Year-Round Humidity Control for Better Comfort and Health

Watch How Ventilating Dehumidifiers Create Healthy, Comfortable Indoor Environments

Control humidity and ventilate.

Want more information on the UltraAire Dehumidifiers?

Chicago's extreme weather has created the need for year-round humidity control systems.  Air conditioners alone are no longer a sufficient means of controlling high humidity in the summer, and during the dry winter months stand-alone humidifiers can't provide the correct moisture management for today's tighter homes and buildings. Left unattended, excessive humidity will damage a building and can eventually impact the health of occupants. Tighter, more energy efficient homes and buildings combined with Chicago's extreme weather has created the need for year-round humidity control and ventilation.   

Priority Energy is a leader in building science and HVAC system design. We have seen and diagnosed countless structural problems that were humidity and moisture related; many of them in newly built structures. We recommend ventilating dehumidification systems for all our projects to maintain healthy and long-lasting structures. 

What's Changed?  Do I Really Need a Whole Home Dehumidifier in the Midwest?

The homes and offices we are building today are different from the buildings we constructed even 10 years ago.  They are tighter and better insulated, which is great for reducing the amount of energy we consume; and they are usually more comfortable than before.   

There are two types of heat an air conditioner must deal with.  Sensible heat (think temperature), and latent heat (think humidity or moisture related).  Unfortunately, central air conditionering is much better for removing sensible heat; approximately 70-80% of their capacity only deals with sensible. For the 20-30% humidity removal, the AC has to run at least 8 minutes before it's able to actually remove any moisture.  We call this the sensible to latent ratio or sensible heat ratio (SHR).

Today's high performing, energy efficient homes (through better insulation, windows, etc.), are reducing the amount of sensible cooling we need, yet the amount of moisture (latent heat) we are producing in our homes (breathing, cooking, bathing, etc...) has not changed.  Can you see how the SHR of the standard central air conditioning system is no longer alligned?  Not to mention seasonal changes; when it's too chilly to open the windows in the spring and fall, but we're still dealing with humidity levels above our ideal range of 45-60% (dependent upon the outside temperatures).

There are also times during the winter, because of the increased efficiency, when we will need to dehumidify our homes - to eliminate damaging condesation on our windows, walls and ceilings.  This is not to say our homes can't handle some bits of condensation, but when left unchecked this is a recipe for disaster.  It is critical to control humidity levels as outside temperatures flucuate.  The good news is, we can accomplish humidity control through the introduction of outside air (ventilation), which is something we need anyway for a healthy home.

Recommendations for Maintaining Proper Humidity Levels and Healthy IAQ:

  1. Install an HVAC system which includes:
    1. A properly sized VARIABLE speed furnace with a multi-stage/variable speed AC
    2. A Whole Home Ventilating Dehumidifier 
    3. A Thermostat with a stand-alone control switch which automates humidification, ventilation, HVAC fan speed, and AC staging based on outside temperatures.
  2. Install an HVAC system which includes:
    1. A properly sized SINGLE stage furnace and AC 
    2. A Whole Home Ventilating Dehumidifier
    3. A Thermostat with a stand-alone control switch which automates humidification, ventilation, heating, and cooling based on outside temperatures.

The Top 2 Dehumidifiers we Recommend for the Chicago area:

Ultra-Aire XT105H - Energy Star-rated, this system will serve up to 2500 s.f. Use with a MERV 14 filter.

Ultra-Aire XT205H - Energy Star-rated, this system will serve up to 5000 s.f. Use with a MERV 14 filter.

We sell and install Ultra-Aire's full line of Ventilating Dehumidification products. Our highly trained team can find the best dehumidifier for your home or building. Call Today! 

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    Anonymous

  • I just wanted to send this message to all you and say GREAT JOB!  We had a rough inspection today and passed for the Woodward Ave. house. The inspector told us "if every house I inspected looked like this one I would be out a job".

    Anonymous Builder

  • We were so impressed with the amount of information the Priority Energy technicians gave us during our ENERGY AUDIT.  If you are buying a house, I would strongly recommend having them do an energy audit on it, in addition to your usual home inspection.

    P.I.

  • Thanks for a super intelligent and deep seminar expertly handled by a staff which was a pleasure to be around. Lunch was superbly and subtly handled.

    A.S. Architect

  • I wanted to thank you for all of your extra time and energy during our BPI training over the last few weeks. You really helped put things in perspective. You are an awesome crew and your facility is a valuable resource for students and the community

    BPI Student, L.E.

  • There is much less dust in the house and the monthly gas and electric charges have been reduced by 10 to 15%.....I'm sure I will see greater savings over a twelve month period......thanks again.

    Aeroseal Client, R.N.

  • Just completed my BPI Field exam for my Quality Control Inspector (QCI) certification renewal at Priority Energy.
    Such a convenient and well-set-up training and test center with caring and knowledgeable staff and proctors! Thanks folks!

     

    P.R., Ottawa, IL

  • It's been cold here for the past few days and I really feel the difference in heating since the building was Aerosealed! My apartment is so much warmer now. Thank you Priority Energy!

     

    Miruna; Tenant at Country Manor Apartments, Peru, IL

  • Anytime I can be a reference for all the great work on my (new) house, please let me know.  Priority Energy is outstanding at what they do!

    Executive at Medline Industries, IL

  • I have a two story home built in the mid seventies. Lots of temperature fluctuation between the floors. The Aeroseal process dramatically increased the air flow to the second floor. Good experience. The company was very informative, answered a lot of questions.

    Vince from Oakbrook, IL

  • "It's been cold here for the past few days and I really feel the difference in heating since the Aeroseal, my apartment is so much warmer now. Thank you!"  

    MP from Peru, IL

  • Thank You so much for the super-fast turn around of our Manual J, D and S reprt for the Village of Glen Ellyn. Our original Manual J kept getting kicked back to us for corrections but your calculations/report got approved instantly-no questions asked and no more permit delays!

    Kim, Glen Ellyn, IL

  • Thank you. Truly. I appreciate you taking the time to clarify things for me and then going above and beyond to ensure that my CEUs are handled for our current RESNET cycle. You’ve always been kind to me and this is another shining example of that.

    Craig, HERS Rater, Batavia, IL

  • (Aeroseal) is a GREAT Product! Really made our townhouse more comfortable!

    Gordon; Chicago, IL

  • We are having less ice on roof since the Aeroseal duct sealing! Thanks!

    Bill; Downers Grove, IL

  • Duct sealing (with Aeroseal) was the smartest thing I ever did! Our home is sooooo much more comfortable! We were so very pleased with Priority Energy and their technicians!

    Richard; Lake Forest, IL

  • On to the Radon issue - Excellent results with Aeroseal!  From 5 + to a .4.  Before sealing like we discussed, I had warm air coming out of the sump basket with the furnace running. Even with the furnace running, it is still pulling air in now.

    Bill; Belvidere, IL

  • Pat was awesome and super helpful! We are experiencing weak air flow in the duct system of our 1950''s home and Pat gave us great recommendations to fix the problem when we do our remodel.

    David; Arlington Heights, IL

  • Already the house seems more balanced (since Aeroseal duct sealing yesterday) .. far end of house is getting more warm air flow!

    Bryan, November 2019, Chicago, IL

  • Priority Energy did a great job with an Aeroseal project for my home. The rooms are more comfortable and even throughout the house, including the far registers which never used to get significant airflow. Very honest and trustworthy

    Bryan, December 2019, Chicago, IL

  • I hired Priority to seal the ducts and air seal my home.  I have been very pleased with

    the results.  The personnel from this company are professional and quite competent.  I have literally saved

    Nelson, Lake Forest

  • Priority Energy did a great job with an Aeroseal project for my home. The rooms are more comfortable and even throughout the house, including the far registers which never used to get significant airflow.

    B. L., Chicago, IL Feb. 2020
  • Used Priority Energy to help insulate (Aeroseal) a property we purchased and could not have been happier.
    R. M., Lake Bluff, IL April 2020

  • Very knowledgeable and professional (Aeroseal) staff. I definitely highly recommend and would use again in the future for other services!

    D.F., Chicago, IL Feb. 2020

  • Employees were all very helpful and professional! Came out in a timely manner (to do our Duct Test). Would highly recommend this company!

    J. R. New Lenox, IL April 2020

  • I had Priority Energy analyze my older home for indoor air quality and comfort because I was having difficulty maintaining temperatures. They came out and discussed our options. We ended up sealing our ducts and installing a whole-house dehumidifier.

    D. L, Lake Zurich, IL Feb. 2019

  • Priority Energy did an aeroseal for our home. We have had issues with air flow in our kitchen (cold in the winter) and one bedroom upstairs (hot in the summer). After they were complete, there is such a stronger air flow from the vents, that it really makes a difference.

    J.J. Chicago, IL - November 2020

  • Excellent Service and Company to work with - highly recommended and professional!

    T. B. Chicago, IL - July 2020

  • Before we sealed our ductwork the rooms farthest from the furnace were always hotter or colder than the rest of the house. We felt an improvement in air flow to the kids rooms right away. 98% duct leak reduction!

    S. H. Glenview, IL - October 2020

  • The Energy Audit you did on last home was so helpful; we referred to it for years when we made home improvements. I'd like to have you do an audit on my new home now. B. A.

    B. A. Lake Forest Homeowner

  • "We were impressed with how well your technicians answered our questions and how quickly and neatly they performed our Aeroseal service. Our rooms are much warmer now that the duct leaks have been sealed! You have a great team."

    D.F. Palatine, IL

  • "You have a great Aeroseal team. We were impressed with how well they answered our questions and how quickly and neatly they performed our service. Our rooms are much warmer now that the duct leaks have been sealed!"  

    D.F., Homeowner in Palatine, IL

  • "We enjoyed meeting Dave, our Energy Auditor.  He was interesting, knowledgeable, and professional.  We appreciated all his time and effort." 

    S.B., Homeowner in Prospect Heights, IL

  • Priority Energy is an A+ company! I've been having issues with my house staying warm in the winter so I called them up and they came out right away. Kurt was so helpful and professional! He explained everything that was going on in my house and gave me  peace of mind.

    M.I., Homeowner in Norridge, IL

  • "The employees that showed up were friendly and took care to make sure they kept the house clean while performing the aeroseal job. They explained the procedure thoroughly, I would recommend this company A+."

    T.B., Elgin, IL

  • Excellent service and quality! (excerpt)

    R.N., Inverness, IL

  • "I had Priority energy clean and then aeroseal my supply ducts; what a great experience! Great communication, great technicians, and great overall customer service!

    M.G., Downers Grove, IL

  • The Duct Leakage assessment we had yesterday was extremely informative! I'm glad we had you come to our home.

    D.K. Homeowner, Chicago, IL

  • Anthony was brilliant and answered all my questions. Really appreciate his expertise on our energy audit!
    January 2023

    S.K., Chicago, IL

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