As the temperature rises during the summer months, so does the humidity. Not only is a humid environment uncomfortable, but it can also negatively impact your mood, home, and health.
Some of the most detrimental effects of high humidity include:
With so much potential for damage caused by humidity, it is crucial to find ways to control moisture, reduce humidity levels, and make sure your home is safe and comfortable for your family.
In this article, we will discuss some effective, economical ways to reduce the humidity levels in your home as cost-effectively as possible.
Your air conditioner not only cools your home, but it is also effective at reducing indoor humidity by removing the warm, damp air. It helps to keep the air in your home dry and more comfortable as long as it is properly maintained each year. Maintaining your AC unit will reduce your energy bills, extend the life of the unit, improve the airflow in your home, and keep the humidity at bay.
One of the biggest culprits of high humidity in a home is the steam produced during a hot shower. The longer your showers, the more steam is produced. One of the easiest ways to reduce the humidity in your home is to decrease your shower time. Shorter showers will help to prevent excessive humidity, as well as save you money on your water and energy bills.
Sometimes humidity is unavoidable, which is why having high quality exhaust and ventilation fans in your home is important for maintaining indoor air quality. Exhaust fans can help clear steam and heat from your kitchen while cooking, and reduce the humidity in bathrooms during hot showers. While cooking, you may also control humidity by keeping pots and pans covered to reduce the amount of steam that is released into the air.
Opening the windows around your home is a simple, effective way to rid the house of unwanted moisture. This is a great alternative to using your air conditioner, and is the most cost-effective way of controlling indoor humidity levels.
While houseplants are a valuable asset to your home, they are also responsible for releasing a hefty amount of moisture into the air. If you have plants in the house, be sure to keep them in a well-ventilated room to reduce the amount of humidity that collects in your home.
The most reliable way to effectively rid your home of excessive moisture is using a high-quality dehumidifier. You can have a whole-house dehumidifier installed into your HVAC unit, allowing it to remove moisture from the air that passes through it. It can also reduce your dependency on the air conditioner, therefore reducing your energy bills as well.
There are a variety of dehumidifiers available on the market today that come in all different sizes and designs. Some of the most common dehumidifiers include:
To ensure that your dehumidifier functions properly, be sure to frequently check the drainage, and make sure that there are no leaks in your home. Taking these precautions will help keep your home safe, comfortable, and free of excessive moisture.