Humidity and temperature are closely related. There is less moisture in cool air, while warm air is able to hold more moisture. The more moisture there is in the air, the warmer it will feel. This is called the heat index.
During the summer, increasing temperatures mean the air is able to continue to hold more and more moisture the hotter it gets. As moisture is collected, the air begins to feel even hotter, leading to extremely uncomfortable conditions like the swampy weather seen in humid climates like Georgia and Florida.
Although New England summers might not be as humid, climate change is rapidly trying to make sure that is not longer the case. Here are some ways you can decrease the humidity in your home for a cooler, more comfortable summer and early fall.
Open the Windows
If the humidity outside your home is lower than it is inside, you can open your windows to exchange the air and get immediate relief from a sticky, humid house. Be careful though, because if the humidity outside your home is higher than it is inside, you don’t want to add to it by opening the windows.
Run Your Air Conditioner
Did you know that your AC does more than just cool your home? It also dehumidifies your air. By cooling the air down in your home, it can’t hold as much moisture. This results in air that feels lighter, and less thick or “soupy,” even if the temperature itself doesn’t change much.
If you have a ductless HVAC system, running your AC will cool, filter, and dehumidify your home air all in one. If your home is constantly too warm or too humid, this could be an indicator that your system is no longer efficient or has reached the end of its lifecycle. In this case, you may want to consider upgrading your central HVAC system to ductless heating and cooling or investing in a new system entirely.
Plug In a Dehumidifier
If it’s humid in your home and too humid outside to open the windows, consider investing in a dehumidifier. While these tend to be a little more expensive than humidifiers that put additional moisture into the air, they can be run anywhere to pull moisture out.
Many people use them in basements where flooding or leaks can cause damp, mildewy air. They can also be used in medical and technical applications where areas like clean rooms and surgical suites need to be kept at a specific humidity level.
A dehumidifier is about the same size and shape as an old-style radiator and can be moved from room to room as needed to reduce humidity. Many new models also offer air filtering capabilities, helping you to achieve cleaner and healthier home air too.
Keep From Putting Additional Heat & Moisture In the Air
If at all possible, you should try to keep from putting more heat and moisture into the air while you are struggling to bring the humidity down. Things like hot showers and dryers add heat and moisture, while ovens add no moisture but do increase the temperature in your home substantially.
Here are some things you can do when your home is feeling too humid to avoid exacerbating the situation:
- Take cool showers.
- Use the microwave instead of the oven to prepare meals.
- Use ceiling fans or stand fans to improve airflow around your home.
- Wash your clothes at a laundromat or dry them on a line outside instead of using a clothes dryer.
- Keep plants that can tolerate the weather outdoors or water them outside and let them drain well before bringing them back inside.
Try to do anything you can feasibly do to avoid pumping additional heat into the air when you’re having difficulty with excess indoor humidity. This not only helps you to feel more comfortable inside but also prevents your dehumidifier and air conditioner from working harder than it has to.
Call New England Ductless Today
At New England Ductless, we take your home comfort and the quality of your indoor air seriously. We’re committed to providing comprehensive ductless HVAC and other heating and cooling services to residents along the East coast and can help you get reliable and comfortable heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer.
Call us today for a quote by dialing (617) 915-2803 or book online. Our experienced team of HVAC professionals are available now to answer your questions.