from Laurie in Fort Atkinson, WI:
#872
Is there a way to dehumidify my bathroom? I don't have a dehumidifier.
Install an exhaust fan.
Most people do not use dehumidifiers in bathrooms because of noise and operating costs. Your best choice is to install a properly sized, quiet, energy-efficient exhaust fan to mitigate as much moisture at the source as possible. An easy way to determine the appropriately sized fan is to calculate the volume of the room (length x width x height), multiply the volume by 8 (to achieve the recommended 8 air changes per hour rate), and divide that total by 60 (minutes) to arrive at the appropriate CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating of the fan. Be sure the fan is vented to the outside rather than into the attic.
It is important to select a fan that will operate quietly. Residential bath fans are rated for sound/noise by the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI). The amount of noise that exhaust fans generate is rated in sones. The lower the sone rating, the quieter the fan. If possible, choose fans that have a rating of 1.5 sones or less. The simple reason for choosing a quiet fan is that loud fans aren’t operated on a regular basis, resulting in less evacuation of moisture and other air-borne pollutants generated by lifestyle.
Published Wednesday, August 11, 2010