I recently moved into a brand new home in a southern state, and I'm noticing that the indoor humidity is consistently around 63%. I'm running the AC at about 71 degrees on 'Auto Mode', and while I do have a dehumidifier downstairs that can reduce the humidity in the living room to about 57%, the other rooms still hover around 63%. The HVAC system seems to be functioning well as it drains water, but it only runs for a few minutes at a time. The attic has decent ventilation, allowing some daylight in, but it recently reached 80% humidity due to a stretch of rainy weather. I'm looking for effective ways to consistently bring my indoor humidity down to around 50%, especially during these humid months. Thanks for any tips!
3 Answers
Honestly, 63% isn't too alarming, especially given the very humid weather we've had lately. If you have a crawlspace, make sure it's fully covered with a vapor barrier to help fight humidity from the ground. Keep using that dehumidifier; it should help as the weather warms up and your central air runs more often!
Have you considered adjusting your thermostat to a higher temperature? Sometimes running the AC set at 76 degrees can actually help maintain lower humidity levels in the house. I’ve had success getting indoor humidity into the low 50s when I ease off on the cooling. Also, check if your HVAC system is completely airtight since outside air can raise humidity when it runs more frequently.
We had a similar situation in South Carolina, and humidity should ease up as we move into fall. Besides, installing a vapor barrier in the crawlspace made a difference for us! Just give it some time, and it should get better when the humidity drops outside.
Interesting, I’ll definitely try that higher setting on auto!