There is nothing worse than high humidity, especially in the summer months. The continuous sweating and hot, uncomfortable sensations can make your life a misery. Not only does high humidity make your indoor environment unbearable, but it can also be terrible for your health. For example, researchers have found that humidity levels above 60% can lead to numerous respiratory problems such as allergic reactions, sneezing, wheezing, and coughing.
The ideal humidity level for a home is between 30% and 50% that is without installing honeywell thermostats. While it may seem daunting to maintain such levels, there are plenty of easy ways you can better control the humidity in your home. By using the seven following tips, you can rest assured knowing you’ve got your home’s humidity under control.
Tips for Managing Humidity in the Home
Crank Up the Air Conditioner
Air conditioning is the best way to manage your home’s humidity, especially during the summertime. Air conditioning works by exchanging cool air with warm air. While conditioning the warm air, the system eliminates moisture, reducing the humidity levels in the home. Central air systems work great for these purposes, but even small systems like a wall AC unit can help you maintain the ideal humidity in your home.
Implement a Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers help quickly remove excess moisture from the air, thereby making the entire home feel more comfortable. There are a variety of dehumidifiers on the market, ranging from small, portable units to large models that can serve a mansion.
Dehumidifiers work by drawing in humid air and passing it over a cooling coil. As the air passes over the coil, water droplets condense on the surface and are collected in a reservoir. The dry air is then circulated back into the room. If your air conditioner is struggling to keep up, a dehumidifier is an ideal way to manage humidity in your home.
Change Your Indoor Plants
While indoor plants add beauty and tranquility to the home, a major drawback is that they contribute to the humidity as well. If your home is getting too humid, try moving your plants outdoors or to a separate room. You could also change them out for plants like succulents that don’t put off as much humidity. Look for plants that are water-absorbing or natural dehumidifiers, such as aloe vera and spider plants, allowing you to have plants wherever you want.
Let the Fresh Air In
A temporary yet immediate method to reduce humidity can be simply opening the windows. Depending on the weather outside, letting in the fresh air can quickly lower the humidity level in your home.
The movement of air helps to evaporate any moisture that may be present, reducing the humidity level. In addition, opening the windows provides an opportunity to let out any stale air that may be trapped indoors. As a result, opening the windows boosts comfort levels, improves indoor air quality, and helps prevent respiratory problems such as asthma and rhinitis.
Check for Leaking Pipes
A less common cause of high humidity in homes is leaks in the water lines. These leaks can occur anywhere in the system, from the main water line to the fixtures and pipes throughout the home. As water seeps out of the pipes, it evaporates into the air, raising the humidity level in your home.
In addition, leaks can lead to mold and mildew growth, further contributing to high humidity levels. Therefore, if you suspect you leak, it is essential to have it repaired as soon as possible. Not only will this help to keep your home more comfortable, but it will also prevent further damage to your plumbing system and health risks like black mold.
Dry Your Clothes Outside
While the winters are too cold for drying clothes outside, the summertime can be the perfect time to hang them on a line to air-dry. When clothes dryers run, they can emit humidity into the home. If there’s chronically high humidity in your home and line drying isn’t an option, try drying your clothes in a closed laundry room or send them for drying to a laundry service. You will feel a big difference in the humidity level of your home!
Use Your Exhaust Fans
Exhaust fans also play an essential role in managing your home’s humidity levels. These exhaust fans control the humidity levels in frequently wet places like washrooms and kitchens. Minimizing the moisture in kitchens and washrooms can help keep humidity levels in check. One way to do this is to install an exhaust fan to remove the excess water vapors during showers and boiling water. This can greatly reduce humidity levels along with providing a more healthy living environment.
Healthier Families Start With Optimal Home Humidity
Managing humidity levels in your home is essential to keeping your family healthy and comfortable. Whether it be removing plants from the inside of your home or installing a wall air conditioner, the seven tips we’ve provided are a great place to start. It’s important to remember that everyone’s needs vary, so pick the ones that make the most sense for your life and stay cool!
David Harrison
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