maintenance of your heating and cooling system. If your neighbor has a more efficient system and takes care of it with routine maintenance, his or her bill will reflect that TLC.


Habits account for a large portion of our electricity usage. If your neighbor is careful to turn out lights, shut off all computers and electronics, keep drapes drawn in summer and the thermostat at 78 degrees, their bill will be lower than someone who is more casual about their electricity use.


sLucky Account # 38841022 ($50 Bill Credit). If the account number above belongs to you, contact your co- op by the 10th of the month to claim your $50 bill credit. Call Jennifer Boling at 800-780-6486, ext. 207, or contact CEC via email or in person.


CEC Inside Your Co-op | MAY 2016 | 7


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