Both too much or too little interior home humidity cause their own problems. When the air is too dry, a home humidifier should be used. The goal is to maintain a controlled balance, usually with a humidistat. It's almost a form of life insurance since controlling it benefits those with respiratory ailments, and reduces the growth of toxic mold and mildew spores.
Determine if the Problem is Condensation
If the home has too much interior moisture, there are two general reasons. It will be predominately interior condensation or moisture entering from the exterior of the home.
An easy test to determine which it is is to go to a humid room in the home; the basement is ideal if the home has one. Tape a piece of aluminum foil to the exterior wall and leave it there for a day or two.
Then, if the wall-side of the foil is wet, it's coming from the outside and may be corrected from the outside with methods like repairing rain gutters or installing a French drain to keep the ground dry.
Control Condensation with a Dehumidifier
If interior condensation is the issue, the in-facing side of the foil will be wet. A dehumidifier is the best way to extract excessive moisture from the home. It's also a good way to handle inside environmental conditions with water coming from the exterior after the methods in the previous section have been instituted.
It should be noted that bathrooms should be equipped with bathroom exhaust fans to keep from introducing more moisture
Dehumidifiers are Similar to Air Conditioner Units
They remove moisture without the cooling action that A/C units provide. First, a small fan draws in the wet air. Then the combination of compressor, condenser, and evaporator coil work to remove the water from the air.
This water collects in a drain pan. Either the pan may be emptied when full, or a hose may be installed to route the water outside or into a nearby drain.
Just as an HVAC system uses a thermostat to maintain the constant temperature, these units utilize a humidistat. When the air humidity level reaches a predetermined level, it shuts the unit off automatically.
Choosing Home Dehumidifiers
There are 2 factors to consider when choosing the unit: the area in square feet (not cubic feet) and how moist the interior air is. Once those factors have been determined, choose a unit that is properly rated as to how many pints of water it will extract in a 24-hour period.
For example, consider a typical 2000 square foot home. If the air is wet, the unit should be rated at 32 pints. Very damp? 27 pints will do the trick. If the air is somewhat damp, go for a 22 pint model.
Kelly Smith - Kelly has over 30 years experience as a journeyman carpenter and 20 as a freelance writer and photographer.
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