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How to Lower Humidity in a Florida Home

A humidity reader

In Florida, we are very well-acquainted with humidity. But you probably would prefer to keep it outside rather than inside your home. In addition to being uncomfortable, high indoor humidity can lead to mold and mildew issues, health problems, insect infestation, and damage to your furniture and appliances. It can even increase your cooling costs.

If the humidity level inside your home is too high and becoming uncomfortable, you might be wondering how to lower it. Well, the pros at Climate Design can help. We’ll address the following questions in this article to help you identify the problem and find a solution that works:

  • What causes humidity inside your home?
  • What is the ideal indoor humidity level for your Florida home?
  • How to lower the humidity inside your house

First, let’s start by looking at what causes high indoor humidity.

Want individualized air quality recommendations on how to lower the humidity level in your house? Contact Climate Design today. Our air quality experts will offer their professional recommendations and a free upfront estimate for insulation installations.

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What causes humidity inside your home?

Florida homes are prone to high indoor humidity due to the typical climate of the area. However, there are a few other things that can increase the humidity level inside your home, such as:

  • Poor ventilation: Accidentally blocking supply and return vents can reduce ventilation inside your home and increase humidity. To keep humidity levels low, make sure furniture and other objects are not blocking the vents. Another tip is to regularly use the ventilation fans in your kitchen and bathrooms or have them repaired if they are not working properly.
  • Improperly sized AC system: Air conditioning systems both cool and dehumidify your home. If your air conditioner is too large, it will run and shut off frequently (also known as short-cycling), which doesn’t give the system the time it needs to dehumidify the space properly.
  • Not keeping up with regular AC maintenance: The evaporator coil inside your AC helps to dehumidify your home. If you forget to schedule regular maintenance tune-ups for your AC, the evaporator coil could get covered in dust. As a result, it won’t be as effective at removing moisture, and your home will become more humid.

What is the ideal indoor humidity level for your Florida home?

On average, Florida homes should maintain indoor humidity levels between 45% and 55%. Going above 55% could cause problems like mold and mildew, insect infestations, and health problems.

Although an indoor humidity level of 55% may seem high, it’s important to remember that outdoor humidity levels can sometimes be as high as 90% in Florida, which explains why high indoor humidity is a common problem here!

If you think the humidity level in your home might be too high, you can find out with a hygrometer, a handheld instrument that measures humidity in the air. You can purchase one for as little as $10 from your local hardware store, Amazon or Target.

How to lower the humidity inside your house

If you’re wondering how to lower the humidity in your house, there are several effective ways to do it:

  • Have your AC maintained at least once a year: Your AC works by pulling in warm, humid air from your home, cooling it, and removing moisture from it before pushing it back into your living space. Keeping your AC maintained regularly will keep dirt and debris from building up on essential components like the evaporator coil and ensure everything is working at maximum efficiency. Learn more about the benefits of AC tune-ups in our article, “What’s the Cost of An AC Tune-Up in Florida?”
  • Make sure your AC is the right size for your home: Ask an HVAC technician to inspect your AC unit and provide possible sizing recommendations that may decrease indoor humidity and reduce your cooling costs. For example, if your AC is too large for your home, its cooling cycles will be very brief. Since your AC can only dehumidify your home while it’s running, short cooling cycles won’t give it enough time to reduce your home’s humidity levels effectively. Learn more in our article, “What Size AC Should I Get for My Florida Home?
  • Buy a whole-home or portable dehumidifier: A dehumidifier can work wonders to make your home more comfortable despite living in a hot, humid environment like Florida. A portable dehumidifier can reduce humidity levels in a smaller space (like a single room). In contrast, a whole-home dehumidifier installed in your HVAC system can reduce humidity throughout your entire home. If you go the whole-home route, you’ll need to hire a certified technician to install it. Learn more in our article, “Benefits of a Dehumidifier in Florida.
  • Invest in more insulation: You can also reduce the humidity in your home without a dehumidifier unit. According to the Department of Energy, proper insulation can help control moisture levels and even out the temperature throughout your home. When your home is at a constant, even temperature, it can better eliminate unnecessary moisture and humidity fluctuations, keeping you more comfortable and providing a healthy living environment for your household.

The air quality experts at Climate Design can help you get your indoor humidity levels under control.

Whether you need an AC tune-up, insulation installation, dehumidifier installed, or some personalized recommendations on reducing the humidity in your home, our air quality experts can help. Contact Climate Design today to discover why our customers rave about our quality service, affordable pricing, and flexibility.

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