National Indoor Environmental Testing

4 Easy Ways to Control the Humidity Level in Your Home – Tips for Home Mold Control

If you’re reading this article, then you’re probably familiar with the consequences of living in a humid home. Humid air can be a nuisance in many ways. The human body cannot release heat as efficiently in humid air, which leads to sweating. Hair frizz is another common peeve related to high humidity.

In addition to causing discomfort, humidity can cost you thousands by damaging your furniture and hardwood floors, setting the foundation for mold growth, and contributing to medical complications for your family. The bottom line: Most homeowners could save money by controlling the humidity levels in their homes.

Let’s take a look at four proven ways to reduce the humidity level of indoor air:

1. Purchase a Home Humidity Control Kit

If you need to lower your indoor humidity levels for home mold control, then a dehumidifier is a smart investment. Most dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air through controlled condensation. Depending on the dehumidifier’s design, the moisture usually drips into a tray, which would then be emptied by you or automatically drained.

A home humidity control kit is by far the most effective way to reduce the humidity of your indoor air. It offers a long-term solution and is relatively self-sufficient. If you purchase a unit with a humidistat and automatic drainage, the dehumidifier will turn off automatically once the desired humidity level has been reached, and you won’t have to worry about draining the water tray.

You can browse through our handpicked home mold control kits here.

2. Install Vents in Humid Rooms 

Critical Cactus advises homeowners to install vents or exhaust fans in rooms that are prone to humidity. Examples include the kitchen, the laundry room, and bathrooms. At the very least, try to crack a window after cooking or taking a shower.

3. Limit the Number of Plants in Your Home

This might sound counterintuitive because plants are believed to improve air quality, but moisture is a byproduct of that process. If there are a lot of plants concentrated in one room, then that area will be prone to high humidity levels.

4. Avoid Long, Hot Showers

The steam of a hot shower can significantly increase the moisture levels in your home – especially if your bathroom is not well ventilated. Try to close the showerhead slightly or take a colder shower.

The best way to reduce the humidity in your home is to take a multi-pronged approach by using several or all four of these strategies. If your home has recently had a mold outbreak or if you need immediate humidity reduction, then there’s no substitute for a dehumidifier. You can browse through our hand-selected home humidity control kits here.