Tips on Reducing Humidity in Your House

Last Updated on May 23, 2024 by Justin Williams

High humidity in your home is not your friend. You may already know that especially when you live in a very humid geographical location. The high humidity levels can wreck havoc on you and your home if you are not careful.

If you do not take the right steps to lower the humidity levels in your home, you are looking at health issues for you and your family as well as possible damage to your home and belongings.

Following good tips to reduce indoor humidity levels in your home will save you a lot of anxiety as well as money.

Signs of High Humidity Levels

Like most bad things in life, there are noticeable signs that indicate your home is suffering from high humidity levels. Once you are aware of these signs, you can take the right steps to solving the issue.

Here are some of the signs you should be looking for:

• Your house feels like a sauna when you walk inside
• Water spots on your ceiling or walls.
• Mold is growing in certain spots in your home
• Condensation is on your windows
• Your nose detects a musty smell as you walk from room to room

Sources of Humidity

Besides the hot humid weather, there are several sources for the high humidity levels in your home. If left untreated you are opening you, your family and your home up to some health issues that can be far more expensive than purchasing a good dehumidifier.

These sources can come from inside your house throughout the year:

• Cooking
• Showering
• Doing your laundry
• Dish washing
• Poor wall insulation
• Too thin windows
• Bad door seals or badly insulated doors

Why High Humidity is Bad

The ideal humidity level for your home ranges between 30 and 50%. Some people may place it at 40 to 60% but that is stretching it a little. When you want comfort you need to keep your humidity levels constant and within the ideal range.

Then some people do not understand why there is a fuss over high humidity levels. Here are some reasons why high humidity is bad for you and your home:

• It just gets too hot for your body
• Your wood frame and furniture can swell and crack
• Mold and mildew begin to grow
• You cannot get the rest you need
• Your pets suffer as well
• Your metal items or house parts rust faster

Tips on How to Reduce Humidity in House

The good news is that there are some very helpful and inexpensive ways to lower the humidity levels in your home. These tips will help you protect your family and your house from the damage high humidity causes.

1. Proper ventilation – this helps your natural airflow to move humidity out of your house quickly. You can install exhaust fans in key areas to help or open a window when you shower, doing your laundry or cooking. Installing an air conditioning system is not a bad idea as well.
2. Take shorter and colder showers – we all know how good a hot shower feels but the excess steam helps increase the humidity levels inside your house. A shorter shower will cut that rate down and keep your home livable. Or you can lower the temperature of your shower water
3. Have fewer indoor plants – plants release moisture and that excess moisture can help increase the humidity levels in your home. Just cut down on the number of plants you have inside and do not overwater them
4. Keep your gutters clean – the job of the gutter is to take water away from your home and foundation. If they are clogged then too much water remains or seeps inside through your foundation. This added moisture will also increase your indoor humidity levels
5. Repair or replace worn-out windows – your windows may be too thin or are too old to keep moisture from entering your home. When you discover this problem repairing or replacing them for better quality windows is the ideal way to help lower humidity levels.

The Ultimate Way on How to Lower Humidity in House

All of the tips listed above are great methods to use to help you endure the high humidity season. But there is one ideal way that makes sure your humidity levels reach the 30 to 50% target— buy a good dehumidifier or two.

These dehumidifiers work by absorbing excess moisture from the air and must be rated for the room size you plan on using them in. Also, you should consider placing one in those forgotten rooms that are hotbeds for humidity action – your attic and basement. Most dehumidifiers on the market today are certified with Energy Star (an energy efficiency certificate).

• Read more: Best Dehumidifier for Basement

Keeping your whole house comfortable with the best whole house dehumidifier protects you, your family and your home from health issues and damage.

How to Check Your Humidity Level

The best tool you can use to see if your home’s interior is at the right humidity level is to purchase a hygrometer. This gauge is designed to monitor humidity and it lets you know when the inside humidity is going too high.

Taking the right steps to protect your home and your family saves you a lot of trouble over the years.