As the seasons change in the Auburn, Alabama, area, you may notice that the humidity levels change a bit as well. During the winter months, the air outside may not feel as humid as it does during the heat of summer, but the percentages typically stay between about 40 and 90 percent throughout the year. That means that you’ll be dealing with humidity on a regular basis if you live in the area.
Watch for Indoor Humidity
When it’s humid outside, you’ll find the moisture levels within your home tend to rise as well. While outdoor humidity is unavoidable, keeping the inside levels lower is important to protect your indoor air quality. Excessive amounts of moisture can lead to the growth of mildew and mold, both of which can be harmful to your health. As warm air comes into contact with a colder surface, droplets of moisture form, so you’ll often notice increased humidity when you cook, wash dishes, take a shower, run the air conditioner, or dry your clothing.
Eliminate Problems with Excess Moisture
It might not seem like a big deal to have higher levels of indoor humidity, but the moisture typically encourages the growth of mildew and mold. If you or anyone in your home suffers from allergies to mold, you could experience breathing problems, congestion, headaches, and/or sore throats when you’re in the house. It’s hard to know if you have mold growth since it stays in dark, undisturbed places like the walls and ceiling and beneath the flooring.
Use Fans and Hoods
When you take a shower or bath, keep the exhaust fan in the bathroom running to cut down on excess moisture that forms in the air. The exhaust hood in the kitchen is also helpful, especially if something on the stove is simmering or boiling for an extended period. The steam that comes from pots and pans during the cooking process can put a lot of extra moisture into the air, so use lids to keep it inside. Clean the fans and hood in your home regularly to make sure that each unit can function properly. You can use a vacuum on the bathroom fans to suck out any dirt, dust, or lint that gets stuck in the covers, and wipe the kitchen hood to clean away grease.
Allow for Better Airflow
When the air can circulate within the home, it’s less likely that humidity levels will get out of control. Keep doors and windows open if possible to encourage air circulation, and run fans to move the air throughout the space. You can also replace any outdated windows with double- or even triple-pane options since these will keep moisture out more effectively.
Invest in a Dehumidifier
If you’ve tried these simple tips and still can’t get the humidity levels down in your Auburn home, give our team a call at Indoor Solutions Inc. We offer installation and maintenance of dehumidifiers for customers in the area. A dehumidifier works by drawing high levels of moisture from the air within your home, providing relief from excess humidity and allowing you to more effectively keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
The dehumidifier has a permanent filter that keeps dust particles from recirculating into the air you breathe. A dehumidifier also helps improve indoor air quality and includes a five-year limited warranty on the parts. It also comes with an optional wall-mounted control for easier access and operates quietly and efficiently, often helping to cut your cooling bills.
Keeping the humidity levels in your home under control is a very important part of home ownership since too much moisture can lead to more serious problems like mold and mildew growth. If you’re struggling to maintain comfortable levels of humidity, give us a call at Indoor Solutions Inc. at 706-225-8241 for a free estimate.
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