As property managers, one of the issues we help homeowners with is humidity and it’s effects in their home. If your home has high humidity levels, you may find yourself uncomfortable even lounging on the couch. Or worse, high humidity levels could cause mold and bacteria to grow. In this Part 2 of our blog series on indoor humidity, we do a deep dive into high humidity in your home, and what to do about it.
For an overview on in-home humidity, check out Part 1: What Every Homeowner Should Know About In-Home Humidity.
Spotting high humidity levels
Most people can tell if their home has extra humidity. You may feel clammy, muggy, or overall discomfort. Another indication you have a humidity problem is fog or condensation on the inside of your windows, or a musty odor floating around. If the humidity persists for a long time, you could notice damp spots, or even mold growing in some areas. Additionally, you might find yourself paying higher heating bills during the winter.
Unfortunately, high humidity can cause some serious health problems. With the possibility of mold growth comes allergies, asthma-related problems, and sickness. If you notice you are having a hard time breathing, having more asthma attacks, or your allergies are always acting up at home you may need to find a solution fast.
High Humidity in House in Summer versus Winter
Learning how to manage home humidity levels during all seasons is important when it comes to enjoying time indoors. During the winter, the cold air cannot hold as much moisture and tends to be dry. However, this does not mean high humidity cannot happen in your home when it’s cold out. One trick is to reduce high humidity in-home with air conditioning. You can even do this in winter, although it may be uncomfortably cold for a little while. More importantly, if you detect your home has increased humidity in the winter, check that you have the necessary vent fans and insulation to reduce the amount of moisture coming in.
During the summer, high home humidity occurs more easily. In warmer climates, removing moisture becomes a priority to comfortable living. Taking the time to dehumidify your home will surely help reduce the amount of humidity. Without the addition of a dehumidifier, you may run into health issues like mold and bacteria growth.
Lowering Humidity in Your Home
The most effective solution to get humidity out of your house is proper ventilation. Rooms in your home like the kitchen and the bathroom naturally create more moisture in the air, leaving more humidity in those areas. Cooking, showering, and doing laundry can all have an effect on the amount of moisture that is in the air. If you have poor ventilation or no exhaust fans, moisture will get caught in the air, making your home more humid.
Another common solution is to purchase a good dehumidifier. A dehumidifier will wring out any moisture that is in your home and also provides you with better air quality for a more comfortable home. Portable dehumidifiers can be purchased at any home store, alternatively, if you have more money to spend, you could invest in a whole-home dehumidifier system.
Other helpful tips include:
- Take cold showers
- Ensure your bathroom fans are working correctly
- Check that your dryer is properly vented
- Temporarily place house plants outdoors
- Keep gutters clean
- Be mindful of the temperature outside and in your home
High humidity levels in your home can be uncomfortable and can even pose a threat to the interior of your home and your health. Engaging the proper strategies for lowering humidity in your house can prevent more serious problems in the future. Ultimately, investing in a proper dehumidifier and ventilation will be the most effective solutions and provide a more comfortable environment for you to live in. Be on the watch for the next article about what to do when your home humidity is too low.
Photo credit: Thomas Anderson under the Creative Commons 2.0 License
