Ask Art: How Can I Lower My Home’s Humidity?
South Florida is known for its illustrious beaches, international food scene, the melting pot of cultures, and yes of course, the weather. Even during the winter months, you’re hard-pressed to see temperatures ever drop below 60 °F. The caveat? It’s also really humid most of the year. May through November in South Florida can be especially humid and so, most of us retreat to our homes and blast the air conditioning in effort to escape the unbearable, balmy heat. But, what about your home humidity level? When was the last time you checked that?
Home Humidity Control: What, Why, When, & How?
Most air conditioning systems have a built-in dehumidifier to help regulate extra moisture in your home. But sometimes, the AC just isn’t enough.
In South Florida, it’s not uncommon for homes and apartments to have a separate dehumidifying system to absorb excess water in the air. Ensuring that your home humidity levels are as low as possible is your bonafide ticket to comfort inside, even when outside it feels like the Amazon Rainforest.
What’s the Ideal Indoor Humidity Level in Florida?
Ideally, most homes and dwellings in Florida should maintain indoor humidity levels between 45% and 55%.
Not only are high home humidity levels uncomfortable to live in but they can also have a damaging effect on your home. Too much home humidity can lead to mold growth and condensation on your walls. This can then cause wood rot and structural damage.
Our expert HVAC technicians in Coral Springs are here to help lower your home’s humidity levels to ensure comfortable living all year round. We’ve put together 10 ways you can lower your home humidity levels.
10 Ways To Lower My Home Humidity
Keeping your home humidity levels under control is key to staying comfortable through those hot summer months in South Florida. Here are 10 ways to help lower your home’s humidity.
1. Use Your Home HVAC System
The key to staying cool in South Florida is to use your home’s air conditioner. Your air conditioner will naturally help reduce your home’s humidity as it introduces cold air while removing warm and humid air. Maintaining your HVAC system is extremely important to ensure it is working optimally to reduce humidity levels. Be on the lookout for air conditioning services to conduct regular maintenance and don’t forget to change your filters frequently for the best results.
2. Get A Home Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is a surefire way to reduce your home’s humidity. A dehumidifier is installed inside your air vents. It works by removing moisture from the air as it passes through, releasing dry, cool air back into your home.
Using your air conditioner and dehumidifier together produces the best results in the summer months. Using both also means your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the air cooler. This makes it more energy-efficient, resulting in lower energy bills.
3. Use Your Ventilation Fans
Ventilation fans are there for a reason; to circulate the hot air caused by hot showers or cooking. Get into the habit of using them during your shower or while cooking, and keep them on a little while after you’re done. This will help keep the air circulating for longer, reducing humidity levels throughout your home.
Mold can easily grow in your bathroom if there is little ventilation and lots of hot air which can be terrible for your health and start to leave a bad smell. Turning on your bathroom vent fan is the best way to reduce the risk of mold growth. Don’t have a vent fan in your bathroom? May we suggest an HVAC technician?
4. Fix Leaking Pipes
The very last thing you want to be doing to decrease your home’s humidity levels is to add more moisture to the air. Leaking pipes are unfortunately a big cause of adding moisture into the air. Fix your leaking pipes as quickly as you can and wrap any exposed pipes in insulators. Doing this will stop condensation from forming which adds to the humidity levels of your home.
Be on the lookout for signs of leaking pipes such as wet spots, stained drywall, or irregular water bills.
5. Clean Your Gutters
We already know that leaking pipes are bad for your home’s indoor humidity. Blocked gutters are often the cause of indoor water leaks because the water doesn’t have anywhere else to go. Cleaning your gutters often is an important way to avoid indoor water leaks and maintain your home’s humidity.
6. Don’t Dry Your Laundry Inside
When it comes to laundry, there are delicate items and linens that we, unfortunately, can’t put in the dryer. Choosing to hang these clothes outside instead of on an indoor drying rack is a good way to ensure you’re not adding to your home’s humidity. Wet clothes inside will only add to the moisture in the air, causing higher humidity levels.
7. Have Cooler Showers
During the summer, use your shower time to cool off. Even if you’re not a fan of ice-cold showers, try turning the temperature down slightly to help reduce humidity. By lowering the heat of your showers, you’re adding less steam into the air which helps humidity levels. When showering, consider using your bathroom vent fan to help extract the excess moisture produced by the shower steam.
8. Move Your Indoor Plants
If your home is filled with many indoor plants, this might be causing your humidity levels to rise. Although plants are lovely, they do release extra moisture into the air. During the summer months especially, it might be a good idea to move them into a well-ventilated room, or outside onto a shaded patio area.
9. Open A Window After Showering
Opening a window when the outdoor air is humid might sound silly, but it’s important to get ventilation into your home. Opening up a window after a hot shower is an easy way to get rid of steam quickly. Just don’t forget to close it after a few minutes so that your AC unit doesn’t have to work even harder!
10. Place Charcoal Briquettes Inside Your Home
That’s right, charcoal briquettes you usually use for making a barbeque! They’re also a great home dehumidifier believe it or not. Charcoal is extremely absorbent and will suck moisture out of the air. Leave a few briquettes in a bowl throughout your home and let them work their magic!
Ask Art: HVAC Specialists in Coral Springs
For any HVAC or dehumidifier questions, our technicians have the answers. If you need help lowering your home’s humidity levels then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve helped tens of thousands of South Florida residents with their plumbing, HVAC, and electrical service needs. Our HVAC technicians are fully trained experts who have the knowledge to help you with your home humidity needs. More than that, we offer reliable and affordable services for everyone.
Give us a call today at 1-800-475-1504 to learn more about how we can help you.
