Keeping moisture under control in your home can make it more comfortable, save you money on heating and cooling costs, increase energy efficiency, and prevent the growth of mold. Properly controlling moisture in your home will improve the effectiveness of your air sealing and insulation efforts, and these efforts in turn will help control moisture. Your local climate and the way your house is built will determine which methods of moisture management in your house will be most effective for you.

Should I try to control the humidity in the crawl space using my air conditioner?

When it comes to controlling the amount of moisture in the crawl space, some contractors, home inspectors, and engineers recommend using the central heating and air conditioning unit to condition the space. On days when the air outside is cooler and more humid, many homeowners choose to forgo using their air conditioner in favor of letting fresh air into their homes by opening their windows. Because there is no air conditioning, there won't be any dry air pumped into the crawl space. When you add the weight of the crawl space to the equation, you run the risk of causing the air conditioning unit to become undersized. If the HVAC system in your home is not designed to include the crawl space, it will have to work much harder and for a longer period of time to condition a portion of your home that does not contain living space. In addition, you may still require a dehumidifier for your crawl space even during the times of year when you use your air conditioner less frequently.

What are the root causes of excessive humidity in a home?

Normal, day-to-day activities such as cooking, washing, and showering can all add to the level of humidity in the air. Normal, day-to-day activities can have a significant impact on the relative humidity in the air. These activities have the potential to add more moisture to the air naturally. The air in the kitchen may become more saturated with water vapor as a result of activities such as cooking and running the dishwasher.

What can I put under my house to ensure that it doesn't get wet?

Check to see that there is adequate ventilation in the crawlspace. Sand should be used to fill in any low spots in the crawlspace. Plastic with a thickness of at least 6 mils should be used to cover the ground underneath the entire crawlspace. Place an additional layer of sand on top of the plastic to help keep the plastic in place and to soak up any additional moisture.

Should a crawl space have air conditioning installed?

Imagine a smaller version of your home's basement being built here. Not only does a conditioned crawl space significantly improve the air quality in your home, it reduces your heating and cooling costs, keeps your crawl space dry so it doesn't attract mold or rot, and provides a nifty place to store Christmas presents.

When it comes to controlling dampness, are crawl space dehumidifiers sufficient?

Controlling the dampness in a crawl space should always involve using a dehumidifier along with an active ventilation system and a vapor barrier that has been installed correctly. When it reaches levels that are higher than 60 percent, humidity can become a problem inside of your home. Because of the stack effect, moisture that accumulates in the crawl space can spread to other areas of the house and cause both damage and discomfort there. If you take the appropriate measures to control the humidity in your crawl space, you can ensure that your home will be dry, clean, comfortable, and energy efficient. Mold, fungus that causes wood to rot, insects, dust mites, and high utility bills can all be the result of a crawl space that has too much moisture. Excessive moisture in a crawl space can adversely affect flooring materials, including hardwood and other floor coverings. A dehumidifier is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to controlling the high humidity in your home, but other things are required to manage the excessive moisture in your crawl space.