Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of biological pollutants. Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows.
Do you have symptoms of excess moisture in your home? Symptoms include: Condensation on windows during the winter. Excessive mildew in the bathroom.
One way to measure humidity is with a hygrometer. Hygrometers are available at most hardware stores, and they're relatively simple to use. Just place the device in an area of your home that you'd like to measure, and wait for the reading to stabilize.
Say something like “Hey Siri, what's the temperature in here?” or “Hey Siri, what's the humidity in the basement?”
Place two or three ice cubes into a glass, add water and stir. Wait three to four minutes. If moisture does not form on the outside of the glass, the air is too dry; you may need a humidifier. If water has condensed on the outside of the glass, the level of relative humidity is high.
If you have too much humidity in your home, you could face harmful mold and mildew growth, and even structural damage. It can even grow in your carpets and can be hard to eliminate.
How Does Your Air Conditioner Reduce the Humidity in Your Home? Air conditioners reduce the humidity in the air in your home through its regular processing to cool the air. Refrigerant pumps through the evaporator coils making the temperature of the coils drop below the dew point.
Humidity above 50% may invite bacteria, fungi, and other germs. And water starts to condense on windows and other home surfaces around 60%. Plus, the humidifier itself can grow mold and bacteria that blow into the air unless you clean and dry it daily.
You can often detect moisture issues by looking for water stains, discoloration, or visible mold. Other signs include peeling paint, bubbling wallpaper, and soft or warped drywall, which can signal moisture buildup.
Dirty evaporator coils and clogged air filters can hinder your air conditioner's ability to dehumidify the air. When the evaporator coil is dirty, it can't absorb heat and humidity as effectively. Similarly, a clogged filter restricts airflow, reducing the system's overall efficiency.
Using the Barometer & Altimeter App
Barometer and Altimeter is a free Android app that reports the temperature and humidity using your Android's built-in sensors. If your Android does not have built-in sensors, the app uses your GPS to find the temperature and humidity based on a nearby weather station.
Damp spots could appear in many places—on the floor, walls, or ceilings. Maybe it's a wet spot on the carpet. Or a water stain that has caused discoloration on your wood floor. These stains can also show up on ceilings and walls—something particularly common with leaks from upstairs bathrooms or damaged roofs.
Air your home regularly.
Open doors and windows for 10-15 minutes each morning, or use a ventilation system. Airing out a room when you turn off the heater also helps to avoid condensation.
Purchase a Hygrometer
Hygrometers are widely available and the easiest way to get an accurate reading. According to Energy Star, the humidity level in your home should stay between 30-50%. A hygrometer will allow you to monitor your humidity levels, which you should do regularly to ensure consistency.
Ceiling fans can be extremely beneficial in reducing humidity in a home because they are able to keep air circulating across an entire room and from the top down. Even a fan spinning at a low speed can help drastically with air circulation and lowering humidity.
AC Condenser Coils Need Cleaning
One reason your home is humid with the air conditioner running could be dirty condenser coils. Condenser coils are an important component of air conditioners. They use refrigerants to take heat and moisture from the indoor air and release the heat outdoors.
1> Dehumidifiers: Portable dehumidifiers are effective for reducing moisture in the air. 2> Ventilation: Open windows and doors to promote airflow, which can help lower humidity levels. 3> Fans: Use ceiling fans or oscillating fans to circulate air and reduce moisture buildup.
Signs of High Humidity
Condensation on Windows: If you notice water droplets on the inside of your windows, it's a sign that there's too much moisture in the air. Mold Spots: Mold loves damp environments. If you're spotting mold in corners, on walls, or in the bathroom, your home's humidity is too high.
Humidity can also impact sleep in indirect ways. Excessive dampness may aggravate asthma symptoms, and can also lead to bronchitis, respiratory infections, and other breathing problems that can cause sleep disruptions. Allergens that trigger adverse reactions from sleepers are another concern.
To make matters worse, these physical responses don't work as well in humid conditions. When our body is going haywire, we become vulnerable to a host of heat and humidity-related side effects like fatigue, muscle cramps and breathing difficulties.
Mold needs 55% or higher humidity in order to grow. Also, remember that reducing humidity below 30% isn't a good idea, either. This can cause health problems, making your eyes nose and skin dry, and exasperate lung and skin conditions.