How You Can Lower Indoor Humidity During the Summer

Although summers in Ohio are relatively mild temperature wise, it’s the humidity that gets us down. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help control indoor humidity.

Perhaps you can easily tell when your indoor humidity level is way too high, but for those who need confirmation, you can get a hygrometer from a home store and get a reading. If humidity is higher than 50%, you should take steps to lower it.

How to Lower Humidity Levels

1. Humidity control starts with your HVAC system. If the air conditioner is working properly, it will remove a good deal of the indoor humidity in your home through the air-conditioning process. To do that, the air conditioner requires two things: a regular change of filters so that the AC doesn’t struggle to pull air through the system and clean condenser coils. These tasks are fairly easy, but if you don’t know how to perform them, your HVAC pro can do it for you when you call for a spring maintenance visit. Also make sure there are no obstructions in front of vents so airflow can proceed as it should.
2. Get rid of any leaks. If your plumbing is leaking or you have a leak in the ceiling that is letting moisture in, have these leaks fixed right away. Even if you can’t see or hear a leak, you can tell something’s going on if there are telltale damp odors or signs of mold and mildew. Not only are the leaks damaging drywall and other building materials, but they can contribute to excessive humidity in the home.
3. Cut back on practices that contribute to high humidity. Certain household practices can contribute to high humidity, such as long showers; cooking that involves boiling water; and washing clothes or dishes frequently. Always use exhaust ventilation in the bathroom and kitchen during these activities.
4. Try a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are either portable — so they must be moved from room to room — or whole-house types, which are plumbed into the HVAC system.

For more information on indoor humidity, contact Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning of Lorain.