Aside from the obvious discomfort of high humidity indoors, it comes with some other disadvantages that may just turn the whole experience from bad to worse. High relative humidity is awful, especially if it happens inside. It causes indoor air quality to drop and decreases the energy efficiency of the home. Plus, your HVAC system will be running even in hot temperatures –which only translates to more money out of the pocket. Having moisture indoors also presents a health risk. It encourages mold growth and provides a conducive environment for other disease-causing organisms to develop.
When you notice your hands getting clammy or catch the smell of mildew in the air, you need urgent measures to relieve high humidity in your home. Here are some measures you can take to temporarily relieve your humidity problem while you find a long-term solution.
Use a dehumidifier
Reasonable interior humidity is around 30%-50%. Extremes on either side are uncomfortable and so if you are facing high humidity indoors, getting a dehumidifier will help to return everything to balance. There are plenty of dehumidifiers, from portable to fixed, which can fit any reasonable budget range.
Use exhaust fans
Kitchen and bathroom fans are very instrumental in removing humid air from the house and preventing the suspended water from condensing. This will reduce the chances of mold growth and improve the air quality inside the house.
Avoid boiling water indoors on a humid day
Showers and kettles are some of the biggest sources of high humidity indoors. By design, they boil water to a vapor that diffuses inside the house, increasing the humidity. To relieve high humidity, take colder and shorter showers and use a covered-up pot or utensils if you have to boil water.
Dry your clothes outside
Instead of using indoor drying racks when you can’t put the clothes in a dryer, opt to dry your clothes outside. Otherwise, all the moisture from the clothes goes into the air, increasing your relative humidity. If you have to hang them inside, adding other support measures like a dehumidifier is highly advisable.
Now that you know some simple ways of relieving high humidity indoors, what are you waiting for? Give Barrier Waterproofing Systems a call today at (615) 257-1060 to help you take control of your home’s comfort.
