You know it when excess home moisture raises
its ugly head.
You’ll spot foggy windows, smell a mildew or
musty odor, or your skin feels clammy.
If it has been around for a while it had the
chance to mark its territory. Damp spots, mold, and rotting wood are signs
the soggy
enemy is taking over the place.
But even if there are no indications (yet)
your home’s atmosphere is too humid it’s wise to measure and control because..
- it
will make you feel better both physically and mentally
(studies show that how happy you feel is directly linked to humidity
levels) and,
- keeping
more money in your pocket due to reduced heating bills is
also a nice reward.
So how to reduce home
humidity levels?
Often, simple measures can make a big difference.
In other cases more drastic actions are necessary.
Here’s an overview of simple tips and more
radical solutions on how to combat excessive indoor humidity. Easiest
applicable measures are mentioned first.
How to Lower Home humidity?
There are ways to lower the humidity once you
become more aware of what is raising the level in the first place.
Actions
- First
and foremost, ventilate. Especially the areas that create
moisture, like the kitchen and bathroom. When vent fans are present, make
sure to turn them on and/or leave them on longer. Especially in the
kitchen, bathroom, and basement. If not, consider having them installed by
an electrician.
Cooking as well as showering but also washing
machines and dryers affect the amount of moisture found in the air, especially
when people take long, hot showers.
- If
you do not have exhaust fans or a ventilation system, you can crack
a window for a few minutes to dry the air out, especially in the
bathroom areas that tend to hang onto additional moisture for longer
periods.
Mathematically speaking, it only takes between
four and six pints of water to raise the humidity level inside of 1,000 square
feet from a mere 15% to 60%.
The amount of people within the home can
affect how much humidity is in the air as well. One person breathing produces
about ¼ cup of water within an hour’s time.
- Ensure
that exhaust fans in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms vent to
the outside. Installing vents and attic fans can
help too.
- Increase
indoor temperature because warm air can hold more moisture (relative
humidity decreases if temperature increases).
- Use
fans to increase ventilation
- Take colder,
shorter showers. Use a low flow showerhead or shower under
a less powerful stream by not fully opening the tap. (personally, I find
showering with the tap partially open just as pleasant)
- Becoming
mindful of the indoor and outdoor temperature also can
ease the concern of proper humidity within the home. What is the current
temperature inside versus outdoors?
- Are
you keeping your home much cooler than the suggested temperature? If that
answer is yes, then minor adjustments to the humidity level are easily
adjustable.
- Run
the AC. Since
this option is costly other possible measures are preferred.
- While cooking,
try to cover your food and take full advantage of the exhaust fans in
which your home is equipped. Oven and stove-top cooking produce more
moisture. Slow cookers contribute less to indoor humidity.
- Vent
clothes dryers outside.
- If
there is a humidifier or vaporizer in the home, turn it
off for a little while or simply turn it down. Most humidifiers or
vaporizers on the market today have a turn dial, or button to adjust the
level of vapor or water you would like dispersed into the air. (a
no-brainer but added for the sake of completeness)
- It’s
recommended to only use induced draft, sealed-combustion, or power-vented
boilers, furnaces, and water heaters.
- Air-conditioning
drain lines and drip pans should be kept clean and unobstructed.
- Temporarily
place house plants outside or concentrate them in one
room. Plants release moisture vapor to the air. Especially when you
have lots of plants their role in home humidity levels can be
significant. Also make sure not to overwater them.
- Freshly
cut firewood contains large amounts of water that evaporates when stored
indoors. Better keep it outside.
- Keep
downspouts and gutters clean. Adjust downspouts so they carry water
farther from the house. Restrict watering plants to bare necessity.
Prevent water from pooling at and around the foundations by a descending
surface.
- You
may also want to use a dehumidifier if maintaining
your humidity has become an issue or you live in an older, less ventilated
building. Dehumidifiers are commonly placed in basements, since they are
underground and do not get a lot of warmth or direct sunlight, or in
bathrooms without windows or specific areas in the home that require moist
removal. Dehumidifiers work best with
closed doors and windows. In order to ensure proper circulation
dehumidifiers need to be placed away from walls and furniture. Except for
models that have an air vent on top.
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