How Do You Control Relative Humidity in Your House?

The two most effective ways that you can control the amount of moisture in your house are: 1) by reducing the moisture sources and 2) through ventilation. You can control how your house is ventilated by opening and closing windows, using kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans, and by operating your heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or continuous fan correctly.

The following steps can be taken to control relative humidity in your house:

1. Reduce moisture sources.

2. Operate your bathroom exhaust fan during baths and showers and for an additional 30 minutes or longer after bathing or showering to remove moisture from the room.

3. Operate the kitchen exhaust fan when you are cooking.

4. In the winter, if condensation or frost forms on your windows, the moisture levels are too high and you should reduce your humidity levels. Your HRV is a source of dehumidification. If your hardwood floors start to separate, the moisture levels are too low and you should turn up your humidistat slightly. You will need to regularly adjust the humidistat setting to properly control the humidity in your house due to outdoor temperature changes. You should also reduce excess moisture sources in your house.

5. In the summer, if your hardwood floors show cupping or buckling, the humidity is too high and you should close windows and use a dehumidifier or air conditioner. You should also check for water leaks.

6. Use a dehumidifier and/or air conditioner to dry out damp areas of your house, like basements.

7. Be sure that the humidifier is not operating when the air conditioner is on.

RELATED LINKS AND FILES

Home Moisture.pdf (Acrobat - 487K)

Indoor Ventilation.pdf (Acrobat - 198K)