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“It isn’t the heat, it’s the humidity” is an old saying for why hot, muggy summer days in central Ohio can be so oppressive. Not only do humid days in Columbus, Ohio make you miserable, they also drive up the cost of air conditioning. Knowing how to lower the humidity in your home in the summer can make things a lot more comfortable and save on your electric bill as well. Here are a few simple ways to reduce the humidity in your home.
Get Rid of the Moist Air from a Hot Shower
Your air conditioner and/or dehumidifier work all night to cool the air in your home and remove moisture. Then you steam up the bathroom with your morning shower! Just opening a bathroom window will help get rid of some of that moist air. If your bathroom has an exhaust fan, be sure to run it during the shower and a little longer to remove any leftover moisture. If you don’t have an exhaust fan, consider adding one. You’ll save on the electric bill, and more importantly, make your air conditioner work easier over the long run.
Be Aware of How Often You Wash Clothes or Hang Them to Dry in Your Home
Another common, but overlooked, source of humidity in your home is washing clothes. This is especially true if your dryer does not vent to the outside or if you routinely wash with hot water. And, hanging damp clothes out to dry in your home means all of that moisture goes into the inside air. If it is a hot and humid central Ohio day, hang clothes on an outside line if you can and, if they are still a bit damp, run the dryer on low heat for a few minutes to finish the job.
Vent Moisture from Cooking
If you have a kitchen exhaust fan, or a range hood, use it while boiling things on the stove. Better yet, go with salads, sandwiches, and lemonade on a hot, muggy day in Columbus, Ohio. Some range hoods may only filter the grease out of the air and push the rest of the air back into the house. Consider adding an outside exhaust to your range hood to improve your home’s moisture level.
Let Your House Plants Live Outside in the Summer
When you water your house plants, much of that water ends up in the air in your home. Either it simply evaporates or it gets recycled through the plants. Either way, your plants will love the outdoor light and thrive in nature while not adding to your indoor humidity.
Check Your Downspouts and Redirect Them Away from Your Foundation
Basement humidity may go up when you have too much moisture around your home. Directing downspouts at least five feet from the foundation is a good rule of thumb. And while you are at it, make sure your outside faucets are not dripping water. If they are, first repair the drip, then install a splash block to keep water from running back toward your foundation.
Get Your Air Conditioning System Checked before Summer Arrives
A well-maintained air conditioning system removes moisture from your home air as well as providing cool and refreshing air. Dor-Mar is your Columbus, Ohio HVAC service, and our certified AC technicians will make certain that your refrigerant level is correct, the filters are clean, air ducts are not blocked, your drain pipes and drip plans are not collecting water, and that your AC system functions efficiently and economically through a hot and humid central Ohio summer.
