Humidity in Your Home
Owning a home along the coast allows you to enjoy the warm weather and refreshing ocean. However, the dream of owning a beach house can turn into a nightmare if the humidity starts to take a toll on you and your home. High humidity occurs when there is too much moisture in the air from water that is evaporating from the ocean; the level of humidity increases with warm water, which evaporates quickly. Excessive humidity can cause safety concerns with the emergence of mildew, unpleasant smells, mold, fungal growth, and even mites. To prevent problems to both your lungs and your home, follow these tips to decrease humidity levels in your home.
Long-Term Solution: Air Dehumidifier
The most productive way to control humidity is by using an air dehumidifier in the house. Free-standing, portable air dehumidifiers are both convenient and easy to use in the home. Dehumidifiers work to remove water from the air until the humidity is reduced to a more comfortable level. Once the pre-set level is reached, the humidifier will automatically keep it constant. This is done by drawing the air over a cold coil, which captures vapor that condenses into water and collects into a bucket. Typically, the water collection container will need to be emptied twice a day, but this amount could change depending on how much water vapor is in the air. Portable air dehumidifiers often have an option for the collected water to be continuously drained through a hose to eliminate the need for frequent emptying. By using an air dehumidifier in your beach home, you can prevent mold, mildew, and bacteria growth, which can protect your family from high humidity related illnesses. You will also find that your furniture, fabric, and walls will stay protected, your clothes will dry quicker, and your food will remain fresh longer.
Short-Term Solutions
While air dehumidifiers are the best solution for reducing humidity levels, they are expensive. You can temporarily control the humidity level in your home by using some of these quick and inexpensive methods. If the humidity levels are higher inside your home than outside, try creating more ventilation by opening windows and doors to increase dry air circulation. Ventilation helps moist air escape, allowing humidity levels indoors to drop. If humidity levels are higher outdoors instead, keep the doors and windows closed while you turn on the AC. AC units can work similar to dehumidifiers and allow moisture to be removed from the air. An even simpler fix is to dry clothes outdoors and wipe all surfaces dry. Excess moisture from wet clothes and damp kitchen and bathroom counters can evaporate and cause humidity levels in your home to rise. Finally, consider using drying agents of desiccants to absorb moisture. A material that is absorbent in nature is charcoal, which can be reused by drying in the sun. While this method reduces moisture slowly, it is a cheap and environmentally-friendly way to cut back on humidity.
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