In Nashville, you know it's humid when your hair frizzes, your skin feels sticky, and the air feels heavy. But did you know it can also worsen allergies and asthma, peel wallpaper and paint, and cause mold and damage to your home? You don't need anything fancy to check humidity levels—just a thermometer with a hygrometer will do. Aim for 30-50% relative humidity. If it's higher, here are four smart ways to bring it down.
Get a Dehumidifier
This one is pretty straightforward. There are three types of dehumidifiers, each suited to different conditions. Desiccants use moisture-absorbent materials (like those little silica packets you find in electronics packaging) to wick water out of the air. This type of dehumidifier is best for low-temperature spaces, like a damp basement. In warmer temperatures, choose a mechanical dehumidifier that uses a coil or cooling plate, which collects excess moisture in a tank. \Go With the Flow
Another easy way to lower the relative humidity in your home is to increase airflow. Open windows and turn on exhaust fans to create a cross-breeze. Get in the habit of turning exhaust fans on when you do things that generate moisture, such as cooking and showering. Make sure kitchen and bathroom fans vent to the outside.
Tackle the Honey-Do List
There are several home-improvement projects that double as solutions to your humidity problems. If you've been meaning to clean and/or replace your gutters, rip out the carpet in favor of hardwood or tile, provide emergency HVAC repairs or have your doors and windows checked for leaks, do it sooner rather than later. These basic maintenance tasks will help keep your home dry and comfortable year-round.
Written by Guest Author for The Healthy Moms Magazine and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.
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