How High Humidity Affects Your Home 

Maintaining a comfortable internal environment in your home is a matter of balancing humidity. Too much humidity can wreak havoc on your home and cause several issues that are expensive to repair. With that in mind, the team from Barber Heating & Air is here to discuss how high humidity affects your home and what you can do about it. 

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The Effects of Humidity on Your Home

Below are some of the most pertinent ways that high humidity can affect your house and indoor air quality.

Higher AC Usage

Humidity traps heat, so a home with high humidity feels hotter. As such, many end up running their air conditioning harder to balance out the temperature. The end result is that your AC bills can start to skyrocket. The ideal humidity level for optimal AC usage is between 30% and 50% relative humidity. 

Wood Rot & Rust

High moisture content poses a threat to wood, such as furniture and window frames. Untreated wood readily absorbs moisture, which can cause it to sell and rot. Dark, enclosed spaces such as basements or crawl spaces are more prone to developing wood rot. Metal fixtures and structures can weaken and rust from excessive moisture. 

Mold & Mildew

High humidity also creates conditions for mold and algae. Mold can start to grow in your vents and on your walls, creating black or green splotches. Mildew can also start to form in moisture that gets trapped in dirty air filters. Mold poses a major safety hazard, so it’s crucial to identify and quickly remove any mold deposits. 

System Strain

Humidity reduces your system’s effectiveness, so it has to work harder to get the same performance. The increased system strain can drastically increase the risk of malfunctions and breakdowns. 

How to Reduce Humidity in Your Home

Below are some tips from our experts to help control humidity levels in your home. 

• Consider installing a dehumidifier in your home to combat high moisture levels. A dehumidifier can also reduce respiratory aggravation from excess humidity and increase comfort levels. 
• Change your air filters more frequently. If you have high humidity levels, try to change them once every two to three months. 
• If need be, replace your insulation. Old insulation can have holes and thin spots that let moisture into your home from the outdoors.
• You can also set up an extra ventilation fan in areas that are prone to moisture buildup, such as basements or crawl spaces.  
• Double-check your pipes and drains for any leaks. Sometimes, the moisture in your home comes from your plumbing system. 
• If you have concrete underneath your carpets, installing a vapor layer between the two can help prevent moisture absorption. 

Your Trusted North Carolina Heating & Cooling Contractors

We have been providing award-winning heating & cooling services in North Carolina for over 35 years. If you have any more questions about how high humidity affects your home, contact Barber Heating & Air online or give us a call today at (336) 226-6959!