Dealing with high humidity is neither pleasant nor enjoyable. It is frequently warm, slimy, and just plain unpleasant. But there’s more to it than just being uncomfortable. Higher humidity levels can pose a serious threat to your property’s surfaces, structure, and condition.
For example, excessive moisture may harm paint, wood, siding, and insulation. It can contribute to allergies and pollutant growth such as dust mites and microbial growth. All of these factors may wreak havoc on your lungs, especially if you have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues.
According to Energy Star, the recommended interior humidity levels are 30%-50%. It’s in your best interest to heed that recommendation. Maintaining controllable humidity levels within your house will not only increase your comfort and convenience, but it would also improve your indoor air quality and dependability of your property.
How Do I Know If My House Has Excessive Humidity?
A hygrometer is the simplest way to determine the moisture levels in your house. However, you can’t always carry a hygrometer with you. Here are a few indicators that you have excessive humidity in your house:
• Condensation can be seen on colder surfaces like windows and mirrors
• Wet stains on the ceiling
• Peeling paint or creaking floorboards
• Severe headaches, shortness of breath, frequent allergy symptoms such as wheezing, or a persistent cough
• The smell of microbial growth
• Moist or soft floors, walls, and shelves
While some of the above indications may not suggest a humidity problem on their own, it’s a fair bet that if you experience several of them, you should get your house inspected by a professional.
Reducing Your Humidity Levels
Here are strategies and tools you can use to reduce your home’s moisture levels.
1. Purchase a Dehumidifier
Do you know that a dehumidifier is used by 13% of American households? You need one if you don’t have one already! If you want to eliminate moisture from your air, purchasing a dehumidifier is an easy fix.
How does it function? It’s actually simple. The moisture is gathered in a container after air is drawn through the apparatus. You only need to flush the surplus moisture down the drain on a regular basis.
You should install the dehumidifier in parts of the home where moisture is most likely to form. The bathroom and basement are two areas of your house that are particularly susceptible to dampness. However, because you may spend the most of your time in your home’s kitchen, living room, or bathroom, you may choose to prioritize these spaces instead.
2. Turn on Your Air Conditioner
AC systems are installed in up to 90% of American residences. When humidity levels are excessively high, your air conditioner might be a lifeline.
Because it introduces cooler air while eliminating warm, humid air, your air conditioning unit naturally helps reduce interior humidity. If you want to get the benefits of air conditioning, you must ensure that your system is in good working order.
Maintain humidity control by having your air conditioning unit tuned up and changing the filter on a regular basis. Anything that inhibits airflow or makes your AC unit malfunction is not a friend.
3. Turn on Your Ventilation or Exhaust Fans
Use your ventilation fans when showering or cooking on a hot stove. Leave them on a bit longer after you’ve finished your activity, rather than turning them off once you’re done. This will go a long way toward lowering indoor humidity. Whenever the fan is turned on, it distributes moisture across the area, preventing humidity from accumulating in one spot.
4. Take Cooler Showers
You need to reduce the amount of time you spend in the shower. However, in order to minimize humidity in your house, you must also lower the temperature. As a result, showers will be shorter and cooler. If possible, make sure your washroom is also ventilated. After showering, always open the windows or turn on a fan to allow the steam to escape the room.
5. Fix Leaking Pipes
When attempting to lower indoor humidity, the last thing you need is additional moisture. Repair any leaks and cover any exposed pipes with insulators to prevent condensation from developing. Leaks can be identified by discolored walls, moist areas, and unusual water bills. The best thing to do in this situation is to hire a professional plumber to address the leaks.
6. Clean Your Gutters
Gutters are frequently the source of interior water leakage, which is bad for your property and humidity levels. It is critical to clear your gutters and ensure that your downspouts are drawn away from your property. Also, make sure they stretch for at least six feet.
7. Hang Clothes Outside to Dry
Drying your clothes by the use of electricity is not your only option this summer! Simply lay your clothes out to dry in the sunlight. Many people don’t see an issue with letting their clothes hang-dry indoors. However, moisture permeates throughout your house when you let damp garments dry indoors. Hanging your clothing outside might assist in keeping your home from becoming even more humid throughout the summer.
8. Move Your House Plants
You may be surprised to learn that plants contribute to the humidity in your home. This is because some plants actually require more water or misting to survive, therefore keeping those areas of your home moist as well. Furthermore, when your plants utilize carbon dioxide, they expel moisture into the air. During the warmer months, your houseplants will obviously benefit from the sunshine. Heat and moisture are not a great mix. Try keeping them all in the same room or same area to minimize the spread of moisture throughout your home. If this isn’t possible, keeping plants in the bathroom is a frugal way of utilizing the natural humidity of showers and baths without causing excess moisture.
9. Make Use of Charcoal Briquettes
Charcoal briquettes are no longer exclusively for grilling. They do, in fact, make an excellent dehumidification aid. All you should do is place a few briquettes in a container — a can or basket would suffice. Charcoal is highly absorbent and will draw moisture from the air. You only need to change it every two months.
10. Open Your Windows
It is possible that your home will become more damp indoors than it is outside. If this occurs, simply open your windows. This will also help to cool down your house. Enabling the air to flow rather than becoming trapped within the walls of your home could be quite beneficial.
Get in touch with We Care Plumbing, Heating, & Air right away if you feel that the humidity levels in your house are too excessive for your comfort or your wellness. We can examine your Temecula house and recommend the finest solutions. We also offer reliable air conditioning, heating, water heaters, plumbing, and air quality services. Call us today!
