Humidity can wreak havoc on wood floors, furniture, paint, wallpaper and other items in your home. Moreover, excessive humidity promotes mold and mildew growth.
Keep excess moisture at bay by insulating and sealing your house. This will prevent warm, humid air from entering the house and cold, dry air from seeping in.
1. Install A Dehumidifier
Humidity problems occur because warm air cools and becomes saturated with water vapor. That water vapor clings to surfaces and promotes the growth of mold and mildew, which in turn leads to wallpaper and furniture damage.
Installing a dehumidifier helps because it removes the excess moisture from the air and circulates drier air throughout the house. You can also reduce humidity by ensuring your home is properly and consistently heated and by keeping moisture-producing activities to a minimum.
That means taking short showers and using ventilation fans when cooking or cleaning, hanging up clothes outdoors and letting potted plants dry before indoors. It also means having a plumber check for leaky pipes, which can introduce excess moisture into your home. Leaks are a major source of moisture problems because they add to the total humidity level of your home.
2. Change Your Air Filter
Having your home’s air conditioner repaired, regularly changing its filter and keeping it unblocked can limit humidity by keeping its efficiency high. This helps it to remove moisture vapor in the air and replace it with fresh, filtered air from outside. Having ventilation fans that vent to the outside, such as bathroom exhausts, ductwork for dryers, and kitchen extractors running during and slightly after showering, boiling water or cooking, can also reduce humidity.
Mold, mildew and bacteria thrive in excessive indoor humidity. It can also damage wood floors, furniture and wallpaper. An HVAC company like Bloomington Heating & Air can suss out the source of your indoor humidity problem and create a plan for controlling it year-round. This will keep your home comfortable and healthy.
3. Check for Leaky Pipes
When water is leaking, it introduces extra moisture into the air, raising humidity levels. Leaking pipes should be repaired promptly to reduce the chance of mold growth and other structural damage.
Long, hot showers can also contribute to excess indoor humidity. To keep humidity levels low, showers should be taken shorter and a fan used to help ventilate the room afterward.
Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans that vent to the outside are a great way to limit humidity in homes and apartments. Make sure these fans are running during and slightly after showering, washing laundry, cooking and dishes to remove excess moisture. Also, consider using a dehumidifier or air conditioner to maintain low humidity levels. This can help prevent moisture-related health issues like dry, itchy eyes and skin, a runny nose or wheezing.
4. Turn Off the Heat
During the summer, keeping surfaces dry can help reduce indoor humidity levels. This includes showering, cooking, washing dishes, and cleaning, as well as ensuring that air conditioning vents are free of moisture.
High levels of home moisture can be a major health concern, causing bacteria and mold to grow in your air. This can also decrease your indoor air quality and aggravate allergy or asthma symptoms.
Opening your windows can increase humidity in your home, making it harder for your air conditioner to keep up. If you decide to open the windows during a heat wave, remember that it’s important to close them once outdoor temperatures cool off. This will help lower indoor moisture levels and save energy. If you’re concerned about your indoor humidity, contact a trusted HVAC expert for advice.
5. Take a Bath
It’s no secret that Wisconsin summers are humid, but indoor humidity can turn your house into a tropical rainforest (or a sauna). That extra moisture not only makes it harder to cool down your home, but it can also cause rot on furniture, wood and paper. If your home’s humidity levels are out of control, it could mean expensive repair bills for you and your family. One simple way to combat humidity is by taking a bath. You can make the experience even more enjoyable by adding bath oil, which provides an enticing aroma and also leaves your skin feeling soft. Just remember to test the temperature of your water and choose a safe amount of bath oil for your household. This will help avoid a dangerous overdose of eucalyptus oil, which can be toxic.
This article is extremely informative and helpful in understanding the impact of humidity on our homes. I will definitely be taking these tips into consideration to prevent any damage caused by excessive moisture.
I completely agree, Chapman! It’s important to be aware of the dangers of humidity and take measures to control it in our homes.
While the article offers valuable advice, the multitude of grammar and syntax errors detract from its readability and credibility. Quality content should be paired with proper language use.
I concur, Isabel. The importance of proper language usage cannot be understated, especially in an educational article such as this.
I share your sentiment, Isabel. While the content is beneficial, the presence of errors does indeed diminish the article’s quality.
The advice given in this article is simply invaluable. It’s essential to be aware of how indoor humidity can lead to various health and structural issues. These tips are crucial for preventing such problems.
Absolutely, Russell. These tips can truly make a difference in maintaining a healthy and comfortable living environment.
I couldn’t agree more, Russell. The impact of humidity on our homes is often underestimated, so these recommendations are incredibly important.
I find it ironic that taking a bath is suggested as a way to combat humidity, especially considering the potential for eucalyptus oil overdose. Nonetheless, the other tips are quite helpful and should be taken into consideration.
I see your point, Logan. The suggestion of taking a bath seems counterintuitive given the humidity issue, but the other points are indeed valuable.
This article presents compelling evidence on the impact of humidity, and provides practical advice for maintaining a healthy home environment.