Is Humidity Bad for Your House?

Yes. Unfortunately, high humidity can leave you and your home sweating and feeling uncomfortable. But did you know excessive humidity can be bad for your house? 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 get rid of.

So, how do you know if your house has too much humidity? The ideal amount of humidity is around 30-50%. If you exceed that level, you start entering worrisome territory. The good news is there are ways to help reduce and manage moisture in your home and prevent future issues.

Measure Your Home’s Humidity Levels

Did you know you can take your home’s humidity level? A hygrometer measures the moisture levels in the air. Don’t worry, you won’t have to call someone out to test your home’s humidity levels. Hygrometers are affordable and can be purchased at your local hardware store or online.

What Can You Do to Lower the Humidity in Your House?

If you get a high humidity reading, you will want to take steps to reduce your humidity levels. Here are a few methods we recommend:

1. Utilize Your Air Conditioner

Running your air conditioner not only creates a cool and comfortable house, it can also help reduce indoor humidity. That’s because it’s creating cooler air and removing warm/humid air at the same time. Keeping the fan on the on position can help by continuing to blow air around. That’s a win-win.

2. Install a Dehumidifier

A whole house dehumidifier may be your best bet when looking for ways to reduce your home’s indoor humidity. As air passes through your furnace, it removes moisture. The cost of the dehumidifier and installation can range from $1,000 to $3,000 but it could help save your home from damage and harmful conditions.

3. Use Exhaust and Ventilation Fans

Hot showers and cooking can cause warm air inside your home. The ventilation fans in bathrooms and over your stove can help to reduce the humidity. You can also reduce the temperature of your shower to limit warm moisture from producing.

4. Keep Leaks Out

Be sure you’re not adding moisture to your home by allowing leaks to come in. Leaking pipes and faucets add more moisture for your home to absorb. If you see any leaks in your ceiling or notice water collecting under pipes, take swift action to fix those issues. It’s also a good idea to be sure your gutters are free of debris and the downspouts are directed far away from your home.

5. Add a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat could be an important part of your strategy to control humidity in your home. For instance, the Nest Learning Thermostat has a cool to dry setting which utilizes your AC to help dehumidify your home. When it detects a certain amount of humid air it will turn your AC unit on. If the humidity level isn’t changing, it will turn the AC off.

6. Pick the Right Plants

Did you know some house plants can actually help absorb humidity? It’s true, plants like Boston Ferns do well in high-moisture environments. They can take in air moisture and help to lower humidity levels.

Owning a home can be both rewarding and challenging at the same time. Keep these tips in mind to keep you, your family and your home safe, as well as connect with your local Farm Bureau agent.