How to Maintain Humidity in a Home

Maintaining the right humility in the home is a constant battle of adding moisture and removing it. The building itself needs a dryer environment to prevent mold and fungus from tanking hold and rotting the wood structure. Finding and maintaining the right balance is done with ventilation, mechanical humidification and dehumidification. Using a hygrometer allows you the ability to gauge the humidity levels in the building so you understand how much to add or remove.

Hygrometers
Humidifier
Dehumidifier

Instructions

- 1
  Gauge the humidity level in your home with a hygrometer. Check the level on each floor to get and accurate measurement. It is normally more humid on the lower levels because moisture is heavier than air.
- 2
  Decide if you want to raise or lower the the humidity level based on the hygrometer's readings? A comfortable humidity level is between 40 and 50 percent.
- 3
  Raise the humidity level by running a humidifier. This adds water to the air by drawing in air and blowing it past a transfer medium. You can also add moisture in the air by having a shower, boiling water and watering your plants.
- 4
  Reduce the humidity level in the building by operating a dehumidifier. Install the device in the lower area of the home and set it to 45 percent. When the humidity level exceeds this level, the unit turns on and removes the moisture.
- 5
  Run the home's air conditioning system. The cooling of the air removes moisture through condensation at the evaporator coil.
- 6
  Open windows to provide fresh air from outside to reduce the humidity level. This only works if the outdoor air is dryer than the indoor air.

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