How to Reduce Humidity at Home

How to Reduce Humidity at Home

You cannot escape the humidity in Malta. Humidity is a measure of the moisture in the air. It can make you feel colder during the winter months when it’s at its highest. Houses in Malta are designed to keep your rooms cooler. The summer months last longer so property tends to be poorly insulated. Whereas, in winter your home may feel even colder due to higher levels of humidity. We’ve all had those days when we’ve had to wrap up with extra jumpers and blankets at home. Humidity is synonymous all year round, however. Humidity also tends to cause other problems, such as mould and condensation. High levels of moisture aren’t necessarily bad for us, but too much humidity can have health implications. It’s not just older properties that tend to suffer. However, there are many ways you can help reduce your humidity levels at home. These range from simple methods to measures that require more investment.   

 

Test the humidity levels at home 

 

You can usually tell if your home is humid. First of all, you’ll feel a chill that will get inside your bones. Winters in Malta aren’t that pleasant. However, there are other signs you should look out for that can cause damage to your home, including mould. You can see and smell the signs of mould. It’s best to tackle mould as soon as you see it because it can cause havoc to your home if not treated early. It could eventually lead to structural damage if not managed correctly. It could also cause serious health implications in rare cases. The best news is that it can easily be treated with a few simple measures.

 

Keep the windows ajar 

 

This may sound like a simple method, but it’ll do your home a whole lot of good. Keeping your windows open will allow moisture to escape. Whereas, keeping your windows closed all the time will only trap more moisture into your home. Besides, it will help to eliminate condensation build-up on your windows. This is especially important in the kitchen and bathroom where steam can rise. Steam will help to increase humidity levels in your home. It’s important to provide a way of escape. This method will not cost you any money, but it surprisingly helps a lot.

 

Ventilate your home 

 

Keeping your windows open is effectively a way of ventilating your home. But, there are other more effective methods which help to keep your home ventilated all day. If you find some of the cheaper methods are not working, you may need to invest in other ventilation solutions. This could require some structural changes, so be sure to get an expert involved. Air vents may need to be built into some walls. Air vents help air, and effectively moisture, to pass through to keep the air circulating. If you prefer something that is more effective, then you can always look into Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR). This works by constantly supplying filtered air into your home, improving the air quality around you. Of course, this is a more costly measure but useful to research if you’re looking to increase the value of your property.

 

 

Buy an extractor fan for your bathroom and kitchen 

 

As I mentioned earlier, the kitchen and the bathroom are the rooms you need to worry about the most. They tend to hold the most moisture because we emit a lot of it ourselves in these rooms. Hot showers and cooking emit steam into the air which stays there if not ventilated properly. Surprisingly, extractor fans do not cost a lot of money. They help to remove moisture from your home and expel it outdoors. They’re easy to install in the bathroom. Effectively, cooker hoods have a built-in extractor fan which you can simply switch on whilst using the stove. Extractor fans are a cost-effective way to help to reduce humidity within your home.

 

Invest in a dehumidifier 

 

This little machine will save the day. The mechanics of a dehumidifier are very clever. It is specifically designed to absorb moisture from the air; drawing air from the room and turning it into liquid. This water is collected, whilst dry air then blows out back into the room. You’ll probably be surprised at just how much water can be collected. There’s no need to chuck all this water away. Instead of wasting this water, why not use it to water your house plants? Be sure to invest in a good quality dehumidifier as there are many out there that aren’t up to standard.

 

Make use of the dry function on your air conditioner 

 

There’s a handy little button on our air conditioner remote that we don’t use enough. The dry mode acts as a dehumidifier. It’s important to remember that it won’t be as effective though. During dry mode, the air conditioner does not blow any air out as it usually does. Instead, it collects moisture from the air and effectively removes it as it blows dry air out. This is ideal because you can also choose to set your own temperature. You can use this in Summer and Winter, come rain or shine!

 

Dry your clothes outside 

 

This isn’t just an old wives’ tale. Drying your clothes inside will actually increase your moisture levels in your home, making humidity levels worse. This is because wet clothes release moisture into the air themselves as they dry. Of course, the moisture has to go somewhere! Wet clothes can increase exposure to mould as they create the perfect environment for this fungus to thrive. Make sure your clothes are fully dry before you place them back into your wardrobe. Your clothes even risk developing a musty smell if you’re not too careful.

 

Turn your home into a greenhouse 

 

Plants seem to solve every issue around. If you’re looking for a more natural way to solve your humidity problems, there are many plants that effectively absorb a high level of moisture from the atmosphere. Plants need moisture to thrive, so their leaves are evolved to absorb moisture from the air. Some plants are prone to absorbing more moisture than others. Classic British plants are known for absorbing moisture in the air – these include ivy and fern. If you’re looking for a plant that flowers, lilies are a beautiful and elegant option. Plants are an effective way to reduce humidity, whilst also looking aesthetically pleasing which will as a lovely touch to your home.

 

There are many tried and tested ways to help reduce humidity in your property. Some of these options are more expensive than others, whilst some only require a small change which entails no cost at all! Reducing the levels of moisture in your home will not only make you feel more comfortable as it’ll be less chilly, but it’s also better for your health. If you’re landlord, you should seriously consider reducing humidity levels as much as possible. Mould is one of the things many viewers look out for in a property. It usually appears as a red flag and could put many potential tenants off. Ensure your property is properly maintained by investing in solid measures. If you’re looking to rent out your property at the moment, get in touch with one of our letting specialists at QuickLets. We’re here to give you expert advice!  

Yana Walker
Written By

Yana Walker