Signs you need a dehumidifier
Moving into your new home is a very exciting moment in your life and no matter what home plan you have, if you start to notice excessive moisture and ice build-up on your windows in the colder months you need to combat this with a dehumidifier. This excess moisture is known as humidity and it is extremely common in new construction homes.
What is humidity and what causes it?
High levels of humidity can be harmful to you and your family. It can cause health and respiratory problems, especially in young children and the elderly. High humidity can cause mold spores to grow and replicate, creating dangerous health concerns. Humidity is created in your home by taking hot showers, cooking food on your stovetop and in your oven, houseplants with exposed soil and even exhaling air creates excess moisture. Â
New construction homes are so tightly sealed that this excess moisture has nowhere to go. Think of your home as a Ziploc bag. The warm, humid air in your home reacts with the cold, dry air outside, creating moisture which is most noticeable on your windows. What you donât see is the moisture that could be forming behind your drywall or in your attic.
How do I control high humidity?
The easiest and most efficient way to control high levels of humidity in your home is with a dehumidifier. You should have at least one dehumidifier in your home, but Thomsen Homes recommends having one on every level. The best area to place a dehumidifier is by your kitchen or bathroom because you can empty the bucket easier as well as stop the moisture at the source.
There are several different types and sizes of dehumidifiers. The most common sizes are 30, 50, and 70 pint dehumidifiers. The size refers to how many pints of moisture the unit can pull from the air in a single day. A 30-pint dehumidifier is more efficient in a smaller space whereas a 70-pint dehumidifier works better for a larger space. Dehumidifiers either have a bucket that water drips into, a hose attachment or both. Both types of dehumidifiers are efficient and what type you choose is a personal preference.
In addition to a dehumidifier, there are several other ways that you can control humidity levels in your home:
- Use a kitchen fan while cooking; however, the fan needs to be vented outdoors
- Run the exhaust fan while showering, leave the fan on for at least 20 minutes after showering
- Do not hang wet clothes to dry inside your home during winter
- Leave drapes and pull blinds open to allow proper circulation
- When weather permits, open windows to circulate air through your home
- Close vents in rooms that are not in use
Watch for more homeowner tips on the Thomsen Homes blog page.
*The above information can be found in your Thomsen Homes Homeowner Maintenance Manual.
