Natural Ways to Control Your Indoor Humidity
You might be surprised about how many factors can affect your indoor air consistency. It can change if parts of your house are in direct contact with sunlight, if the outside air is cooler than the air inside, how many people you have in your household, or even what you cooked that day.
These factors can make the temperature inside warmer, and warmer air 'holds' moisture, creating humidity. If levels are not properly maintained, your home will not only feel very uncomfortable, but can also cause damage to your home.
1. Ventilate
First and foremost, ventilate. Cooking, showering, and washing clothes all affect the amount of moisture found in the air so it's vital to vent out their host areas - the kitchen, basement and bathroom.
If you do not have exhaust fans or a ventilation system, crack a window for a few minutes to dry the air out, especially in the areas above that tend to hang onto additional moisture for longer periods.
2. Utilize Fans and Dehumidifiers
Along with vents, use fans, dehumidifiers, and your air conditioning system to get the indoor air circulating. Dehumidifiers are commonly placed in basements since they are underground and do not get a lot of warmth or direct sunlight. They are also placed in bathrooms without windows, or specific areas in the home that require moist removal.
When using a dehumidifier, make sure you keep all the windows and doors closed. This ensures proper circulation.
3. Take Colder, Shorter Showers
Showers are a huge contributor to moisture found in indoor air, especially when family members are taking extended, hot showers.
You can easily reduce the humidity of your home by being mindful of the indoor temperature, reducing the time of showers, and using an energy efficient (low flow) showerhead.
4. Cooking Habits
There's typically a vent near the stove section of your kitchen. Take advantage of it as you cook, especially when you're boiling water. Try to cover your food as it's cooking and use a slow cooker if you have the option (as they contribute less to indoor humidity than ovens and stove-tops.)
5. Plants
Purify your indoor air quality with house plants. Plants release moisture vapor into the air, so when you have lots of plants, they can cause a significant increase in humidity levels. Be sure not to overwater them and if necessary, temporarily move
Also, be sure to schedule a service with us to make sure that you are getting your Killingsworth!