The presence of excess moisture in your house could lead to some serious damage. Depending on how severe it is, humidity can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint peeling, and a variety of health concerns for the homeowner. Not only is it dangerous, but it’s also costly. Higher humidity decreases your energy efficiency because it makes the air inside your home warmer, making your HVAC work harder to cool down your house.
Excessive indoor humidity caused by normal activities such as showering, cooking and drying clothes can also be a source of moisture-related issues or musty odors.
Homes struggle with this, especially during the summer and winter months—when the temperature outside rivals the temperature inside. Do you ever walk into a room and it feels muggy despite the air conditioner being on? You probably have a humidity problem.
According to ENERGY STAR, the ideal indoor humidity level is between 30 – 50%. If your home’s humidity level is above that, it’s time to take some preventative measures.
How to Reduce Indoor Humidity
If a certain room in your home has a specific spot that’s moist, you’re probably dealing with a leak and that needs to be fixed by a professional. However if it’s an entire room that’s impacted, or even an entire wall, then you’re most likely looking at a humidity problem.
Dry Floors in Crawl Space
If your home has an unfinished crawl space with a dirt floor, cover it with a plastic ground cover—make sure that the soil is dry, and that you have no standing water in the area. If the area is moist, use fans to help you dry it out.
Use Exhaust Fans
If you’re in the kitchen or bathroom, run the exhaust fans to help vent out unsavory odors and excess humidity. So whenever you have to cook or take a shower, run your exhaust fans to keep that excess moisture out.
According to the EPA, if left in a room for 24-48 hours, humidity levels above 55% can cause mold and bacteria to grow. It’s suggested that you increase the air circulation and temperature in order to increase the speed of drying.
Plants for the Home
Did you know that some plants remove moisture from the air? Peace Lily, Reed Palm, English Ivy, Boston Fern, and Tillandsia all help to reduce the humidity in your house. The best part is that not only are you reducing the moisture in your home but you’re also helping the environment with your green thumb.
A/C Unit
Air conditioners are also a great way to prevent or reduce humidity. They have a natural method of dehumidifying because in order to cool your home it pulls in air from outside and filters out the moisture. However, this is only as effective as its filters. After extended use, the filters can become clogged and inefficient. This promotes humidity but you just need to clean them and they’ll be good as new.
Don’t Boil Water
On particularly hot and humid days try not to boil water. The steam that it generates will linger in the air increasing the humidity levels in your home. This also includes the steam created when you take indulgent, steaming hot showers. If it’s not possible to avoid these activities, make sure that you use your exhaust fans during and after in order to minimize the moisture.
Replace Carpets
Something that most people don’t think about is replacing their carpets. It’s a little known fact that carpets retain moisture. Because of this, they may contribute to the humidity in your house, not to mention stinking up your space. So that drink you spilled months ago may be doing more than just staining your carpet.
If you’ve tried everything and are at your wit’s end with the smell and humidity, consider replacing your carpets.
Dehumidifier for Your Home
If the humidity levels in your home is at 65% or more, then it’s time for a dehumidifier. The good news is that you don’t need to shell out a ton of money in order to decrease the humidity in your home. Eva-Dry offers portable dehumidifiers that you can place in any and all problem spots in your home. Don’t be miserable in your own home, start tackling that humidity today.
How to Reduce Humidity with Eva-Dry
Eva-Dry compact dehumidifiers help eliminate moisture in the air.
Eva-Dry dehumidifiers absorb moisture using very thirsty desiccant beads. Once the unit is full, simply plug it in to “renew.” It releases water vapor and is renewable in as little as 12-14 hours. It is a safe, non-toxic defense against moisture damage and household odors.
To learn more check out our mini dehumidifiers for the home or contact us.
