The quality of your home’s air can have significant effectson you and your property. High levels of indoor humidity cantrigger health issues and compromise the structure of your home.
Knowing when humidity levels are too high, and taking the steps to reduce it,will help you avoid the negative effects of this common problem.
Following are the factors to consider when addressing high indoor humidity:
- Level of humidity
- Sources of moisture
- Signs of excess indoor humidity
- Easy and effective solutions
How Much Humidity is Too Much?
Fortunately, there are ways of knowing when humidity has reached high levels in your home.Foggy windows and buildup of moisture on ceilings or walls are key indicators. This moisture, as well as the mold than develops as a result, lets you know it’s time to take steps to reduce indoor moisture levels.
Digital hygrometers provide an easy way to measure and maintain indoor humidity.
Hygrometers measure moisture in the atmosphere. It’s recommended that moisture should be kept at an average relative humidity of 30% and 50%. Anything beyond this range begins to encourage bacterial growth.
Sources of Indoor Humidity
Reducing the humidity levels in your home requires you to look at a variety of sources. While some aren’t so obvious, others can easily be observed and adjusted easily.
The more people living in your home, the more likely it is that humidity levels are too high. Breathing humans produce about ¼ cup of water per hour. This hidden moisture adds to the overall indoor humidity.
Humidity increases with everyday activities such as cooking and bathing. The moisture released from cooking raises humidity significantly if there’s no ventilation. Similarly, moisture is released into the air when you bathe.
Dishwashing machines can be a major source of increased air moisture when drying. If you hang clothes to dry after washing, you might be accidentally contributing to high humidity levels inside your home.
More obvious sources of humidity include the outside humidity level. This will vary depending on where you live. Underground spaces such as a basement will have a higher level of moisture in the air.
The Effects of High Indoor Humidity
High indoor moisture leads to a variety of problems ranging from health issues to property damage. Make sure that youregulate the humidity level in your home on a regular basis to prevent these issues.
Increased sneezing and coughing are familiar signs of high humidity in the home. For many, an increased level of itching can also occur. Allergic reactions become more severe as organisms that thrive in humidity take over.
Mold and dust mites increase as the moisture levels go up. These are severe allergens that can lead to asthma and other breathing issues.
But the health of your home is also at stake. Humidity can lead to rotting in the materials of your property. When moisture builds up inside walls, rotting that isn’t visible from the outside can grow. Unwanted pests are also attracted to water, adding yet another threat to your home.
What You Can Do About It
You can reduce your humidity and its impact with some simple steps. Knowing the sources of humidity and how to assess it is a huge first step in making the necessary changes.
A fresh air intake duct is a good first step in your approach. By allowing outside air to enter your home, you’ll dramatically reduce the indoor humidity level.
Air-to-air heat exchangers are ideal for homes that are well insulated. By transferring heat from exhausted air to the outside, exchangers help ventilate your air more efficiently. These are installed in walls and windows and can also be part of your central air conditioning system.
When cooking, make sure your pans remain covered and use a stove vent hood. Avoid traditional hoods and opt for a higher-grade one that pulls moisture from your kitchen to the outside air.
Useexhaust fans when bathing to help reduce the moisture indoors. If you don’t have one available, open a window instead to allow for more ventilation.
Plants are a major source of indoor humidity. If you have high levels of moisture in your home, consider reducing the amount of indoor plants. This helps regulate the quality of the air indoors.
Humidity can be problematic if left unaddressed. Significant health problems can arise, and your home’s health can also suffer. Understanding the sources of humidity inside your home can help you become more aware of how to control it. By measuring your humidity regularly, and taking a few simple steps, you’ll maintain a healthyhome for you and your family.
Featured images:
- License: Image author owned
Lavonne Wafford is an ardent writer and a home improvement freak. She loves to write about all the topics that come in her mind. Being a research student in interior designing, she tries to find the modern and artistic opportunities to beautify residential as well as commercial properties. There still more to learn about the right selection of decor comprising residential windows and doors. Visit Clera Windows for more insightful information.
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar