Humidity is a big issue in South Florida. Not only can it make your building uncomfortable, but in addition, it can cause a great deal of damage to your equipment as well as the structure of your building. It is far more affordable to maintain safe humidity levels than it is to deal with the consequences of high humidity.
Spot coolers can be used to reduce temperatures as well as humidity levels, hence why they are commonly used in server rooms, manufacturing plants, hospitals and so forth.
Humid weather promotes moisture issues and can cause problems in crawl spaces located above or below a room. Moisture from the ground, along with moisture from humidity in the air, generates condensation on the walls as well as other surfaces. This produces a muggy feeling and can make the air smell bad.
Mold & Mildew Caused by High Humidity
Muggy conditions created by high humidity are likely to produce mold and mildew that’ll accumulate on walls, windows, and even on water pipes. Toilet tanks and floors, especially carpeted floors, are especially susceptible to mold growth. If mold or mildew set into wood floors or carpeting, it is difficult, if not impossible, to completely remove it. This creates a costly issue that you can avoid by simply keeping humidity levels in check.
Mold vs. Mildew – What’s the Difference?
Humid air tends to build up on walls, which attracts mildew. Mold and mildew are different – they are both a type of fungi, but they pose different risks and respond to different types of treatment methods. Mold is often black or green while mildew has a white or grey appearance. Overtime, mildew may turn black or brown and does not have the same fuzzy-like appearance that mold does.
Building & Equipment Damage
Along with flooring damage, high humidity can also damage the walls, causing paint to bubble and peel. Even clothes and office paper can be damaged by too high of humidity levels.
Although, paint and paper are easier to fix than damaged equipment. When it comes to server rooms and technical equipment, humidity is not your friend.
In a data center or computer room, ambient relative humidity levels should be between forty-five and fifty-five percent to encourage optimal performance and reliability. If the humidity is too high, it will cause condensation, which will corrode hardware and lead to equipment failure. Not having enough moisture in the air, or allowing dry conditions to persist, is an issue as well. One that can lead to electrostatic discharge (ESD), which can damage critical server components.
Humidity & Employee Health
In addition, high humidity levels can be harmful to the health of anyone who lives or works in a building. Mold and mildew are not good for anyone’s health and can cause a variety of health conditions. Not to mention, overexposure to humidity can result in dehydration, headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps, fainting, heat stroke, and more. None of these conditions are good for employee productivity.
Cooling Power to the Rescue!
Don’t let your building suffer the ill-effects of high humidity levels. Cooling Power has all of the equipment you need to maintain comfortable temperatures and low humidity levels – protecting everything from your employees to your equipment. Contact us today to learn more.
Do you have an emergency plan in place to keep humidity levels in check if the power goes out? Learn more about contingency planning with Cooling Power.