Steps to Dehumidify Your Florida Home

No one wants to spend their summer days or nights inside a stuffy, humid home. Not only does a high humidity level impact your comfort, but it can cause damage to your Broward County, FL, property too! 

Homeowners across Florida deal with some of the worst humidity in the country. However, there are some steps you can take to make your home more comfortable. 

What Causes Florida to Be Humid? 

To keep it simple, humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. When water heats, H2O molecules escape into the air and form water vapor. Eventually, the water vapor content will become too high, and you experience the clammy, uncomfortable feeling we call humidity. 

Florida is surrounded by water and has plenty of sunny days. Water from the ocean is heated and evaporates into the atmosphere. That’s why there is such a high level of humidity in the Sunshine State. But what does that mean inside our homes?  

If the outdoor humidity isn’t annoying enough, it can creep inside and wreak havoc on the indoor air quality. High humidity can lead to bacteria, mold, and mildew sitting inside your air ducts. Eventually, this gets circulated throughout your home and can cause respiratory issues for you and your family. 

What Is the Ideal Humidity Range? 

Experts recommend that indoor humidity levels remain near 30 to 50%. Excessive moisture can create that uncomfortable feeling we all know. But too little humidity can irritate allergies and asthma. Keeping the level at 30 to 50% creates the perfect balance to keep your home safe and comfortable.  

How to Lower Humidity in Houses 

Although you can’t beat the heat or humid days completely, there are ways you can cope. By the end of this article, you’ll know how to lower humidity in your house. You’re likely already doing some of these if you’ve lived in Broward County for a while. If not, welcome! Hopefully, you’ll find these tips helpful! 

Avoid Long, Hot Showers 

Everyone knows that a long, hot shower after a hard day is extremely relaxing. It also adds moisture to the air, contributing to the humid environment and condensation within your home. Steamy showers drive up your energy bills, too! 

Another thing to consider is wet or moist towels. Leaving them lying around can attract bugs and increase the amount of humidity. Try hanging wet towels, rags, or clothes to help decrease the water vapor. You can also squeegee shower walls to reduce the amount of water that can contribute to stickiness. 

Increase Ventilation and Use Ceiling Fans 

Circulating and ventilating the air is crucial in the fight against a humid home. Consider installing ceiling fans in every room or use floor or window units to maximize circulation of the air your HVAC system has cooled. 

You don’t need to run every fan 24 hours a day, but rotating their use will help keep the air from getting stale and improve your indoor air quality. 

Use any ventilation systems that have been installed in the bathroom or kitchen of your home. This helps prevent moisture from becoming trapped. Ensure your washer and dryer are properly ventilated, too. 

Install exhaust fans, if necessary, and run them when you do laundry. Inspect the dryer vent for any leaks and make sure it is properly fitted to the back of the dryer and corresponding wall. 

Decrease the Use of Hot Appliances 

Ovens and dryers make our lives easier. But they are huge contributors to humidity! Cooking with your oven and running your clothes dryer adds to the humid conditions in your home. 

Try to reduce their use during the warmer months by making foods that don’t need to be cooked, like salads. Run a line outside your home to dry your clothes. Both of these actions will also help you save on utility bills! 

Adjust AC Settings 

Many air conditioners are equipped with a dry setting to help eliminate excess moisture and decrease the humidity. If your AC has this setting, you’re in luck! Try using this setting and see if it helps dehumidify your home. 

Change the AC Filter 

The air filter plays an essential role in the function of your air conditioner. If it is dirty or clogged, your AC unit must work harder to produce the same results, or it may not keep your home cool at all. This will add to the humid atmosphere and decrease your indoor air quality. A new, clean air filter will keep the air flowing throughout your home.  

Purchase a Dehumidifier 

The name says it all, and it has one job: to dehumidify your Broward County home. A dehumidifier will help keep your home from feeling like a swamp and increase your indoor air quality. It works quickly and efficiently to lower humidity while providing several benefits, including: 

• Preventing mold and bacteria growth 
• Saving energy 
• Keeping food fresher, longer 
• Preventing mildew from forming on furniture 
• Preventing health problems 

Having a dehumidifier in your Florida home is necessary to prevent many problems. 

Cover Houseplants 

Houseplants not only make low-maintenance pets, but they can create better indoor air quality. However, the exposed soil can also add to the humidity in your home. You can take your plant outside to eliminate this problem, but simply covering the soil will help reduce excess moisture. 

Check for Pipe Leaks 

It may seem insignificant when talking about humidity, but even minor pipe leaks can contribute to high humidity levels in your home. You should have a professional inspect your pipes to ensure they are working as they should. They’ll also be able to make repairs early and prevent more significant problems.  

Keep Windows Closed 

Yes, throwing open those windows will help circulate fresh air, but it can allow humidity to enter your home. This will cause your AC to work harder and increase your utility costs. Instead, crank up a fan to help keep that air moving! 

Seal Drafty Doors and Windows 

Anywhere there is a gap or leak in your home provides an entry for the outside humidity to enter. Check door frames and ensure they have good weatherstripping and caulking. Windows are another culprit that needs to be examined from time to time. Make sure the caulk is still flexible and covers every crack. If not, remove it and replace it. 

Buy Moisture Absorbers 

There are commercially available products that are designed to absorb moisture in any size space. High-capacity moisture absorbers can be used in basements, large bedrooms, or crawlspaces. Smaller containers fit easily underneath bathroom sinks. This is an ideal space because lots of moisture is created in the bathroom. 

Regular AC Maintenance 

Changing your air filters each month helps dehumidify your home, but sometimes you need more help. Regular maintenance visits are beneficial to ensure your entire HVAC system is working efficiently. 

Your AC unit will have a comprehensive inspection and tune-up during a maintenance appointment. Afterward, it should work to keep your home cool and dehumidify properly.  

Experts in Combating Humidity 

Attempting to dehumidify your home can be frustrating. But with help from the HVAC experts at Abraham AC, it just got a little easier. Our team can provide routine AC maintenance and tune-ups to ensure your AC system is working at its best. If you need help changing your air filter or want to upgrade your unit, we got your back! 

Call Abraham AC in Broward County, FL, for your air conditioning needs. Schedule your appointment today and start the fight against humidity right!