If your home has a constantly high humidity level, you should take action to regulate it. Humidity and indoor airborne pollution go hand in hand. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a relative humidity level of less than 60%. When airborne moisture levels creep above this limit, it can lead to mold growth.
Run the AC
Running your air conditioning system will lower your home’s humidity level. Condensation is a byproduct of air conditioning. When running your air conditioning system, warm air will flow over the evaporator coil. The refrigerant within the evaporator coil will absorb heat from this air, thereby creating condensation.
Your air conditioning system will dehumidify your home by pulling moisture out of the air and creating condensation. As long as you’re your air conditioning system, it will perform this dehumidification process.
Check the Condensate Drain
If you’re hoping to dehumidify your home by running your air conditioning system, you should check the condensate drain. The condensate drain is a drainage pipe that runs from the evaporator coil to your home’s exterior. It’s designed to flush condensation. Condensation will build up on the evaporator coil, after which it will drip onto a pan below. This pan contains the condensate drain.
A clogged condensate drain will prevent your air conditioning system from dehumidifying your home. When clogged, condensation will remain trapped. It will continue to build up inside of the pan without draining to your home’s exterior.
Install a Dehumidifier
You can always regulate your home’s humidity level by installing a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are devices that extract moisture vapor from the air. They are known as “dehumidifiers” because their sole purpose is to dehumidify the homes and spaces in which they are used.
There are different types of dehumidifiers. Some of them feature a tank or tray. After they’ve extracted enough moisture vapor from the air, you’ll have to empty the tank or tray. Other dehumidifiers feature or support a pump. The pump is connected to a motor, which automatically flushes the condensation through a drain line.
Seal Your Home
If high humidity is a problem in your home, you may need to seal your home. Poorly sealed homes often suffer from higher humidity than their properly sealed counterparts.
Unsealed door jambs, window frames and other spaces will allow moisture vapor to enter your home. Even if you run your conditioning system or a dehumidifier, it may not be enough to keep the humidity level under 60%. Rather, you’ll need to seal your home.