Humidity can be a major problem for Ohio homeowners. When excess levels of moisture are able to accumulate in your indoor air, you and your family will experience a great deal of discomfort, your indoor air quality will be compromised, your air conditioner may run less efficiently. It’s important to understand the signs of humidity problems and how to reduce humidity within your home.
Indicators of Excess Humidity
Experts agree that a home’s humidity level should be somewhere between 30 and 50 percent. How can you tell if there’s too much moisture in the air? In many cases, you’ll be able to physically detect the muggy environment, but in others, the signs are more subtle. Water stains on walls and ceilings, mold, mildew, a musky odor and condensation on windows are some of the most common indicators. Be aware, too, that allergies can be a sign that you may need to reduce your home’s humidity levels.
Ways to Reduce Indoor Humidity
There are many simple and affordable ways to lower humidity in your home:
- Fan settings: Set your fan to “auto.” When it remains in the “on” position, the air will pass over the wet evaporator coils when the condenser cycles off, which can re-humidify your house
- Ventilation: All dryer, kitchen and bathroom vents and fans should be ventilated outdoors.
- Leaks: Address air leaks and leaky ducts right away, as they can contribute to high humidity levels.
- Dehumidifiers: Dehumidifiers are great at spot-treating problem areas.
- Vapor barriers: Dirt floors in basements, cellars and crawl spaces should be covered with a vapor barrier to seal out moisture.
Ways to Remedy Indoor Humidity
Sometimes humidity problems are so significant that more extensive measures need to be taken. High humidity can be the result of a poorly sized air conditioner. You might consider investing in a unit with a variable-speed air handler. Whole-house dehumidifiers are also a great fix.
Looking for more tips on how to reduce humidity in your house? Contact the pros at Ace Hardware Home Services. We serve the greater Dayton area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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