Do humidifiers cause condensation and molds?
You see, a lot of people are quite hesitant to buy humidifiers because of the notion that these devices cause moisture and mold growth. Of course, nobody here wants to experience mold infestation. Similarly, you don’t want your house or building to be riddled with condensation.
Too much moisture in a given room can lead to numerous issues, such as mold growth, musty odor, and allergies. As much as possible, you don’t want any of that to happen.
The job of a humidifier is to add moisture to an area. Given that this is the case, it is quite understandable why some people think that these humidifiers can cause problems rather than solutions.
But fear not; this should not actually be the case. There are some things that you need to know here.
How Excess Moisture Causes Mold Growth?
It’s no secret that moisture can cause mold growth.
The most known way moisture can cause mold growth is through condensation. Condensation occurs when warm air meets a cool surface and releases moisture. This is a natural process that occurs both indoors and outdoors.
Usually, molds are not a problem for indoor spaces. The only exception is when there are mold spores that can get inside and manage to land on a damp or wet area. If your home has the right relative humidity, the presence of mold spores should not threaten you. But if there’s too much moisture, then it is a problem that you have to deal with.
For as short as one day, mold spores can grow and manifest in the area. And that’s not a good thing.
If you think that your indoor air is too damp, the device that you need is not a humidifier but a dehumidifier. The latter is specifically designed to bring down the relative humidity of wet spaces down to a more acceptable level.
What Is Condensation Anyway?
Condensation is a process by which water vapor in the air turns into liquid water, and it can happen in a number of ways. It can occur when water vapor in the air comes into contact with cold surfaces, absorbing the heat from the surrounding area and turning it into liquid water.
Condensation can take place when warm air comes into contact with cold surfaces or when warm air is forced to move over a cold surface.
For example, you can see condensation occur on the outside of a cold glass of water or when warm exhaled air touches a cold window. It is also possible for condensation to manifest when warm, humid air is cooled rapidly, for example, in a freezer.
Hence, if there’s sufficient or excess moisture in the air, condensation can occur. And the presence of water is what triggers mold growth.
So how do these things relate to humidifiers?
Do Humidifiers Cause Condensation And Molds?
The short answer to this question is a yes. And it is essential that we can elaborate on this matter. In this way, you will be able to use the humidifier properly without experiencing any condensation and other drawbacks.
The function of a humidifier is to release moisture in the air to increase its humidity. According to experts, the safe range of indoor humidity should be 40% to 60%. Any higher than this, and you’ll experience a damp and wet feeling.
When there’s too much moisture (high humidity), it manifests in the form of condensation. Usually, you can see it in the coldest spots of your home, such as the windows.
Interestingly, warm air carries more water. Therefore, you should not be surprised why it feels so damp during the summer season. Therefore, when the warm air gets in contact with any cold part or surface in your home, the air cools, and the water that it carries is “released” through condensation.
And when there’s condensation, mold growth can also occur.
Low temperatures mixed with excess humidity can also cause indoor condensation. You have to maintain the right humidity at various temperatures to prevent bad things from happening.
You can refer to the table below for the recommended humidity level for given indoor/outdoor temperatures.
| Outdoor Temperature (Fahrenheit) | ||||||||
| Indoor Temperature | -15 | -10 | -5 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 |
| 70 degrees Fahrenheit | 15% | 17% | 20% | 25% | 30% | 35% | 40% | 45% |
| 75 degrees Fahrenheit | 18% | 20% | 24% | 30% | 35% | 40% | 45% | 50% |
How To Prevent Humidifiers From Causing Condensation And Mold Growth?
People buy humidifiers because they are suffering from dry air problems. Perhaps you have already considered buying one but suddenly had a second thought after realizing this matter.
It is undeniable that humidifiers release moisture to make your environment more humid. However, if you don’t keep them in check, they can cause condensation, especially if the temperature outside goes below 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
To prevent this from happening, you should always monitor your humidifier, especially its humidistat. You have to make sure that the humidistat is set on the ideal indoor humidity. In this way, the humidifier won’t produce too much mist in the air. Some humidifiers have automatic sensors that let them configure the moisture output based on the readings.
For instance, if the sensors detect that your indoor humidity is below the appropriate level, they trigger the humidifier to run automatically. After reaching the desired humidity, the humidifier turns off automatically.
Of course, you can also opt for units that offer manual humidistat. They enable you to have full control over the output of the humidifier.
In fact, you can just maintain the relative humidity to 45%. In that way, you can deal with air dryness without experiencing condensation.
Other Tips That Help Reduce Condensation
Condensation is a common problem in homes that lack good insulation and airtight construction. In the winter, it’s the extra moisture in the air from warm, moist breath, cooking, and bathing that creates a humid environment in your home. But, in the summer, it’s the outdoor humidity that finds its way into your home that causes condensation.
Below are some tips to help you reduce the condensation in your home, which, in turn, would prevent mold growth from happening:
- Use the exhaust fans in your bathrooms, laundry, and kitchen
- Vent clothes dryers and gas burners outside
- Make sure that the ventilating louvers in your crawl spaces or attic are large and open
- Utilize fireplace dampers so that moisture-filled air would escape
- Open the entry points of your house for a few minutes every day
In Summary
While it is true that humidifiers can cause condensation and mold growth, it is essential to note that you have all the means to prevent it. Most humidifiers are designed to operate smartly, thanks to their humidistats. But if the humidifier has no sensors, it is up to you to control its output or operational time.
Using a hygrometer can help you monitor the relative humidity of your house or building. It is an inexpensive device, but it can aid you in ensuring that your home is properly humid.
That’s it for now. If you have inquiries, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comment section below.