How To Reduce Humidity In Your Home: A Guide For Homeowners
Do you find that your home feels humid and stuffy, even when the weather outside is cool? If so, you may be wondering how to reduce humidity indoors. There are a few different ways to do this, and your chosen method will likely depend on the severity of the problem and the cause of humidity. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most common causes of high indoor humidity and offer tips for reducing them. Whether you’re dealing with a musty smell, condensation on your windows, or other issues, you’ll find this information helpful!
What Causes Indoor Humidity Levels To Rise?
High humidity in a house can have many causes, some of which are natural and others that can be controlled. Moisture from cooking, showering, and washing is a primary source of indoor humidity as the hot air from these activities rises into the atmosphere and comes into contact with cooler objects like windowsills or walls, which condenses back into liquid.
Another cause is outside air seeping into the home, bringing along moisture that finds a place to stay within the framework of your home, setting up shop in the air. Plants or water features inside or near your house can also contribute quite heavily to the atmospheric moisture levels.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways available to deal with high humidity if it becomes an issue—including dehumidifiers, creating better ventilation by circulating fresh air as much as possible using fans and open windows, using exhaust fans in bathrooms during showers and avoiding creating excess steam when cooking, amongst other things.
What Is An Ideal Humidity Level Indoors?
The ideal humidity for a home is between 30 and 60 percent. Maintaining this range keeps uncomfortable humidity levels away while maintaining the humidity necessary to ensure comfort and air quality. You may find that you need to adjust the relative humidity in your home throughout the seasons.
During winter, it’s often necessary to add moisture with a humidifier or a wet towel on radiators, as the air outside tends to be dryer than in summer.
During summer, an AC can reduce excessive humidity that can cause mold growth and other issues. When done correctly, keeping just the right amount of humidity in your home will create an optimal living environment all year round.
Products To Use When Combating High Humidity In Your Home
High humidity can be uncomfortable, make your home feel stuffy, and even cause mold to grow. It’s important to keep humidity levels in your home acceptable. So, how can you reduce the humidity in your home? Here are some tried-and-true methods that will help you get the job done.
Dehumidifiers & Air Conditioners
One of the most effective ways to reduce humidity is to use a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers draw moisture from the air and collect it in a tank or tray. Once the tank or tray is complete, you empty it into a sink or drain. Air conditioners can also help reduce humidity levels by drawing moisture from the air as part of their cooling process.
A whole-house dehumidifier remains the best option if you’re looking for a more energy-efficient way to cool your house and reduce humidity. These units are installed directly into your HVAC system, so there’s no need for extra equipment to take up space in your home.
Open Windows & Fans
A great (and free) way to reduce humidity levels is to open up windows on days when the outside temperature and humidity levels are lower than in your house. This will allow fresh air to enter your home while helping dissipate excess moisture in the air. Another method is to use ceiling fans, box fans, and standing fans—to move air around different rooms and circulate it throughout your home.
Moisture Absorbers
Moisture absorbers are small packets filled with water-absorbing crystals that absorb excess moisture from the air and trap it inside the packet until it evaporates away over time. These packets are often used in closets, bathrooms, basements, crawlspaces, laundry rooms, pantries, and other areas prone to high levels of moisture buildup due to frequent activities like showering, washing clothes/dishes, etc. They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to use; all you have to do is open them up and place them where needed throughout your house.
How To Prevent High Levels Of Humidity Indoors
High humidity in your home can make it uncomfortable and lead to health issues. Fortunately, you can take a few simple steps to prevent an increase in humidity levels in your home, making it more pleasant and safer for your family.
Increase Ventilation and Airflow Regularly
A great way to reduce the humidity levels in your home is by increasing ventilation and airflow throughout the house daily. Open windows on opposite sides of each room so that there is an exchange of fresh air coming into your home while stale, humid air is going out.
This will help keep the inside of your house dryer than it would otherwise be if all windows were closed up tight against outside weather conditions. Additionally, you may want to invest in fans or exhaust fans for bathrooms and kitchens with higher humidity levels due to cooking or bathing activities creating steamy environments.
Perform Regular Maintenance On Your Home’s Exterior
Regular maintenance on your home’s exterior can also help lower humidity levels inside and outside. Ensure that any gutters are free from debris, as this can create water buildup, leading to mold growth through walls and other parts of the house’s structure, which may not be visible immediately.
You should also pay close attention to any leaks or cracks around windows or doors, which may let dampness seep into areas like attics or crawl spaces, where it will become trapped. This will lead to higher than regular indoor humidity readings over time if not addressed quickly enough before damage has been done to walls and other parts of the building materials used.
