Do you need a dehumidifier?

Yes, you probably do.

Why it matters: Unless your home can maintain a relative humidity (RH) of below 60% (55% would be better), you need to dehumidify.

 The big picture: High humidity leads to poor indoor air quality and damages building materials.

• Dust mites do not thrive below 55%RH — and dust mites are one of the leading causes of allergies.
• Mold and mildew grow best in 60%RH or greater — in addition to causing allergies, mold can make us sick.
• The higher the RH in our home, the more likely it is for condensation to form on walls, window sills and floors. This causes materials to deteriorate.

 Bonus! When you bring RH down, you’ll feel much more comfortable in your home.

• Even at a higher temperature on your thermostat.

 For your Smart Homeowner list

• Start with measuring and monitoring.
• Some thermostats will report RH.
• Or invest in a good monitor like the Airthings View Plus.
• I’m using this 50 pint dehumidifier in our bedroom — and I finally got our humidity levels under control.

Best,

Travis