High indoor humidity is a common problem in many parts of the country, and it can create numerous issues for your home and your comfort. The more humid the air is inside your home, the hotter it will feel. Nonetheless, the far bigger issue is the potential damage that high humidity can cause.
The Effects of Humidity on Your Home
If your home’s humidity level inside is overly high, it can lead to issues with mold and mildew. Attics, basements, and ductwork are especially susceptible to mold growth, and this can create numerous health risks as the mold spores spread throughout the home whenever your heater or air conditioning is running. All that moisture can also soak into your walls, floors, roof and other parts of the home, potentially leading to rot and serious structural damage.
How Air Conditioning Can Help Manage Indoor Humidity
One of your best tools in fighting against high indoor humidity is your air conditioning system. Your AC is meant to remove both excess heat and moisture from inside the home, which is why it is always best to leave your AC running and your windows closed throughout the summer and especially on days with higher humidity. If your home is still overly humid even with the AC running, this is usually a good sign that your system isn’t working properly. If you’re experiencing this issue, a professional HVAC company like Vanguard Service can inspect your AC system and make whatever repairs are necessary to get it working correctly.
Other Ways to Prevent High Indoor Humidity
Although air conditioning can be a huge help in managing your home’s humidity level, it isn’t always enough on its own. For this reason, it is recommended that you take additional steps to manage your humidity. The exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen can be a huge help by venting the moisture and steam created by cooking and bathing out of the home. You should also make sure that your home has sufficient insulation, especially in the attic, as this can also help to reduce humidity issues.
If you frequently have issues with high humidity even in the winter, you may want to consider having a whole-home dehumidifier installed. These systems work alongside your existing HVAC system and can remove much more moisture than your air conditioner ever could on its own.
The ideal humidity level inside your home is around 50%. If your home’s humidity level typically stays much above 55-60%, it is essential that you take steps to prevent high humidity from causing issues for your home or your health.
