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Solved! Why Is My House so

Humid?
The question “Why is my house so humid?” can have
several answers—and some are easier to fix than others.

By Melissa Maynard de Kerch and Evelyn Auer | Updated Apr 25, 2023 11:45 AM
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Photo: istockphoto.com
Q: My family recently relocated to a new home, and it feels
incredibly muggy indoors. Our air conditioner seems to be
working just fine, so why is my house so humid?
A: Figuring out why a house is so humid can take some troubleshooting, but it
may prevent many issues in the future. But what is high humidity? According
to Energy Star, the ideal indoor relative humidity should be between 30 and 50
percent—anything higher than 50 percent is considered high. High humidity
levels can cause discomfort and health issues, and excessive humidity can
even cause damage in a home. Some telltale signs of excess moisture are if
the AC smells musty, the house feels humid, or there is visible mold and
mildew growth. Excess humidity in a house can also cause condensation on
windows, toilet tanks, and pipes. Wondering what causes condensation? It
happens when warm, moist air comes in contact with cool surfaces, and the
vapor in the air turns into liquid water. Traces of moisture can spread to
ceilings and walls, causing discoloration and mold growth. Peeling paint and
creaking or buckling floorboards can also be a sign of excessive moisture.
Ultimately, high humidity levels have many different causes: climate, daily
activities, HVAC issues, and poor ventilation are just a few of the culprits.
Depending on the cause, solutions can range in cost from the price of one of
the best dehumidifiers to the cost of HVAC service or AC repair cost. Read on to
see if any of these issues may be present, and find out how to restore the
home to a comfortable humidity level indoors.
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The climate affects the humidity level in your home.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Climate can contribute to high humidity in a house. If it’s exceptionally humid

outside, chances are it’s going to be muggy inside a home. The changing
seasons and temperature can be significant factors for rising indoor humidity
levels and the main culprit for an uncomfortable environment. Some parts of
the country are more prone to high humidity than others, and inside humidity
levels tend to be higher in regions with muggy climates. For those wondering
“How humid should my house be?” the EPA offers recommendations on indoor
humidity levels relative to outdoor temperatures for reference.
Everyday activities like cooking, washing, and showering can contribute to
humidity levels.
Humidity levels can be affected by simple activities that take place in a
household every day. These tasks can naturally add more moisture to the air.
Cooking and running the dishwasher can add more water vapor to the air in
the kitchen. Long, hot showers add a lot of moisture to the bathroom. Keeping
areas ventilated by opening a window or installing an exhaust fan can lower
humidity inside the house. A professional can direct certain appliances, such
as clothes dryers and stoves, to vent outside of the home. A whole-house
dehumidifier costs $1,500 on average and can also help eliminate some of the
moisture created by these activities.
Leaks coming through cracks in the plumbing system may be the culprit.
An interior plumbing leak from a bathroom or kitchen sink can cause
increased moisture in the air. It’s important for homeowners to check pipes
often for cracks and corrosion; according to the EPA, leaks can lead to the
growth of harmful biological pollutants. Early plumbing leak detection could
help prevent water damage, musty smells, and potential mold growth. While
some leaks can be easy to spot, others are not. Homeowners can look for wall
discoloration, bubbling paint or wallpaper, a dripping sound, or a musty smell.
If any of these are present, it’s time for them to contact a professional for
plumbing leak repair.

Poor insulation could be increasing the home’s humidity levels.

Ever wondered “Why is my house so humid with the AC on?” It’s generally
understood that poor insulation can allow uncomfortably cold air into a home
during the winter, canceling out the efforts of a furnace. The same principle
applies to humidity. When outdoor humidity is high, that damp air can make its
way inside via gaps not sealed by insulation. This also means that cool, air-
conditioned air can escape instead of circulating indoors. So while it may
seem like the central AC is not blowing cold air, it actually may be working
overtime (and driving up energy costs, too). Having old insulation replaced,
especially in the attic and basement, could be the key to eliminating excess
moisture in the air. If it isn’t possible to completely replace the home’s
insulation, caulking or sealing windows throughout the home can be another
effective way to restore the home to a more ideal inside humidity level.
 Photo: istockphoto.com

Moisture from soil under your home may be penetrating the house.
The soil outdoors may not be the first thing that comes to mind when
homeowners wonder “Why is it so humid in my house?” However, humidity
can come up through the soil underneath the foundation of the home. This is
called rising damp, and ineffective grading can be a significant factor since
groundwater and rain can accumulate in a home’s foundation. Basements can
be humid since they’re often poorly insulated and don’t have windows, and
this can compound any issues.

Homeowners who live in a climate with excessive rain will want to ensure that
gutters and downspouts work correctly and rainwater is directed away from
the house to keep moisture out. Professionally installed awnings placed above
windows and doors are an excellent way to keep water out as well.

High humidity in your home can be a sign of a problem

Get it taken care of ASAP. Get free, no-commitment estimates from experts near you.
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A poor ventilation system may be to blame.

Adequate ventilation can help control a home’s humidity level, impacting
health and a home’s structural integrity. If there are high humidity levels in a
home, poor ventilation can be to blame. If a homeowner thinks this is a likely
reason behind discomfort or even health issues (high humidity indoors can
lead to respiratory problems), a first step is for them to open windows and
keep them open for extended periods for humidity control, particularly in high-
moisture areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Also, homeowners will want
to consider having a ventilation system professionally installed.

Your AC unit may be too large.

Bigger isn’t always better: An oversize window or central AC unit may be the
reason for excessive moisture in a home. The evaporator coil found inside the
AC unit acts as a dehumidifier and pulls humidity from the air as it runs.
However, the best AC installation companies will confirm that if the unit is too
large, it may cool a room or home too quickly, running for only 10 to 15
minutes on a hot day before it abruptly shuts down. This is commonly referred
to as short cycling, and a professional can diagnose the problem as part
of HVAC inspection cost. A longer runtime is needed to dehumidify a home
correctly. While the cost of a replacement HVAC may seem high to homeowners
at first, investing in a smaller unit may make a home more comfortable and
energy efficient in the long run.
Additionally, even if an HVAC or AC unit is the proper size, it can contribute to
high humidity if it is not functioning properly. HVAC systems last from 15 to 25
years on average. In some cases, HVAC costs may be partially covered by a
home warranty (and if not, it may be worth a homeowner investing in one of
the best home warranties for HVAC such as American Home Shield or Liberty
Home Guard in the future). If it’s been a while since the system has been
serviced or it is reaching a fairly old age, it may be wise for a homeowner to
call one of the best HVAC companies.