Humidity inside your house can cause a great deal of discomfort once the harsh hot months kick in. It is not a secret that indoor humidity can pose some serious hazards to you and your family’s health. This increased moisture in the air can cause rot and mold on surfaces which can put you at significant risks.
So, you may ask how to reduce humidity in the house in the summer? It is possible to reduce humidity in your home during the hotter season with the use of a dehumidifier, ventilation, plants, insulation, and by keeping surfaces dry,
During steamy and hot summer days, humidity levels in homes can go up to as much as 70%.
Your AC will have to work more diligently to lower the humidity to a level that is more comfortable, about 30 to 50 percent.
When you lower the humidity in your house through several simple steps, however, you can also lower your energy bill. Better yet, you can also enjoy better circulation and make your home cooler.
Keep you and your whole family comfortable and safe through these tips:
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1. Use a Dehumidifier
Purchasing a dehumidifier can help you save some cash on air conditioning in the long run.
Through air dehumidification, you can make your home environment feel much cooler.
Thus, you can increase your AC’s temperature and save some money.
If you plan to dehumidify a single room of your home, the price of smaller sized dehumidifiers is around $50 on the average.
On the other hand, if you want to dehumidify your entire house, expect to spend around $150 up to $300.
You can also find portable dehumidifiers in stores and these come in various sizes.
2. Always Ventilate
Proper ventilation can do wonders in reducing humidity during the summer months. Long and hot showers produce great amounts of steam that can lead to humidity.
You can try to turn on the ventilation fan when you shower or you can also open a window.
Try to decrease your shower temperature and time as well.
One more tip to try is to turn on the fan every time you cook in the kitchen.
Boiling produces steam which can cause humidity. It will be much better if you can cover all boiling pans and pots while you cook.
It will help prevent the scents from taking over your home.
Fans can improve circulation which can lessen the condensation and humidity inside your house.
Add portable or standing fans in areas of your house that are most humid such as the attic, kitchen, and bathroom.
Also read:Â How To Reduce Humidity In A Room Naturally
3. Get Help from Plants
Plants can release moisture into the air. At the same time that plans are opening their pores to get carbon dioxide, they release water as well that creates moisture.
If your house is abundant with greens, you can consider placing some plants outdoors. Overwatering your plans can only add more moisture to the air.
Water your flowers and plants only when necessary. The same rule applies for your outdoor plants.
Overwatering can create puddles near the foundation which can increase humidity.
4. Deal with Laundry Properly
Your dryer and washer produce large amounts of humidity. To lower humidity, see to it that you load the dryer and washer only if you already have a full load.
One more option is to hang and dry your clothes outside as this can also help you save cash on utilities.
Check that the dryer is venting outdoors, too. When your dryer vents inside, you will only add more condensation and steam into the air.
Read this review if you need the best dehumidifier to dry clothes.
5. Don’t Forget Outdoors
Ensure that the downspouts are still draining the water away from the house instead of forming wet spots near your foundation.
You could redirect downspouts in order for the water to fall away from your house by a minimum of 5 feet instead of settling around it. It will also be a great idea to plant a garden at a minimum of 1 foot away from your home’s border.
Downspouts and gutters must be kept clear all the time. With a regular checking of downspouts and gutters, you can be sure that your house will stay free from humidity.
Also, don’t forget to watch out for any leaking faucets when you conduct your maintenance routine outdoors.
These leaking faucets can lead to water pools which can be damaging to your foundation, indoor humidity, and bills.
6. InsulateÂ
Several parts of your house can produce moisture that can humidify it. Your pipes, windows, attic, and basement all serve as entryways for moisture.
This, combined with steam produced by cooking and showering, is equivalent to 18 gallons of water every week in medium-sized houses.
Insulating these places can help lower humidity and decrease your cooling and heating bill throughout all seasons.
Some good insulating materials are caulk for filling in wall cracks and plastic wrap for the windows. Wall cracks can also serve as an entryway for moisture which can be filled through caulking.
If you want more drastic means with bigger benefits, you can also waterproof your home’s walls. There are waterproofing materials that you can apply on walls such as pain.
These products are also useful for fixing cracks in your concrete walls.
7. Keep All Surfaces Dry
The simplest and easiest method to reduce humidity in your house in summer is to keep all surfaces dry.
After you wash the dishes, see to it that you dry the counter and sink.
The same thing applies after you take a shower or brush your teeth.
Once left alone, those seemingly harmless puddles of water can lead to the growth of mold or that brownish black color you can see in shower corners and in between tiles.
Always have a worn out towel or dish rag in the bathroom or kitchen to dry spots where water tends to pile up easily and is often left to dry by itself.
Summer months are bearable, especially when you know how to maintain healthy humidity levels in your home.
Follow the simple tips above and expect a more comfortable summer than ever before!
