11 Ways to Keep Your Home Humidity in Check
The ideal humidity level in a home is between 30 and 50 percent. However, during the summer months, it is not uncommon for humidity levels to rise above this range. High humidity can lead to some problems, including making it difficult to breathe, encouraging the growth of mold and mildew, and causing wood furniture to warp. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep your home’s humidity in check.
1. Use an Air Conditioner
Air conditioners pull air from the outside and circulate it through a cold evaporator coil. As the air passes over the coil, the heat is absorbed into the refrigerant, and the air is cooled. The cooled air is then circulated back into the room, lowering the temperature.
Apart from cooling the air, this process also helps to manage humidity levels. As the air is cooled, water vapor condenses on the evaporator coil, helping to remove moisture from the air. This can be a great relief during muggy summer days.
Have the unit properly sized for the space to make AC effective at reducing humidity. An undersized unit will struggle to cool the room and remove moisture, while an oversized unit will cool the space too quickly, leading to condensation on surfaces like windows and walls.
2. Use a Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers pull air from the room and pass it over a cold evaporator coil. As the air passes over the coil, water vapor condenses on the coils and is collected in a pan. The dehumidified air is then circulated back into the room.
Dehumidifiers can effectively reduce humidity levels, especially in rooms prone to dampness, such as basements and laundry rooms. However, they can also be expensive to operate, so choose a properly sized unit for the space.
To improve the efficiency of your dehumidifier, try to keep the room as cool as possible. The cooler the air, the more water vapor it can hold, so lowering the temperature will also be reducing the humidity.
3. Use a Humidistat
A humidistat is a device that measures the amount of moisture in the air. By monitoring the humidity levels in your home, you can make adjustments to help keep the level within a comfortable range.
There are various humidistats on the market, including both standalone units and those that can be integrated into your thermostat. Standalone units are typically more affordable, but they require you to manually adjust the settings to maintain the desired humidity level.
4. Open Your Windows
Opening your windows is a great way to let fresh air into your home and help reduce the humidity levels.
When you open the windows, the air pressure inside the house decreases. This causes the warm, moist air to flow out of the house and be replaced by cooler, drier air from outside. The amount of moisture in the air will continue to decrease until the relative humidity reaches equilibrium with the outside air.
5. Use Exhaust Fans
Exhaust fans are designed to remove air from a room and vent it outside. They are commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms but can also be used in other rooms where there is a need to remove moisture from the air.
When using an exhaust fan, ensure that the air is vented outside and not simply recirculated back into the room. If possible, open a window to help facilitate the exchange of air.
6. Use a Ventilator
The ventilator draws in outside air and blows it over the evaporator coils. This process cools the air and also removes excess moisture. The cooled, dehumidified air is then blown into the room, creating a comfortable environment. In addition to helping to regulate temperature, a ventilator can also help to reduce odors and improve indoor air quality.
Ventilators are most commonly used with other methods of reducing humidity, such as using an air conditioner or opening windows. However, they can be used on their own to help improve the air quality in your home.
7. Fix Water Leaks
When water leaks from pipes, appliances, or any other source, it can cause an increase in the humidity in your home. This is because the water that leaks onto surfaces such as floors and walls evaporates, raising the moisture level in the air.
One of the easiest ways to fix a water leak is to locate the source of the leak and then apply a sealant. This will typically stop the flow of water and prevent further damage. In some cases, however, it may be necessary to replace the damaged section of pipe or tubing.
Homeowners should also regularly check for signs of water leaks and repair them as soon as possible.
8. Dry Laundry Outside
Hang your wet laundry outside to dry whenever possible. The sun and fresh air will help to naturally remove the moisture from the clothing, linens, or towels.
Not only is this an effective way to reduce the humidity in your home, but it can also save you money on your energy bill.
9. Reduce Indoor Plants
Indoor plants are a great way to add life to your home, but they can also contribute to the humidity levels. This is because plants release water vapor into the air as part of their natural process of transpiration.
To help reduce the moisture in the air, try to limit the number of indoor plants that you have. If you must have plants in your home, choose those that have low transpiration rates.
10. Take Cooler Showers
Although we love a hot shower, they can actually contribute to the humidity in your home. This is because the steam from the shower increases the moisture levels in the air.
To help reduce the amount of humidity in your home, lower the temperature of your water heater. This will help to reduce the amount of steam that is produced when you take a shower.
In addition, try to take shorter showers and open the bathroom door to ventilate the room after showering.
11. Ventilate the Crawlspace
The crawlspace is the area of your home that is located beneath the floor. It is typically used for storage or as a space for mechanical systems such as the furnace and water heater.
The crawlspace is prone to high humidity levels because it is typically cooler than the rest of the house. This can lead to condensation, which increases the moisture in the air.
To help reduce the humidity in your home, make sure that the crawlspace is properly ventilated. This will allow the air to circulate and help to remove the moisture.
Hire the Experts
By taking these simple steps, you can create a more comfortable environment for yourself and your family. Most importantly, involve the services of a professional if you have any doubts about the process.
At Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning, we are experts in heating and air conditioning services. We also offer electrical and plumbing services to clients in Kirkland and Western Washington. We are fully licensed and our technicians are NATE-certified. We have been serving the community for over 20 years and our goal is to provide you with the best possible service.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning today.