How to Get Rid of the Humidity in a Room

When it comes to climate control and comfort, one element that many people tend to overlook is humidity. Yes, the overall temperature of your interior spaces means a lot, but when your home or business is too humid, it can throw everything out of whack.

Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer from high humidity in your home or office. There are many different ways to reduce the moisture in the air to make it more comfortable. In this article, we’ll outline the various tactics you can use, as well as discuss why lower humidity levels are so beneficial.

Why Humidity Matters

If you’re curious as to why you should be focused on improving your home or business’ humidity levels, here are a few reasons.

Mold Growth

All buildings have some level of mold, but those that have higher than average humidity levels are much worse. Mold and mildew can grow unchecked when the air moisture is above 55%, which can pose a variety of health problems. Not only that, but mold can weaken certain parts of the building (i.e., drywall), which can lead to expensive repairs later on.

Lingering Smells

Bad odors can occur anywhere at any time, but they are so much worse in humid environments. The air moisture traps the smells on various surfaces, which can lead to a lingering odor. Not only that but as mold grows, it will emit its own scents as well, which are usually off-putting.

HVAC System

One of the primary problems with overly humid environments is that they are harder to control. It takes a lot longer for moist air to warm or cool, which means that your HVAC system or air conditioner will have to work a lot harder throughout the day. Reducing your humidity by just 10 percent can have a significant impact on your utility bill.

How to Reduce Humidity

Now that you understand the value of keeping your interior spaces cool and dry, let’s look at the various ways to reduce air moisture as much as possible.

Fix Any Leaks

Your primary concern should be to eliminate any water that shouldn’t be there. Leaky pipes, faucets, or drains can be a substantial source of moisture, which is why you need to fix them as soon as possible.

Another point of entry for leaks can be your roof or gutters. Make sure that you inspect these areas regularly, particularly after storms or high winds. The less water that can come in from the outside, the better off you’ll be inside.

Use Exhaust Fans

Most homes and businesses are equipped with various exhaust ports to remove hot and humid air already. An example would be a vent hood over your stove in the kitchen. It may seem unnecessary at times to run these fans, but you should always use them whenever appropriate. Steam can collect in the air and raise the humidity fast, so you want to remove it as quickly as possible.

Inspect Your Air Conditioner

One of the great things about A/C units is that they already dehumidify your home or business as part of their operation. However, that’s only the case when your air conditioner is working correctly.

If it’s been months since your last inspection or service, now is the perfect time to get it checked. Typically, dirty air filters can cause your A/C to work less efficiently, which can lead to higher humidity.

Another problem is when your air conditioner is too large for space. While it may seem desirable to have a high-powered A/C, the fact is that it can work too well, creating condensation in the process. Instead, opt for a slightly smaller model so that you don’t generate higher humidity by accident.

Buy Moisture-Absorbing Plants

For the most part, indoor plants will contribute to humidity. After watering them, they will “breathe” the excess moisture into the air. This is why jungles are so humid. However, certain species (i.e., ferns) can absorb more water than they expel, making them ideal for humidity control.

Be sure to do your research beforehand so that you know how to take care of the plant and that it will get the job done.

Cover Dirt-Floor Crawl Spaces

Dirt is notorious for absorbing moisture, which can contribute to humidity over time. Rather than cleaning the dirt, replace it with something less absorbent, like polyethylene. Depending on the size of your crawlspace, this fix can be relatively expensive, so see if you can correct your humidity problems with other methods first.

Use Charcoal

Interestingly enough, charcoal is one of the best materials to suck moisture from the air. If you already have some briquettes for your grill, you don’t have to buy anything for this quick fix.

Best of all, charcoal can work well for months at a time. Simply place a few pieces in an open container and let it sit. Ideally, you’ll place the charcoal in high-humidity places, like the kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom.

Use a Dehumidifier

In some cases, too much humidity can cause health problems for you or your family (or co-workers). In those situations, a high-quality dehumidifier is probably the best option. These machines are highly efficient and can dry the ambient air much faster than other methods. That being said, we recommend them only when your humidity levels are over 60 percent, or if it’s medically necessary.

Take Cooler Showers

A primary source of steam is most likely your shower. Every time you bathe, you are pumping gallons of water into the air. To help alleviate this load, you should start taking colder showers to produce less steam. Otherwise, install an exhaust fan and use it every time you clean up.

Contact Preferred Climate Solutions Today

When it comes to managing humidity, we can help. The right system can make a world of difference. See how we can make your home or business more comfortable immediately.