Hot in Here: The Best Humidity Level for Home in Summer Posted on March 29, 2023 As spring gives way to the dog days of summer, the air becomes warmer. Even when indoors, you may feel sticky and humid. While this is normally not a problem outside, humid air can be a problem indoors. Not only is it uncomfortable, it can lead to health problems and even property damage. In this article, we discuss the best humidity level for home in summer. Learn how it can affect your health and home, and how to bring excessive humidity down to safer levels. What is Humidity? First, what is humidity and why is it so important in summer? Indoor humidity is the amount of moisture present in the air indoors. When there is too much humidity, this leads to the sticky muggy feeling we tend to experience in hot weather. Excessive humidity also makes temperatures seem hotter. Indoor humidity is measured in relative humidity, or how much water vapor is present in a compared to the maximum amount possible. RH is always expressed in terms of percentage – a 50% relative humidity means there is 50% moisture present in the indoor air. According to the National Weather Service, the higher the air temperature, the greater the relative humidity present in the air is. As such, indoor humidity tends to rise in the summer, making the hot weather even more uncomfortable. What Should the Humidity Be in My House in the Summer? The best humidity level for home in summer should be between 30% to 50%, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. While other studies suggest the ideal indoor humidity for summer can be 40% to 60%, it is generally agreed that indoor humidity should not go beyond 60%. This chart from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute shows the relative increases in environmental pathogens when the relative humidity goes below or above the 40% to 60% zone: What are the Effects of High Humidity in Summer? When the relative humidity goes beyond 60%, the indoor humidity can be considered too high. Detrimental effects include: Health effects Warm, sticky feeling Increased sweating Difficulty breathing Increased allergy triggers Discomfort for asthma sufferers Physical effects at home Formation of condensation on cold surfaces, windows, and cool areas Musty odor Risk of mold and mildew formation Increased risk of bacterial growth Doors and cabinets expand and become harder to open Wood furniture and paneling can get damaged Expansion risks to wooden supports and beams Increased AC wear as it tries to compensate for the humidity What Homes are at Risk of High Indoor Humidity? Houses in warmer climates Coastal locations Homes with air leaks, where outside air can seep in Improperly sized AC unit How to Get the Best Humidity Level for Home in Summer To ensure your indoor humidity doesn’t exceed the recommended RH level, follow these tips to maintain proper humidity at home in the summer. Use a Dehumidifier A dehumidifier is the most convenient way to reduce excessive moisture in the air. Dehumidifiers are consumer devices designed to capture excess humidity and condense it into water, which can be disposed of or drained. Dehumidifiers are available in freestanding models for servicing individual rooms, all the way up to whole house dehumidifiers that plug into your existing HVAC systems. However, like any household appliance, dehumidifiers require periodic cleaning to ensure that mold doesn’t form in the filters, as well as regular draining so the holding tank doesn’t overflow. Ventilate Proper ventilation can reduce humidity by letting in fresh air and allowing the moisture trapped indoors to disperse outside. Ventilate your house by: Making use of your makeup air system Opening the windows Using the exhaust fan Leaving doors open Using fans to circulate air 3. Use an Air-source Heat Pump An air source heat pump is an AC system that works by transferring heat from the inside of your home to the outside. This also pulls moisture from the indoor air, making it an ideal cooling solution for homes with excessive humidity. 4. Avoid Using Swamp Coolers Evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, pass outdoor air over water-soaked pads and blow them into the home. However, since they use evaporation for cooling, they work best in hot dry climates. The more humid the air, the less efficient an evaporative cooler becomes. 5. Know How to Shower Shower baths are one of the largest contributors to high humidity in summer. Now, we don’t recommend NOT taking a shower, especially during sweat season. But we do advocate taking smarter baths: Reduce the amount of time spent in the shower Take cold baths instead of hot showers to lower the amount of steam generated Use the exhaust fan or leave the window open when showering Air out the bathroom after showering by leaving the shower door and bathroom door open 6. Cook Outside Apart from baths, indoor cooking also generates excess moisture. Here’s how you can counteract its effects: Cook outside. After all, summer is barbecue weather! Keep pots and pans covered to reduce steam Use the range or exhaust fans 7. Reduce Laundry The washer and dryer tend to produce a lot of moisture with each cycle, so follow these tips: Do laundry only when you have a full load instead of partial loads Take advantage of the warm weather by hanging clothes to dry outdoors instead of using the dryer. This also cuts down on summer utility costs. Ensure that your dryer vents outside to minimize steam 8. Move plants outside Plants tend to increase moisture due to watering. Move indoor plants outside or close to the window area Water only during sunlight, so it quickly dries up instead of pooling in the soil Use houseplants that naturally lower humidity, like palms, boston ferns, orchids, reed palm, and English ivy. 9. Cover your Aquarium If you have a fairly large fish tank, you’ll notice that you tend to refill the water faster during the summer. This is because the water tends to evaporate more quickly during hotter weather, which contributes to the indoor humidity. An aquarium cover reduces the evaporation by trapping the water within the tank. Just make sure to leave enough of a gap for air, and supplement it with a bubbler. Recommended Dehumidifiers for Summer Total Home Supply carries a wide range of dehumidifiers from trusted brands. Here’s our top picks to make sure you have a cool and refreshing summer: Budget Portable Dehumidifier Frigidaire FFAD3534W1 35 Pint Dehumidifier – Energy Star – R32 This Energy Star-certified portable dehumidifier can remove up to 35 pints of moisture per day. It has a tank capacity of 16.9 pints and boasts a custom humidity control that lets you decide the amount of humidity, from 35% to 85%. Features include a full tank alert system that automatically shuts off the unit to prevent overflow; continuous drain option to make maintenance even simpler; and Low temperature operation that allows it to handle temperatures as low as 41°F. This model meets the requirements for use in California or Washington. Price: $275.00 Frigidaire FFAD3534W1 35 Pint Dehumidifier - Energy Star - R32 Excess moisture in the air creates mold, mildew and bacteria and often causing health issues. The Frigidaire FFAD3534W1 portable dehumidifier is an Energy Sta... View Product Premium Portable Dehumidifier Friedrich D50B1B 50 Pint Portable Dehumidifier with Pump – Energy Star – R32 This dehumidifier is perfect for larger wet to very wet spaces from 1000 – 2000 sq. ft., being able to remove up to 50 pints of moisture from the air per day. The unit offers three drainage options. It includes a removable 16 pint collection bucket with handle for manual emptying, but can also be set up for continuous drainage. Additionally, this model also comes with a drain pump that allows for vertical or horizontal pumping up to 15 ft. from the unit. You can set the humidity level from 30% – 90% RH. It also includes a 2-speed fan, 24 hour ON/OFF timer, auto defrost and will operate in low ambient temperatures down to 41°F. This updated version uses R32 refrigerant, allowing it to meet the latest EPA standards. It meets the requirements for use in California or Washington. Price: $469.00 Friedrich D50B1B 50 Pint Portable Dehumidifier with Pump - Energy Star - R32 ... View Product Crawlspace Dehumidifier Seaira WatchDog NXT85C 85 Pints Per Day Crawl Space Dehumidifier with Integrated Condensate Pump Small enough to fit in almost any crawl space, the WatchDog NXT85C is one of the most compact dehumidifiers you can find. But don’t let its size fool you. The WatchDog NXT85C has an integrated condensate pump with 15 foot lift and is rated to dehumidify up to 15,000 cubic feet of space and produces 185 CFM airflow. This compact dehumidifier can operate in a wide range of temperatures from 33°F – 105°F. It also offers a wide range of Operating Relative Humidity Levels from 36% – 90%. It has a rated Condensate Capacity of 85 pints per day (at 80°F and 60% RH). It features an easy to use, digital touch pad to set your desired humidity level and auto defrost. The WatchDog NXT85C is specifically designed for crawl spaces. With the integrated condensate pump, this unit can pump with its 15 foot pump lift. It includes a 20′ drain connection tube, and can also be ducted with an optional 10″ Duct Collar Kit. Price: $1,300.00 Seaira WatchDog NXT85C 85 Pints Per Day Crawl Space Dehumidifier with Integrated Condensate Pump Small enough to fit in almost any crawl space, the WatchDog NXT85C is one of the most compact dehumidifiers you can find. But don't let its size fool you. The W... View Product Whole House Dehumidifier Aprilaire E080 80 Pint E-Series Professional Grade-Whole House Dehumidifier – Energy Star Aprilaire’s E-Series delivers professional grade dehumidification for your entire home. The E080 is an Energy Star Rated dehumidifier that is perfect for use in basements, crawl spaces or as a whole house dehumidifier. It will remove up to 80 pints of moisture per day for spaces up to 4400 sq. ft. – perfect for smaller homes and basements. This model was recognized as the Most Efficient for ENERGY STAR’s 2021 list. It has a Set it and Forget It control that automatically starts dehumidification when humidity above target is sensed. It has duct options for both flex duct or hard pipe, so it can be installed into crawl spaces, attics, or basements for “freestanding” operation. Price: $1,549.00 Aprilaire E080 80 Pint E-Series Professional Grade-Whole House Dehumidifier - Energy Star Good air is essential to a clean, comfortable, and healthy living environment. Aprilaire's E-Series delivers professional grade dehumidification for your entire... View Product Mickey Luongo Mickey is the resident heating and air conditioning expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry.
