Understanding the Primary Sources of Humidity in Your Florida Home
In Florida, humidity is a huge factor when it comes to comfort, no matter what time of year it is. While our air conditioning units work hard to eliminate excess humidity in the house, sometimes, it’s not enough.
High humidity levels in your home can cause discomfort, damage your home or belongings, and contribute to health problems. But what causes high humidity in the first place? In this blog post, we’ll explore some common causes of high humidity in homes across the United States.
Poor Ventilation
One of the primary causes of high humidity in a home is poor ventilation. When the air in your home cannot circulate, moisture becomes trapped because it can’t evaporate or get pulled out of the air. Inadequate ventilation can occur when windows are rarely opened, air conditioning systems are insufficient for the home, or your space is too small for air to circulate well.
Fans, properly sized air conditioning systems, and open doors or windows can all help get air moving in the home, preventing stagnant, sticky air.
Hot Showers & Baths
Hot showers and baths can release steam and moisture into the air, pumping water vapor into your bathroom space. This can be particularly problematic in a small bathroom that needs to be well-ventilated. When there is high humidity, the water accumulating on walls and floors can’t evaporate. As a result, mold and mildew will develop over time and cause mold damage and foul odors in your home.
To reduce the humidity released directly after hot baths, consider using a bathroom fan – or even better, don’t leave windows and doors closed after your shower.
Day-to-Day Chores
Tons of daily chores generate heat and water vapor: cleaning rooms or carpets, washing clothes, dishwashing, and more. Cooking and boiling water, in particular, release steam and moisture into the air, contributing to high humidity levels. To reduce humidity levels in your home, consider using a range hood, opening windows while doing chores, or boiling water with a lid on to trap the steam.
Wet clothes and towels are a significant contributor to humidity in the house. Whenever possible, hang wet clothes outside to dry or use a dryer with proper ventilation to remove the moisture from the air. In addition, use a fan or open a window when running your dishwasher – this can also increase home humidity!
Inefficient HVAC System
A well-functioning HVAC system removes excess moisture from the air during the cooling process (then the water goes into the drip pan and outside via the drain pipe). If your HVAC system isn’t running correctly, enough, or efficiently, it won’t pull all that extra humidity from the air. A repair, replacement, or regular maintenance will help – contact your local HVAC pros to get your AC system checked out!
Control Your Humidity, Increase Your Comfort
High humidity levels in your home can cause discomfort and damage. To avoid this problem, consider some factors that can cause high humidity, such as poor ventilation, hot showers, cooking, wet clothes and towels, and a poorly-functioning HVAC system. Addressing these issues and monitoring your home’s humidity levels can create a healthier and more comfortable living environment.
