With the summer heat comes high humidity. Your home can trap humidity inside, making the heat feel worse. Even if you have a central air conditioning system, there can still be too much indoor humidity. Excess humidity doesn’t just make the environment uncomfortable, it can also cause damage in your home if not addressed.
In our most recent blog, the HVAC technicians at Novak Heating and Cooling discuss Symptoms of High Humidity In The Home and offer up some solutions as to how you can address this issue and restore proper humidity levels.
Novak Heating and Cooling is Hiawatha, Iowa’s best bet for all of your air conditioning needs. Don’t suffer in the heat; call Novak Heating and Cooling right away if your air conditioner stops working this summer.
Symptoms of High Relative Humidity in the Home
Ideally, the humidity levels in your home should be between 30-50%. You can find out how humid your home is with a humidity meter, also called a hygrometer. This is a great idea to do first, especially if you notice signs of high indoor humidity levels.
Window Condensation
If your home is too humid, you will frequently notice condensation buildup on windows and toilet tanks. The buildup of moisture on a window sill can eventually rot wooden casings, and that wetness can allow mold to grow. If you notice excess moisture, wipe it away immediately. Following a shower, be sure to run the fan for a prolonged period of time to help remove the humidity from the room to prevent moisture buildup.
Mold on Ceilings and Corners of Walls
Bathrooms that continuously have mold spots on walls, floors, ceilings, and around showers are symptoms of too much humidity. You can clean the mold spots with bleach, or repaint these areas with a paint that is formulated to resist mildew. Mold growth can cause air pollutants that set off allergies to members of your family.
Musty Smell or Odor
If certain areas of your home such as closets and crawl spaces have a musty smell to them, it’s likely from the presence of mold and mildew growing in these areas. These areas are commonly damp and humid.
Dampness in Basement
If your basement walls look damp every spring, it’s probably from groundwater dampness. Basements are especially vulnerable to humidity issues. If your basement has a dirt floor, it’s a good idea to seal it to prevent excessive moisture from coming into your basement from the earth into your home.
High Humidity Solutions
Don’t suffer from excessive humidity. Novak Heating and Cooling has many solutions to help you control humidity levels.
Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers work a lot like air conditioners. They both take in the air and then extract the moisture from it, allowing the moisture to drain from the unit. With a dehumidifier, the moisture will drain into a drain bucket that has a float that will trigger a shut-off to prevent overflowing. The final result of a dehumidifier is that water is removed from the air and less humid air is returned into the room. It’s a good idea to have dehumidifiers in rooms without windows such as closets, basements, and bathrooms.
Desiccants
Desiccants are moisture-absorbing products like baking soda or washed charcoal that absorb unwanted moisture. You may have seen products that hang from closets and collect water. Desiccants also remove unwanted odors and purify the air. Using a desiccant in a closet is a good way to prevent your clothes from smelling musty in a particularly humid closet.
Ventilation and Fans
Rooms without windows tend to be the most humid rooms. These rooms are usually closets, kitchens, and bathrooms. With no windows, these rooms lack airflow, which makes the air feel stale and heavy. Consider installing ceiling fans in particularly humid rooms to keep the air moving. Make sure to clean exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to keep moisture from building up in these areas.
Call Novak Heating and Cooling for More Humidity Solutions
If your home seems particularly humid no matter what you do, trust the professionals at Novak Heating and Air. Having your air ducts cleaned and repaired can also help the airflow in your home and reduce humidity. Call to request a free quote.