When you’re living in a humid climate like Florida, it’s imperative that you know how to lower high humidity in your house. Otherwise, that humid air can cause several significant problems for you and your family.
For example, if the air in your home is overly humid, it can create an environment where mold and/or fungus can grow and flourish. Excessive humidity can also cause discomfort and respiratory issues around your living space. Here, we’ll take a closer look at humidity in the home and how you can keep it in check during the muggy Florida summer.
Understanding Humidity
Generally speaking, the humidity level of your home refers to the amount of moisture in the indoor air. Typically, humidity is measured using a metric called Relative Humidity.
Relative Humidity measures how much water is in the air relative to the maximum possible amount. For example, warm air can hold more moisture than cold air. So, if a sample of warm air and cold air contains the same amount of water, the Relative Humidity of the cold air will be higher.
So, what should the indoor humidity levels be in your home? The ideal range of Relative Humidity for indoor air is usually considered to be between 40 and 60 percent.
Granted, many variables can impact the Relative Humidity of your household. For example, when you live in a place like Florida, the humidity tends to be quite high and more difficult to keep under control. Things like the season, the current weather, and your household habits can all play roles in your home’s humidity as well.
Top 20 Ways to Lower Humidity in Your House
- Use your air conditioner more frequently.
Air conditioning removes moisture from the air. Set the thermostat to a consistent temperature, even at 78°F, to keep humidity levels in check. - Invest in a dehumidifier.
Dehumidifiers are designed to extract excess moisture from the air. Place one in areas like bathrooms, basements, or laundry rooms for best results. - Utilize exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
Turn on fans while cooking or showering to vent moist air outdoors, reducing indoor humidity. - Install or upgrade ventilation systems.
Consider adding fresh air intakes to your HVAC system. These systems dehumidify incoming air while improving overall airflow. - Seal air and water leaks promptly.
Fix cracks around windows, doors, and walls, and repair plumbing leaks immediately to prevent moisture from seeping in. - Add insulation to keep humidity at bay.
Proper insulation prevents condensation and keeps your home’s interior dry, especially in attics and crawlspaces. - Check and repair plumbing leaks.
Inspect pipes regularly and fix any leaks to prevent water from increasing indoor humidity levels. - Use a humidity monitor to track indoor levels.
A humidity monitor allows you to measure Relative Humidity and adjust your methods as needed to maintain the ideal range (40-60%). - Keep your A/C system well-maintained.
Regularly clean filters and schedule professional maintenance to ensure your air conditioner is effectively reducing humidity. - Opt for shorter, cooler showers to reduce steam.
Taking shorter showers with cooler water minimizes the amount of steam released into the air. - Cover pots and pans while cooking.
Use lids when boiling or simmering food to trap steam, preventing it from escaping into the air. - Install weatherstripping around windows and doors.
Weatherstripping seals gaps that let humid outdoor air enter your home, keeping indoor humidity under control. - Use baking soda or charcoal briquettes in humid spaces.
These natural dehumidifiers absorb moisture from the air. Place them in closets, basements, or other damp areas. - Improve air circulation with ceiling or box fans.
Fans help distribute air evenly, preventing moisture from accumulating in specific spots. - Open interior doors to enhance airflow.
Allow air to flow freely between rooms to balance humidity throughout your home. - Consider installing vapor barriers in crawlspaces or basements.
Vapor barriers block ground moisture from entering your home, reducing humidity in lower-level areas. - Repair gutters and downspouts to direct water away from your home.
Properly functioning gutters and downspouts prevent water from pooling near your foundation, which can contribute to indoor moisture. - Avoid opening windows during humid weather.
Open windows bring humid outdoor air inside, increasing the moisture in your home. - Address negative air pressure with fresh air intakes.
Negative air pressure pulls humidity and contaminants indoors. Fresh air intakes allow your HVAC system to balance air pressure and dehumidify incoming air. - Dry laundry outdoors or use a vented dryer.
Hanging wet laundry indoors increases indoor humidity. Instead, use a vented dryer or line-dry clothes outdoors.
Common Causes of High Humidity in Your Home
Lowering the humidity in your house is more challenging in a naturally humid environment like Florida. Beyond the weather, certain factors inside your home may be adding to the moisture in the air. Here’s what to watch for:
- Lack of Ventilation:
Poor ventilation in areas like bathrooms and kitchens traps moisture from everyday activities like long showers, cooking, or running the dishwasher. Use exhaust fans to vent air outside. - Plumbing Leaks:
Leaky pipes add water to the air over time. When the water evaporates, it increases the Relative Humidity, making the air feel muggy. - Insufficient Insulation:
Quality insulation keeps your home cooler and prevents attic and wall moisture buildup. Without it, humidity levels can climb quickly. - High Humidity Monitoring:
A humidity monitor helps you track Relative Humidity in your home. Many modern thermostats also monitor humidity and adjust your HVAC system to manage moisture.
Maintaining Proper Humidity Levels in Your Home
When you live in Florida, the humidity level of your home is something you should monitor consistently. Even if you don’t have a significant humidity issue, there are prudent measures you can take throughout the year to ensure that one doesn’t develop.
A humidity monitor is a great investment for this reason, as it makes it very easy to keep track of the Relative Humidity in every area of your household. Humidity higher than 60% makes the home muggy and can support fungal growth. Humidity lower than 40% can cause discomfort to our respiratory system and dry out skin.
Humidity outside changes throughout the year, but not as much as you might think. Even though the temperature is low, it doesn’t mean the humidity is low. Opening windows and long hot showers during the cooler times of the year can be counterproductive and increase the relative humidity inside.
The Bottom Line
Many Florida homeowners mistakenly believe that high humidity is simply something they need to accept. As a result, they end up living with discomfort, mold infestations, and other unpleasant issues. However, these problems are avoidable if you’re proactive and diligent.
By keeping your home properly ventilated and insulated, using a dehumidifier, minimizing air and water leaks, and regularly utilizing a humidity monitor, you can keep your home’s Relative Humidity in the comfortable range of 40 to 60 percent. Your home will be a more pleasant place, you and your family will feel better, and you’ll no longer have to dread the muggy Florida summer every year!
