How to Maintain Healthy Indoor Humidity Levels During Autumn

Indoor humidity is a great equalizer. Whether a house is bare or expensively furnished, it gets massively uncomfortable when humidity is high. It makes your skin feel sticky and sweaty, the air thick and oppressive, and the temperature warmer than it really is.

Humidity is often a problem for coastal states in the fall, especially in the early days of the season as temperatures fluctuate and rainy days begin. The outside temperature is still too warm to turn on the AC during this period, and outdoor humidity rises because of increased precipitation. As a result, indoor humidity also peaks. This can lead to a host of issues, from musty smells throughout the house to respiratory problems from exposure to mold and other allergens.

From investing in the best crawl space dehumidifier to opening windows regularly, learn the ideal indoor humidity and tips on how to achieve it and maintain a healthy home during fall season.

What Is the Ideal Humidity Level for Your Home?

Humidity refers to the volume of moisture in the air and is measured in percentages; 100% means the air is fully saturated, and 0% means it’s completely dry.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says the ideal indoor relative humidity (RH) is between 30% and 50%. Anything over 60% is unhealthy because it creates an environment that nurtures mold. Excessive dampness also attracts household pests and bacteria, making a house unhealthy for residents. Likewise, anything below 30% is bad because it dries the air out too much.

Dry air is equally uncomfortable and unhealthy as damp air. Moreover, both extremes can cause property damage. It’s important to find the sweet spot where indoor humidity is concerned to ensure good air quality, good health, and property preservation.

What Is the Ideal Humidity Level in the Fall?

Humidity rises during the rainy season because of increased precipitation. This is why humidity occasionally spikes in fall, and even in winter, even though the air is colder (technically, cold air can hold less water vapor than hot air).

The Pacific Northwest and southeastern regions experiences many such days in fall. Observing the EPA's recommended indoor RH levels should help people living there stay comfortable.

But what about in the regions that are typically dry during fall? Personal preference is a big factor, but many will agree that the ideal home humidity for the fall months in drier climates would be 35% to 40%.

Ideal Indoor Relative Humidity

Why raise indoor humidity levels in fall, and winter, for that matter? Because it’s neither comfortable nor healthy to lower indoor RH when outdoor humidity is already low. With the air is completely devoid of moisture, your skin will feel dry, tight, and flaky. Dry air will also irritate your eyes, give you chapped lips and sore throat, and can cause nosebleeds and respiratory problems. A small increase in the indoor relative humidity will make you more comfortable and prevent adverse health reactions.

But there's a catch.

When it’s cold outside, and the indoor temperature and humidity are too high, condensation will occur. Dew drops will form on doors, windows, and exterior walls. Since the goal is to reduce indoor humidity, you must avoid increasing moisture levels inside the house.

Taking these two scenarios into consideration, it makes sense to keep indoor humidity around 35% to 40% in the fall. It’s the optimal range that offers comfort, promotes good health, and prevents property damage due to excess moisture.

How to Lower Humidity in Your House Fast

So, you now have a target humidity range for your home. What next?

The fastest, most straightforward, and effective way to reduce and manage indoor relative humidity is to buy a dehumidifier. It removes excess moisture in the air through condensation, effectively lowering indoor relative humidity and improving indoor air quality (IAQ).

How does a dehumidifier improve the quality of air? When warm, humid air enters a dehumidifier and passes through its cooling coils, water vapor condenses and turns to liquid form. The condensate drips down to a condensate tank, which can be removed and emptied once full. For dehumidifiers without a condensate tank, the water is immediately flushed out via a water pump or gravity-assisted drain tube. The dehumidified air—now fresher and cleaner—is released back into the room.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Dehumidifier

Like most household appliances, a dehumidifier performs best under certain conditions. Even the best crawl space dehumidifiers will become inefficient and wear out early if they are placed in the wrong spot, forced to operate with the wrong settings, or aren’t well maintained.

To ensure you get your well-deserved ROI from your dehumidifier, here are some things you can do.

1. Place it in the dampest part of your house.

Should I put a dehumidifier in my crawl space? Absolutely. Crawl spaces, along with basements, garages, and attics are the most humid parts of a house. Located on the external sides of the house, they are the most vulnerable to ground precipitation and fluctuating outdoor temperatures.

Kitchens, laundry areas, and bathrooms are also humid hotspots because they are notorious for producing steam. Placing a dehumidifier in these rooms will keep indoor humidity low even if you’re drying multiple loads of laundry or you’re cooking all day for a fall-themed party or Thanksgiving.

2. Don’t block the dehumidifier’s vents.

Observe the minimum clearance requirement for your dehumidifier. If there’s a vent at the back of the unit, for example, don’t position it against a wall. Make sure there’s enough space around the unit so that air can effortlessly flow in and out of the vents.

3. Clean or replace the filter regularly.

Dehumidifiers have filters to remove dust, pollen, and other airborne particulates as air enters the unit. When the filter gets too dirty, it prevents air from flowing freely. Dust trapped among the fibers can also break loose and wreak havoc among the cooling coils.

If you already own a dehumidifier and often wonder, why does my dehumidifier smell? A dirty filter can also be the answer.

So, to ensure your dehumidifier works efficiently and doesn’t release musty-smelling air, replace the filter before it gets too dirty. In Argendon’s case, you can wash the filter and re-use it for three or so months, after which we recommend replacing it with a fresh one. The filters we use come in three-piece and four-piece packs, which pretty much covers the next 12 months.

4. Empty the condensate tank regularly.

An overflowing water collection tank can damage a dehumidifier if the water reaches the electrical components. The contents of condensate tanks must always be poured before they overflow, so make it a habit to check your tank every few hours.

5. Position the drainage tubes properly.

If you have a dual-draining dehumidifier like Argendon, make sure it is positioned to drain correctly. Proper drain placement is necessary to prevent the water from backing up back into the dehumidifier.

Elevate it if you want to use gravity drainage, so that water can flow freely down the tube. If you want to use the water pump feature, then you can place the dehumidifier at the lowest point of your house. Just make sure a sink, floor drain, sump pump, or exit point (a door or window) is nearby.

You can learn more about different dehumidifier drainage types in this blog.

6. Close the doors and windows when the dehumidifier is on.

Allow the dehumidifier to dry out a room as much as possible before letting warm, humid air inside once again. Otherwise, you’ll keep the machine running for hours because the indoor humidity isn’t improving. This will accelerate wear and tear, and the dehumidifier can break down earlier than you expect.

How to Reduce Humidity Without a Dehumidifier

Suppose you’re still hesitating about investing in a dehumidifier and are instead looking for alternatives to reducing humidity. We agree that we should explore all possible methods to solve problems, so here are some tips on how to reduce humidity in a room naturally.

1. Open the windows.

Are you familiar with the term, “Lüften?” It is the German practice of opening all windows for a few minutes during winter to flush out the stale air inside a house. This can also help reduce indoor humidity in fall. Allowing cold, fresh air to flow through your home dries out damp surfaces, prevents mold growth, and removes damp smells. But you should only do this when it’s not raining, and the outside air is cold and dry. Otherwise, the humidity in your house might get worse.

2. Improve indoor ventilation.

If you don’t have many windows, consider buying air-moving appliances like ceiling fans and air circulators. You can also install mechanical or electrical vents in moisture-prone areas, like the basement, your bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room. These will help expel the airborne pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that accumulate once you start closing all the windows to keep out the chilly fall air.

3. Seal air leaks.

Air leaks cause condensation, which elevates moisture levels and causes water damage like discoloration, warping, and rotting. So, inspect your house for potential air leaks, like broken gutters, missing roof tiles, and worn-out weatherstripping around windows and glass walls. Repair or seal them to keep your building envelope intact.

4. Seal plumbing leaks.

Similarly, repair dripping faucet and seal leaky pipes to prevent moisture from penetrating parts of your house that shouldn’t get wet in the first place. Watch out for damp spots, discoloration, or warping on the walls or floors where the plumbing passes through and call a plumber at the earliest sign of a leak.

5. Install vapor barriers in your crawl space or basement.

Crawl spaces are prone to moisture from groundwater seepage, plumbing failure, and condensation on exposed pipes and ductwork underneath the house. Damp crawl spaces are bad news because they are ground zero for mold and rot. The bacteria can hide for years while gradually affecting your health and increasing allergy symptoms. Houses with damp crawl spaces smell dank and old, and they inevitably have structural problems.

Basements are in a similar spot (literally). They are surrounded by groundwater and surface runoff. If the foundation drainage or dampproofing isn't done well, moisture can enter through the tiniest cracks in the concrete slabs. If you’re wondering, why does a basement smell musty? There’s your answer. Damp crawl spaces are bad news because they are ground zero for mold and rot. The bacteria can hide for years while gradually affecting your health and increasing allergy symptoms. Houses with damp crawl spaces smell dank and old, and they inevitably have structural problems.

Investing in high-quality vapor barriers protects your crawl space or basement, and by extension, your home. But if you want to cover all bases and keep these spaces completely dry, we recommend getting the best dehumidifier for crawl space and basements on top of installing vapor barriers.

6. Get a hygrometer.

A hygrometer measures the saturation or volume of moisture in the air. Sophisticated hygrometers come with mobile apps that allow you to monitor indoor humidity on the go. These apps may also send notification alerts if the readings exceed your ideal range. Consider getting one to keep an eye on your indoor relative humidity.

If you have a dehumidifier, however, you may not have to buy a hygrometer anymore.

Modern brands like Argendon have built-in hygrometers and LCD displays showing real-time humidity readings, allowing you to monitor indoor humidity and adjust the target humidity range whenever necessary.

A dehumidifier has you covered for three out of the six tips in this section. So why not choose the quick, easy, and effective way to maintain healthy indoor humidity levels? Purchase a dehumidifier, and you can solve persisting moisture problems, protect your health and protect your home with just a tap of a button.

Where Can I Buy a High-Capacity Crawl Space Dehumidifier?

No need to look far because you're already in the right place.

Argendon designs and manufactures energy-efficient, high-performing dehumidifiers for residential use. This website is the perfect starting point for anyone looking for the best crawl space dehumidifier for basements and any part of the home that needs moisture control.

Browse our Shop page and check out our crawl space dehumidifiers today.