Ventomaxx High humidity despite ventilation? Causes and tips

High humidity despite ventilation? This apparent paradox can pose a challenge for many homeowners. After all, regular ventilation of rooms should actually ensure a healthy indoor climate. Nevertheless, it can happen that the humidity indoors is higher than desired, which can result in problems such as mould growth and health complaints. In this article, we will take a closer look at the causes of high humidity despite ventilation and provide you with practical tips on how to effectively solve this problem. Find out what can cause humidity to rise in your home and what measures you can take to restore a pleasant indoor climate. After all, a healthy home is not only important for your well-being, but also for the building fabric.

What is considered ‘excessive humidity’?

Humidity refers to the amount of water vapour in the air, expressed as a percentage. An appropriate level of humidity is important for human comfort and health, as well as for the preservation of buildings and furniture. As a rule of thumb, a relative humidity between 40% and 60% is considered ideal. However, if humidity is maintained above 60% for long periods, it is considered to be too high. If humidity levels regularly rise above this level, it can result in mould growth, moisture damage to walls and furniture, and health issues. Excessive humidity hinders the regulation of room temperature and promotes the growth of mould spores, which can be harmful to health. Typical humidity levels for different rooms:

Bedroom: 40-60%
Living room: 40-60%
Basement: 50-65% (higher due to cooler temperatures)
Bathroom and kitchen: 50-70% (due to steam and moisture)

Common causes of high humidity despite ventilation

It can be frustrating if the humidity in your home remains too high despite regular ventilation. There are numerous factors that contribute to high humidity in homes, even if they are regularly ventilated.

It is important to identify the causes of high humidity in order to take appropriate measures to reduce it. By addressing the causes and implementing effective solutions, the indoor climate can be significantly improved.

Health complaints caused by high humidity

Excessive humidity in the home can not only damage the building fabric, but also result in health complaints. People with respiratory problems, allergies or asthma are particularly susceptible. Health complaints caused by high humidity:

Odour nuisance: A musty smell can spread throughout the room, especially in poorly ventilated rooms with high humidity.
Respiratory irritation: High humidity can result in breathing problems, especially for people with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
Allergic reactions: Mould that thrives in a humid environment can cause allergic reactions ranging from skin irritation to breathing difficulties.
Increased risk of infection: Constant high humidity levels favour the growth of bacteria and viruses, increasing the risk of infection.
Sleep disorders: Muggy, humid air can result in an uncomfortable sleeping environment, which can cause sleep disorders.
Possible worsening of skin conditions: People with skin problems such as eczema or atopic dermatitis may experience a worsening of their symptoms due to high humidity.
General discomfort: high humidity can cause general discomfort, which can manifest itself in headaches, tiredness and a lack of concentration.

It is important to be aware of signs of excess humidity and take appropriate action to improve the air quality in your home and avoid health complaints. Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of high humidity.

Solutions for high humidity despite ventilation

If high humidity persists in your home despite regular ventilation, it is important to find effective solutions to fix the problem. Here are some ways to reduce humidity in your home:

Correct ventilation: Check that you are ventilating properly. Pulse ventilation for 5-10 minutes several times a day instead of keeping the windows tilted open can help to dissipate humidity.
Drying clothes outside: Avoid drying clothes indoors, as this increases humidity. Instead, use a clothes dryer outside.
Regular maintenance: Regularly check for leaks in water pipes, leaking guttering or leaking windows that can bring moisture into the house.
Plant care: Make sure that plants do not release too much humid air. If necessary, place them outside or in rooms with good ventilation.
Combine proper heating and ventilation: Another important measure is proper heating. Cold rooms tend to store more humidity. Regular moderate heating prevents condensation from forming on walls and windows.
Use extractor hoods: Use extractor hoods in the kitchen to remove humidity and odours when cooking.
Installing a ventilation system: Decentralised ventilation systems are an excellent solution for regulating humidity in individual rooms. They prevent humid air from accumulating in rooms and reliably result in the removal of excess humidity. Particularly in rooms such as bedrooms or cellars, decentralised ventilation systems can continuously ensure good air circulation without the need for extensive conversions.

For all requirements in the area of active ventilation without heat recovery, we offer solutions such as the series SILENT COMFORT and ECO COMFORT. These quiet and energy-saving fans ensure optimal air circulation in rooms with odour and moisture problems and offer the highest sound Insulation up to 65 dB Dn,e,w. With Ventomaxx, apartment building projects have the opportunity to access innovative technologies that increase living comfort, reduce energy costs and contribute to a better environment. Thanks to our expertise and many years of experience, apartment buildings can be equipped with customised ventilation solutions that meet the highest standards. By implementing these measures, you can effectively reduce humidity in your home and create a healthier indoor climate.

Professional solutions for persistent high humidity

If the humidity in your home remains too high despite regular ventilation, it may be advisable to consider professional solutions. Sometimes simple measures such as increased pulse ventilation are not enough to solve the problem. Decentralised ventilation systems provide an efficient and flexible solution for controlling humidity in individual rooms. Unlike centralised ventilation systems, they can be installed directly where the problem is greatest, e.g. in bedrooms, basements or bathrooms. Another advantage is that decentralised systems work independently of each other, which makes installations easier and can reduce energy consumption. They are particularly advantageous in old buildings, as they can be retrofitted without major construction work.

Decentralised ventilation units from Ventomaxx with heat recovery are available in the series WRG RONDO, WRG PLUS and WRG MAKANI® R / Q. They stand for high-quality, decentralised ventilation comfort with extremely energy-efficient heat recovery and with well above-average protection against outside noise. A bathroom fan with a humidity sensor offers numerous advantages for your bathroom and your home as a whole. Thanks to the humidity sensor’s intelligent technology, the ventilation system automatically detects the humidity in the room and adjusts the ventilation intensity accordingly. This results in efficient ventilation that helps to prevent mould growth and maintain a healthy indoor climate.

The active exhaust air fan BALNEO EX® meets all requirements. The innovative modular system enables tailor-made solutions with quiet and effective run-on, humidity sensor and multi-stage control units. In addition, the system offers flexible installation options and meets additional requirements such as fire protection and connection to a second room.

Frequently asked questions

1. Why is the humidity in my house so high even though I air it regularly? There can be many reasons for persistently high humidity levels despite airing. It is often due to insufficient air exchange, a lack of ventilation or inefficient ventilation technology, or structural conditions such as leaks in the building envelope.

3. Are there special solutions for high humidity in certain rooms? Yes, for rooms with increased humidity, such as bathrooms, kitchens or basements, there are special ventilation systems that can specifically remove humidity and thus improve the indoor climate. Basements are naturally prone to humidity problems. Due to their location below ground level, they have fewer natural ventilation options and the walls are often cooler, which can result in condensation. In addition, moisture in the soil can penetrate through the walls, especially in older buildings with poor sealing. In such cases, regular ventilation is often not enough to control the humidity permanently. This is where decentralised ventilation systems and dehumidifiers can help.

If humidity remains high despite regular ventilation, it is important to identify the causes and take appropriate action. You can optimise the indoor climate in the long term by analysing the situation, eliminating sources of moisture and improving ventilation. However, the right combination of ventilation, heating and the use of technical aids such as decentralised ventilation systems can provide an effective remedy. Installers and homeowners should choose high-quality products to avoid long-term damage and ensure a healthy indoor climate.

High humidity despite ventilation? Causes and tips

CUSTOM-MADE VENTILATION SOLUTIONS FOR NEW BUILDS AND RENOVATION PROJECTS

CUSTOM-MADE VENTILATION SOLUTIONS FOR NEW BUILDS AND RENOVATION PROJECTS