If you are feeling that the air in your home has moisture and is heavy, you are probably experiencing excess humidity. This often happens in summer, but can also occur in winter when condensation forms on your windows. The problem with high indoor humidity is that it can encourage mold and mildew growth that you may or may not see. It also makes your body feel uncomfortable. Here are some ways to combat humidity in your home.
Ventilate
One of the easiest ways to reduce humidity is to ventilate the space mechanically and naturally. When cooking, make sure your range exhaust fan is turned on and is venting to the exterior of your home. You also want to run the bathroom exhaust fan when showering. One of the best ways to remove excess humidity is to open windows on dry days. Cross ventilation naturally draws moisture out of the home and keeps surfaces dry.
Turn On Your Air Conditioner
Running your air conditioning system on particularly humid days will significantly reduce humidity by exchanging cooler air for warm moist air. Keep in mind that this only works if your AC system is running efficiently. You will want to keep up with the maintenance of your HVAC equipment by having a professional, like Brooks Heating & Air Conditioning, clean and tune your system, as well as replace the filter on a yearly basis. If you have window AC units, clean the filters every spring and run the units when humidity levels are high.
Invest in a Dehumidifier
As the name implies, a dehumidifier can reduce humidity by actively removing moisture from the air. There are various options available. You can place a dehumidifying unit right inside your air handler that is hooked up to a drain. There are also portable or free-standing dehumidifiers that plug into a standard wall outlet. Most of these you have to empty periodically. These units range in price from as low as $60 up to $500. For smaller spaces, such as closets and powder rooms, you can place a small drainage box that attracts and collects moisture through disposable charcoal or similar filter. These do not require an electrical hookup.
Shorten Your Showers
Who doesn’t want to take a nice long shower on a hot summer day? As tempting and refreshing as it sounds, long showers add an incredible amount of humidity to your home. If you simply shorten your showers and make the water slightly cooler, you will be amazed at how much dryer your indoor environment will feel.
Excess humidity inside your home can be quite uncomfortable and even be a health hazard if it promotes mold growth. These tips can offer you some relief when trying to combat humidity inside. By reducing humidity, you may also be saving on energy bills because your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard.
