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.
Consider adding a whole house ventilation system. In winter, temporarily open windows just a little to allow warm moist air to leave the home and allow cold, dry air to come in. In summer, use a properly sized air-conditioner or stand-alone dehumidifier to reduce indoor humidity.
To remove the standing water from your home, you need a device that will soak up the water and put it elsewhere. This is what a sump pump does. There are two types: pedestal sump pumps and submersible sump pumps.
That's why experts recommend you keep humidity levels in your home at 55% or lower. 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.
High indoor humidity is caused by several issues, including weather, climate, indoor ventilation, leaking/plumbing issues, household activities like cooking, showering, and laundry, as well as the presence of indoor plants that release moisture into the air.
Indoor humidity levels higher than 70% can cause severe damage to home furnishings, including wood floors, wood furniture, and support structures like wooden beams, struts, and joists. Wooden window frames, wood paneling, and wallpaper can take severe damage and need replacement.
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.
The temperature in your home
Keep doors of unheated rooms open to allow some heat into them. Ideally your home should be heated between 18 to 21 degrees Celsius, but older people, babies and people who are less mobile may need it to be warmer.
Appropriate Ventilation
Ensure your house has enough airflow by opening doors and windows to allow a cross-breeze, installing ceiling fans, or employing exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to reduce dampness. This maintains ideal humidity levels by letting damp air escape and allowing fresh air to flow.
Set the Right Humidity
To get your manually-controlled dehumidifier up and running, set its humidity level. You want it set at 30 – 50%. If there's too much moisture, you'll get dampness and mould. If there's too little moisture, your home will be too dry and attract bacteria.
Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. (A storm window installed on the inside works better than one installed on the outside.) Open doors between rooms (especially doors to closets which may be colder than the rooms) to increase circulation.
Open windows and doors to help speed up the drying process. Use fans to move air around the damp walls. Also use dehumidifiers, which can help remove moisture from the air and walls. Professionals use tools like moisture meters, infrared imaging devices, dehumidifiers and heavy-duty fans.
Does DampRid work? Yes. CHOICE household products expert Chris Barnes says, "We put a DampRid container in a sealed test chamber about the size of a closet with 80% humidity and a fan for air movement. Within three days, DampRid reduced humidity to 43% and collected almost half a cup of water."
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.
The first company you should call is a mold and moisture remediation company. Those folks are pros at knowing what to do first so that your home gets fixed efficiently—and without risk of lingering health or structural issues.
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.
Should You Wipe Condensation Off Windows? Yes, wipe off any condensation on your windows with a soft microfibre cloth.
Use desiccants
Without the facilitation of an electrical appliance, desiccants such as silica gel, charcoal, and rock salt can still adsorb some moisture from the air at a slower rate, due to their hygroscopic nature. You can put a basket of charcoal in the room and replace the charcoal once it gets damp.
Mold hates light. Other than moisture there's nothing mold loves more than dark places. An easy prevention against mold growth is opening your blinds and shades. If it's warm enough out, open the windows.
Set the thermostat to a consistent temperature, even at 78°F, to keep humidity levels in check. Invest in a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are designed to extract excess moisture from the air. Place one in areas like bathrooms, basements, or laundry rooms for best results.
The best way to avoid damp and mould is by keeping your room temperature and humidity at the optimum levels. Try to maintain a consistent room temperature of around 20 °C, and avoid letting it drop below 16 °C. The humidity should be between 30 and 60%, any higher and there is too much moisture in the air.
By activating "Dry Mode", the AC system dehumidifies the air, removing excess moisture and creating a more pleasant and breathable indoor environment. Enhanced Comfort: High humidity can negatively impact the perception of temperature, making it feel warmer than it actually is.
The cost to have a whole-house dehumidifier installed typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,800 or more, including both the unit and professional installation. Prices vary based on the system's capacity, brand, and complexity of installation.
It's usually a sign that your AC equipment is too large for your space, and that it's cooling the air so quickly that it doesn't have enough time to fully dehumidify the air in your home. Is your HVAC the problem? Talk to us to find out. Those are the two major reasons your home is super-humid.