Home Humidity Levels

[nagooro]

Was curious about the humidity levels in my home so I set up a hygrometer on each level of the house.

As of right now:
Basement-57%
Main floor - 47%
Upstairs - 40%

Are these fairly typical for a hot calgary summer? Wondering if I need a dehumidifier for the basement?

We do have an AC system, and the basement is quite a bit cooler (17c), I would have thought the basement would then have the lowest humidity levels? Its a finished basement, doesn't get much use and I have the vents open a bit to get some airflow going.

[killramos]

Just run your furnace fan

[ExtraSlow]

your basement has the higher relative humidity BECAUSE it's cooler. it's probably about the same absolute humidity.

[ThePenIsMightier]

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your basement has the higher relative humidity BECAUSE it's cooler. it's probably about the same absolute humidity.

Stop talking so dirty to me! I've got a mt'g in 2 min and not enough time to torque one out!!

[suntan]

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your basement has the higher relative humidity BECAUSE it's cooler. it's probably about the same absolute humidity.

Every time I have to explain this to someone I want to gouge their eyes out.

[Darell_n]

Dew point is all that matters.

[ExtraSlow]

Nerd crew represent

[ThePenIsMightier]

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Nerd crew represent

We're a bunch of psychro's ...

But, yes - unless you (OP) feel like it's musty or somewhat damp feeling in the basement, then I certainly wouldn't bother with a dehumidifier.

[Proyecto2000]

So i have AC at my house and my basement humidity has been pretty high at 65-70% while the upstairs reads 35-39%. Been running the dehumidifier and emptying out twice a day and got humidity in the basement down to 45%.

[ExtraSlow]

A dehumidifier in Calgary is a laughable idea. This is a near-desert environment.

[msommers]

High water table and building on floodplains, cracking/deteriorating foundation from the 70's and older. It's incredibly common.

[Proyecto2000]

My swollen basement doors in my 10 year old house will disagree with you lol

My parents also have high humidity in their 1980s bungalow as does my next door Neighbour.

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A dehumidifier in Calgary is a laughable idea. This is a near-desert environment.

[ExtraSlow]

Okay, I hadn't thought of that, water coming in through the walls. Learn something new every day.

What kind of dew points do you see in basements like that?