How to Reduce Humidity in the House
May 16, 2022
moist air condensation on a window

How to Reduce Humidity in the House

In the hot summer months, high humidity levels in your home can become a problem for you and your family. 

In today’s blog, Air Authority, a leading HVAC service provider in the greater Cincinnati area, gives eight tips on reducing your home’s humidity levels. 

According to Energy Star, 30-50 percent is the ideal range for indoor humidity. When the humidity level reaches above 50 percent, it can be damaging to your home’s infrastructure, and things like paint, wood, and insulation. That’s when it gets dangerous.

The Danger of High Humidity Levels in Your Home 

High humidity levels aren’t just uncomfortable to lounge in, especially in the hot, sticky summer months, but they’re potentially dangerous to your home’s HVAC unit. 

High humidity in the home puts extra stress and strain on your AC unit. It’s also the perfect spot for mold and bacteria to grow, as well as an open invitation to dust mites. 

humid air rotting a home's dry wall

Humidity also means excessive moisture, which damages siding, insulation, wood, and paint. 

Lastly, breathing in humid air is also bad news for those with preexisting respiratory problems like asthma.

Benefits of Lowering Your Home’s Humidity Levels

  • Improves comfort
  • Prevents potential health problems from bacteria, mold, and mildew 
  • Decreases your utility bill
  • Boosts energy efficiency 
  • Improves general moisture levels in your home 
  • Protects your home’s interior, like wall paint and wooden furniture 
  • Decreases the chances of a pest infestation, like cockroaches or mosquitos

1. Use Your Ventilator Fans 

Areas of your home with high moisture levels should be aired out. Make full use of your ventilator fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Be careful to not run them too long, as this can actually increase humidity. 

Your best bet is to use your ceiling fans to quickly dehumidify your home. If that’s not enough, you can buy some standing extra fans and leave them on until the moisture levels decrease. 

2. Take Cooler Showers 

No. Your shower temp doesn’t have to be freezing cold. Just lower the heat down by a few degrees, so as to generate less steam and less moisture output. While taking a shower, you can turn on your vent fan or open up a window to help release the moisture in the air.

3. Add Moisture-Absorbing Houseplants

There are some plants that thrive in hot, dry, and arid desert climates. These plants typically have thick stems and waxy, hairy leaves. These plants help absorb moisture in the environment and retain it. 

Here are a few options to consider for your home:

  • English Ivy
  • Bamboo Palm
  • Begonias
  • Peace Lily
  • Spider Plant
  • Cactus

Remember that while some plants absorb moisture, others generate more of it. The indoor plants that add moisture to your home should be removed or set outside to best lower humidity levels. 

4. No Plants? Add Desiccants Instead

Desiccants are substances that absorb moisture. These can be kept near openings to your home, like windows and door seals.

  • Charcoal 
  • Silica gel
  • Bentonite clay
  • Molecular sieve

5. Seal Windows and Install a Door Sweep 

Sealing your windows and the space underneath your front door can do wonders for keeping high heat levels out of your home. This can be done in a few ways. The first and easiest way is to purchase a door sweep and insert it in the front door.  

The second way is to add sealant to any openings you find around the home. 

Caulking is a material used as an adhesive to seal windows, pipes, and other fixtures against leaks and openings for moisture. If caulking doesn’t work, weatherstripping is recommended.

6. Turn on the AC Unit and the Fans

Getting the cool air circulating in your home is the best way to get rid of rising humidity levels quickly. Always make sure your AC unit is operating efficiently and you’re not paying too much for a poorly functioning unit that’s eating up your energy bill. 

ceiling fan moving the air inside of bedroom

Our HVAC specialists can diagnose your AC unit’s performance and provide suggestions, whether it’s a repair or full replacement with a new, variable speed air conditioner

7. Fix Any Water Leaks 

Water leaks from faucets or pipes can cause moisture to pool in certain areas of the house and skyrocket your humidity levels. Identifying and fixing these leaks quickly is advised. 

8. Buy a Whole House Dehumidifier 

Whole-home dehumidifiers help to regulate the humidity levels in each and every room across the house. It’s connected to the central air duct. The installation price can be quite high. 

An individual dehumidifier fits inside of your furnace air handler and can remove a large amount of humidity from your home. 

Contact Air Authority for Professional HVAC Solutions 

We’ve been helping homeowners and businesses with HVAC repair, maintenance, and installation for years. Whatever the issue, we can handle it. 

Air Authority is also a supplier of HVAC products and accessories, like humidifiers, furnaces, and more. Contact us for more information about our products and services at (513) 229-0789.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

*

*

*

Testimonials
Contact Us Today