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Especially in the US, many people spend between seventy-five and ninety percent of their time each day indoors. Of course, most of this time is spent at home considering that sleep time alone takes a third of a day on average. Now, regardless of whether it’s a home, office, or commercial establishment, a range of pollutants are bound to gain entry into indoor environments. This aside, moisture concentration in the circulating indoor air also fluctuates from time to time depending on various factors.
If indoor air is excessively moist, issues such as mold growth can plague indoor spaces. High humidity can also cause damage to your personal effects, documents, furniture, and other belongings. It can damage structural elements such as the ceiling, wallpaper, paint, and walls over time, leading to huge losses. The good thing is that this can be prevented by regulating humidity.
With this being said, here are four useful tips you may need to reduce indoor humidity in your home
1. Ensure Proper Air Circulation
This is extremely essential in vital areas like the bathroom and the kitchen. In these areas, a high level of moisture is released, significantly increasing indoor humidity levels as the evaporation process takes place. The laundry room is also a common culprit in many homes. This is why it is advisable to invest in quality high-efficiency washing machines that save power and water while minimizing mold formation. They also come with vented laundry drains that improve air circulation while getting rid of excessive moisture buildup.
All the same, proper ventilation is a great way to reduce indoor humidity by enhancing air circulation. Through the natural process of evaporation, enhanced ventilation helps eliminate excess moisture from indoor air while providing safe air to breathe. By opening doors or windows in those areas, for instance, you can ensure the moisture is not trapped.
You can also invest in fans for your kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom. With an efficient fan, all you have to do is install it in a strategic location but not so close to the source of moisture to ensure improved air circulation. In most cases, these fans are strategically placed on windows, ceilings, walls, or in the air ducts. Aside from moisture, they also help remove dust and odors from your living space.
2. Use a Dehumidifier
This mechanical equipment is designed to remove moisture from your indoor space. It features a compressor and a fan, which work together to draw in the humid air. The sucked air is then filtered for moisture and condensed so that only dry air is released. That is basically how a dehumidifier works to reduce indoor humidity. Buying one can be a bit overwhelming because of the many varieties available. Therefore, you have to be guided by price, size, and drainage system.
If you are in a small house with few humidity cases, you can use the small portable version. However, if you live in a complex home, an integrated whole-home system is the best option. It may cost you much during the initial purchase but it will be worth it in the long run.
3. Grow the Right Indoor Plants
It is not uncommon for most people to love introducing a touch of nature into their homes. It’s one of the best secrets to an aesthetically pleasing indoor space. However, sometimes beauty comes at a price, which equates to increased air moisture in this case. This is caused by evapotranspiration, a process through which water from the soil is released into the air via the plants’ leaves.
They could be purifying your air, but a lot of them may also increase indoor humidity. If you specifically notice moisture problems in your home, you can grow just a few moisture-absorbing indoor plants, especially the dryer varieties like peace lily, red palm, Boston fern, or cacti. Placing these in the most humid areas can help minimize the problem.
4. Control Hot Water Used
The use of hot water increases your energy bill and also causes increased humidity in your home. This is because the steam produced condenses and moves to different parts of your house. Therefore, you should restrict the number of times you boil water. If done constantly, it can lead to the accumulation of moisture.
The effects can be more hazardous if it is done on humid days. Another way to control this is by taking shorter showers. When possible, you can opt for a cold one. As much as the time spent at the shower is part of your soothing moments while at home, cutting back on your shower time by just a few minutes can make a huge difference.
From allergies to skin irritability and damage to property, excessive humidity in the indoor space can have several unpleasant effects. However, you can maintain the appropriate moisture levels in your indoor space if you are well informed. The above are a few helpful pointers to do just that.