High humidity levels in the home can be pretty unsettling. It often leaves you sweaty and uneasy.
High humidity and moisture levels pose a serious problem to your home’s structure and surfaces in severe cases.
For instance, high humidity can destroy paintings, wood, siding, and insulation in your home. Similarly, your home becomes prone to allergens and pollutants like dust, mold, and mildew, which can be devastating; to your health, especially if you are suffering from any pulmonary condition or asthma.
What is the ideal humidity level in your home?
The ideal humidity levels vary from one room to another. However, a level between 30 and 40 percent humidity is generally suitable for keeping your home warm and comfortable in the winter. Humidity levels between 50 and 60 percent are typically ideal, even on the hottest days of summer.
Signs that indicate you have excess humidity in your home
Several telltale signs indicate your home has excess moisture. They include:
- Condensation on cooler surfaces such as windows, mirrors, and pipes.
- Wet stains or discolouration on the ceiling.
- The smell of mould or mildew
- Frequent allergy symptoms such as sneezing or coughing
Note that these signs alone do not guarantee your home has excess humidity. However, it is safe to check your home’s humidity once you notice these signs.
How to check your home’s humidity levels
The best way of checking your home’s humidity level is by using a humidistat to monitor and control your home’s humidity level.
Several humidistats are either wired to a humidifier mounted directly to your furnace or mounted on a wall somewhere else in your home.
Humidistats appear and work similarly to a thermometer. It measures the relative humidity in the air and also controls your humidifier.
How to decrease humidity in your home
There are several tools and techniques you can deploy to reduce humidity levels in your home. These strategies and tools are ideal for lowering humanity in the house in winter and summer.
1. Dehumidifiers
Most dehumidifiers are installed in the basement. They are effective when a room or area is completely sealed off, including all windows and doors. They help eliminate moisture from the air to make your home warm and habitable.
2. Air conditioning systems
Aside from cooling down the air inside your home, air conditioning systems also help to remove moisture and humidity. Ensure the air conditioning unit you installed is the correct size for the square footage of your property.
3. Suitable Ventilation
Ensure that areas with moisture, including the kitchen and bathrooms, are well ventilated. Ensure you turn on vents and leave them on if there is moisture in the room. If you suspect that your moisture is the source of problems, you would have to purchase additional fans.
4. Weather-stripping
You can carry out a weather-stripping can around the doors and windows of the home to create an airtight seal to prevent cool or warm air from escaping and excess humidity from flowing inside.
5. Insulation
Ensure your homes are well insulated to prevent cool and warm air from escaping or entering through gaps in the walls.
Excess humidity levels can damage your home or cause significant health challenges for yourself and your family. By applying the right knowledge on controlling moisture, you can make your home safe and comfortable to live in.
