How Can I Lower Humidity in My Home?

This is the time of year that sends homeowners on vacation or retreating into the comfort of their air-conditioned homes. But when the humidity outside makes its way indoors, there isn’t much of a retreat to be had. If you’re looking for ways to lower the humidity in your home, the good news is that there are many practical solutions you can take advantage of right away in addition to products that can help you solve the problem.

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Easy Ways to Decrease Humidity in the Home

Here are some simple steps you can take right away to address humidity indoors:

1. Turn on the ceiling fans. It may seem too basic to actually work, but ceiling fans increase airflow and encourage evaporation of moisture in the air. Bonus: they help keep rooms cooler by circulating conditioned air more effectively.
2. Limit the length of showers. Though your housemates may grumble, this small step goes a long way toward reducing the amount of moisture introduced into the air from inside, allowing fans and your HVAC system to focus on eliminating the humidity creeping in from outdoors.
3. Ventilate areas of the home that trap moisture. These include the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry. Run exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, and consider leaving a window cracked to help ventilate the laundry room when you’re running the dryer.
4. Consider relocating houseplants outdoors when humidity is especially high. Though houseplants offer many benefits to indoor air quality, they can significantly increase humidity.

HVAC Solutions to Decrease Humidity in the Home

While the simple steps above can go a long way toward decreasing overall indoor humidity and making your home more comfortable, if the problem is recurring and posing issues for your family’s health and comfort, it may be a good idea to invest in a dehumidifier.

A dehumidifier is an appliance that removes moisture from the air. It is an excellent option for those dealing with mold or mildew issues, or for individuals with allergies. Dehumidifiers run quietly and are easy to maintain, requiring only emptying of a water basin that fills as water vapor is removed from the air. Some newer models are even self-emptying. You can find a variety of dehumidifiers on the market, from small units intended to operate in just one room to whole-house units that address larger problems with humidity.

Taking action to decrease the amount of humidity in your home will increase your family’s comfort, for sure. But it will also improve indoor air quality, and along with it, your family’s health.