If your home's air feels thick and you can smell a musty odor, you may have excess humidity in your home. If left unchecked, the excess moisture can cause mold growth, wood rot, and blistering or peeling of paint. So how can you reduce your home's humidity levels? Here are some natural solutions you can use:
Ventilate
Ventilation increases airflow and helps lower humidity levels. Install fans that duct to the outside in your bathroom and kitchen. If you already have vent fans, ensure you switch them on and leave them running longer.
Reduce Shower Time
Long showers can result in a buildup of moisture in your bathroom as well as the surrounding rooms. Taking shorter showers can help lower the moisture buildup in your home. You should also consider installing a low-flow showerhead.
Use Calcium Chloride or Kitty Litter
Placing bowls of calcium chloride or kitty litter around your home can help reduce humidity by absorbing some moisture from the air. Make sure you replace them every few weeks.
Reduce Houseplants
While a few houseplants can make your home healthier, too many of them can increase the moisture levels. Reduce the moisture these plants add to your indoor air by moving some of them outside. You can also cover the soil around the plants to prevent its moisture from escaping into your home's air.
Make Repairs
Inspect the exterior of your house for defects. Water leaks may contribute to high humidity levels. Fix any loose roof shingles and flashings and keep the gutters clear. Waterproof concrete basement walls. Seal around the areas where your walls meet the ceiling and flooring.
By taking these steps to lower humidity levels, you'll feel more comfortable at home and save money too due to reduced energy bills. To learn more about eliminating excess moisture and any other home comfort issues, please contact us at Air Assurance. We've been helping homeowners in the Broken Arrow area with their HVAC and plumbing needs since 1985.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about reducing humidity and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “coyot/Pixabay”