Humidity and window condensation can be downright irritating. In some cases, it can even cause rot and mold, damaging your home and risking your health. You want to get control of humidity as soon as possible. Here is what you need to know.
What Causes Interior Condensation
Think about holding an ice cold drink on a hot day—the surface collects moisture. The same thing can happen to your windows. The leading factor is excessive moisture inside the house. Most often, it happens in the winter, when warm air from the furnace condenses against the cold windows. Though not as common, it can occur in summer as well, when you cook on the stove or take a long shower.
How Do You Know if Humidity is too High?
Sometimes you can smell or feel the humidity in the air. But most of the time, you will notice other signs like condensation on the windows, peeling paint, or excessive static electricity. If you still aren’t sure, you can buy a Hygrometer to measure the humidity levels in your home.
How to Get Rid of Condensation and Humidity
These are a few steps you can take to reduce humidity in your home:
Encourage Air Flow
This is the simplest way to get rid of humidity. You can open the windows and use ceiling fans to circulate the air. Even in winter, you want to continue circulating the air. If you run the fans clockwise, they can push warm air off the ceiling so it will not condense against the roof. You also want to be sure your basement, attic, and crawl spaces are well ventilated.
Run Bathroom and Kitchen Fans
Every time you cook or take a shower you release a lot of excess moisture into the air. To counter this, you should use the vents and exhaust fans. These help remove the moist air, pulling it outside before it can move from room to room.
Use Your HVAC System
One way the air conditioner works to cool your home is by reducing indoor humidity. It can regulate the moisture to help you feel more comfortable. An ideal humidity level is usually between 30 and 60 percent.
Install New Windows
You also want to keep moist air out with tight window seals. You might be able to use caulking, plastic film, and weather stripping to help prevent cold drafts and cut down on the furnace running. But if your windows are more than 15 years old, you might consider getting replacements with better insulation and tighter seals.
Check the Pipes
While it might not be the first thing you think about, extra moisture in the air can come from leaky pipes and contribute to indoor humidity. So to be safe, double check your pipes and ensure they are properly insulated.
Improve Basement Drainage
Is your basement feeling more damp and humid? Excess moisture in this part of your home usually means trouble and down there it is even more difficult to get rid of. One thing you can do is check your outdoor drainage. Clear your gutters and extend your downspouts away from the foundation.
Install a Dehumidifier
If you constantly work to control humidity in your home, it might be easier to use a dehumidifier. Homeowners often use them in basements or in older homes that are not well ventilated.
Call EnergyGuard Today
If you think your outdated windows in Lake Oswego, OR are contributing to the humidity in your home, call us at 503-554-5500. We can come and perform an in-home inspection and consultation. Stay informed and find us on the web. Or you can stop by 516 E. 2nd St., Newberg, OR 97132 and ask questions.