Table Of Content
Room ACs like window and portable units also remove humidity from the air—and, of course, so does central air. For the best cooling, match the window AC size (in Btu) to the size of your room. These plants help to absorb moisture from the air and can help improve the quality of the air in your home. It may not be a great decoration, but it can help tremendously. For example, if you get out of the shower and notice excess moisture on the mirror or countertops, wipe it down.
Turn up the air conditioner.
Homeowners who live in a climate with excessive rain will want to ensure that gutters and downspouts work correctly and rainwater is directed away from the house to keep moisture out. Professionally installed awnings placed above windows and doors are an excellent way to keep water out as well. It is effective in absorbing excess moisture and also purifies the air.
Does This Popular Frigidaire Dehumidifier Tackle Humidity With Ease? We Tested It to Find Out!
Repair any leaks you find and install powerful extractor fans in the kitchen and bathrooms as a first step. If humidity is high in a house it can lead to all kinds of unpleasant problems, so it's best to find out how to stop condensation, damp, or mould as soon as you spot them. This is even more important in the current climate as homeowners are choosing to hang damp washing indoors and not turn on the heating when the temperature drops. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the optimal indoor humidity is 30% to 50%. However, exceeding 60% can lead to issues such as mold growth and respiratory problems. The second most important thing to reduce humidity in your home is to make sure that as little hot, humid air as possible gets inside your house.
Use A Vapor Barrier
She also has a first-class degree in Literature from Lancaster University. Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups. It can lead to respiratory problems, allergy flare-ups, and sleep interruptions. Assistant Editor Amy began working for Homebuilding & Renovating in 2018. She has an interest in sustainable building methods and always has her eye on the latest design ideas.
What Are the Major Sources of High Indoor Humidity?
This also means that cool, air-conditioned air can escape instead of circulating indoors. So while it may seem like the central AC is not blowing cold air, it actually may be working overtime (and driving up energy costs, too). Rubber Plants are attractive, low-maintenance houseplants that help regulate humidity levels. The large, glossy leaves of this plant can absorb moisture and release it back into the air through transpiration. How a dehumidifier works by drawing in air and removing excess moisture content, helps to prevent mould and mildew growth in the home.
It’s worth noting that the larger the room is, the more baking soda you might need, so always experiment in smaller spaces first, such as inside a cabinet or on a windowsill. This will give you a better idea to see how much baking soda to use to help dry out the moisture/area. If you don’t have an AC unit, you can simply place standalone fans in individual rooms to circulate the air around.
Handyman: Lower humidity at home for summer comfort - Detroit News
Handyman: Lower humidity at home for summer comfort.
Posted: Thu, 13 Jul 2017 07:00:00 GMT [source]
By planting trees and shrubs around your home, you can help to reduce the humidity levels. ‘Some houseplants, like peace lilies and Boston ferns, can absorb moisture from the air. This can be a natural way to reduce humidity while also improving the aesthetics of your home,’ he explains. Encouraging air flow and removing opportunities for damp to spread reduces damage or removes opportunities for mould to form. Opening doors of built-in wardrobes that sit on outside walls and trying to keep furniture, clothes and shoes from touching outside walls can stop damp developing.
Tips to reduce condensation at home as temperatures lower in Northern Ireland - Belfast Live
Tips to reduce condensation at home as temperatures lower in Northern Ireland.
Posted: Wed, 20 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Make Use Of A Vapor Barrier
As the temperatures rise, the humidity levels follow, and soon enough, coveted breezes are the only thing that can cut through the thick, balmy air. Even born and raised Southerners may never completely get used to the overwhelming humidity, but we’ve sure learned how to tackle it. While it can be tempting to stand under a hot shower for prolonged periods during the colder months, it is a surefire way to up the humidity levels in your house. Using one of the best heated clothes airers is a good way to speed up the process but ensure you are drying in a well-ventilated room to avoid heat building up.
Early plumbing leak detection could help prevent water damage, musty smells, and potential mold growth. "Reduce the temperature in your house by using the air conditioner," suggests Omar. "Lower humidity levels are a result of cooler air's reduced capacity to store moisture. For optimum efficiency, make sure your HVAC system is maintained correctly."
The most common problems are mold growth and condensation on windows—which can cause long-term damage to the property if not corrected. But high humidity can also have effects on you and the inhabitants of your house (think itchy skin and respiratory issues). The ideal indoor humidity level for a comfortable and healthy home is generally between 30% and 50%. Excess humidity can do a lot of damage to the interior of any home. If you don’t have a dehumidifier, though, it may feel like there’s nothing you can do about this issue.
The moisture will condense and form water droplets when moist air comes in contact with a cold glass pane, which you will see on skylights, windows, and doors in the right conditions. Read on to learn the other 16 ways to reduce excess humidity in your home. By following these tips, you can reduce the humidity in your house by improving your air circulation without using a dehumidifier. When limiting humidity in your home, it is important to maintain a healthy level of humidity to prevent making your indoor air too dry. Too low a humidity will cause respiratory illness such as dry airways resulting in coughing and sneezing, and dry skin.
High humidity levels can cause discomfort and health issues, and excessive humidity can even cause damage in a home. Some telltale signs of excess moisture include an AC system that smells musty, a humid feeling in the house, or visible mold and mildew growth. Excess humidity in a house can also cause condensation on windows, toilet tanks, and pipes. It happens when warm, moist air comes in contact with cool surfaces, and the vapor in the air turns into liquid water.
The most surefire way to reduce indoor humidity is to get a dehumidifier. Keep humidity under control by getting your air conditioner repaired, tuned up, and frequently change the filter. Anything that restricts airflow or causes your air conditioner to stop working is no friend to you. Too much moisture in the air makes you hot, uncomfortable, and can actually have a damaging effect on your home. As for doors, you can try weatherstripping the bottom to keep air from getting inside.
By understanding what causes the humidity imbalance in your home, you can recognize signs of both low and high indoor humidity and implement steps to mitigate the problem. Sometimes, buying a humidifier or dehumidifier doesn't solve the problem for various reasons. Okay, so better HVAC is the most important thing in reducing humidity, but to get the most out of an updated system, it’s important to make sure that the air you condition stays inside your house. Similar to a dehumidifier, you can buy whole-house ventilation systems. These days, with the focus on efficiency, homes are designed to be airtight, creating an even greater need for forced ventilation. Fans, range hoods, bathroom vents, and whole-home systems become extremely useful.
While this is good practice, it prevents air exchange with the outside. Furthermore, newly built houses release significant moisture from construction materials in the first few years. Reducing humidity in your home may require a simple or multi-faceted solution, depending on how many different sources of moisture you have. Finding the source of moisture and taking appropriate corrective action will lower the humidity in your house to an acceptable level.
No comments:
Post a Comment