Home Humidity

Older homes are prone to poor sealing, insufficient insulation which can lead to a decrease in the home's moisture. Newer homes, especially those energy star (R) rated are sealed very tightly, which can cause an excess of moisture in the home. The important thing to remember here is that too much moisture and your home is prone to mold and staining. Too little moisture in the air, and paint may crack and allergies flare up. Neither one of these extremes is good for the home - or the occupants. The trick is regardless of the age of your home, to keep the humidity levels at the optimum point. Source article: Associated Press. "Wrong Humidity Turns Your Home into a Hassle." USA TODAY. Posted 2/1/04. http://www.usatoday.com/weather/resources/basics/2004-02-01-home-humidity_x.htm. last access 6/4/09. What to do about too much (or too little moisture)? There are several options to help your home stay at the right moisture level. Depending on how bad the problem is, it may be as simple as buying a room humidifier. For those looking to make their whole home more comfortable, it may be installing a whole house humidifier or simply installing a new air system (newer air conditioners and heaters have built in humidity control options). During the winter, make sure that windows and doors are sealed (weather striping options are cheap at local hardware stores). This will help eliminate the air from the outside that is getting in and removing moisture from the air. During the summer make sure that you avoid activities that produce extra moisture at the peak of the day. This means cooking, taking showers or doing laundry in the cooler hours (of the morning or evening). If you can, try taking cooler showers. Humidity is the moisture in the air. For most people, this is the 'hot' during the summer that is so unbearable. For your home to stay comfortable, make sure you have humidity levels under control.