Basement humidity levels

[NewToy]

Anyone know what is an acceptable level of humidity in the basement? Mine runs around 65 % with the ductwork vents opened up down there. It's just a few points higher than the house usually is. I was wondering what a good rule of thumb humidity percentage would be.


John

 

[Sigarms]

I would think it depends on what feels comfortable for you.

My basement (below grade) usually runs about 55%, first floor about 45%, and third floor about 59%.

For myself, under 50% feels most comfortable. Keep in mind, same temp but different humidity level can actually make you feel more "warm" due to moisture in the air. Run 74 degrees at 40% and then at 65%, for myself, I can feel the differece too easy.

 

[Mrwurm]

I run a dehumidifier in my basement set at 55%. If I set it any lower, it runs constantly. I keep the humidity as low as I can to prevent rust and corrosion on the electronic toys that I keep down there.

 

[scott_vt]

Anyone know what is an acceptable level of humidity in the basement? Mine runs around 65 % with the ductwork vents opened up down there. It's just a few points higher than the house usually is. I was wondering what a good rule of thumb humidity percentage would be.


John

Mornin John,
I keep my dehumidifier running for the most part all spring and summer, because I have my woodworking equipment and machines in the basement. To have that stuff start to rust is not acceptable, so I just keep it running ! If you had boxes down there, you dont want them, to become damp and or moldy ! Soon as fall comes along with the cooler weather I can run the woodstove to eliminate any moisture in the basement !

 

[NewToy]

My basement always stays right around 65 degrees with 60-65% humidity. I keep the AC set at 72 in the house and humidity levels are running around 55%. Was just wondering if those were acceptable levels, don't want to have a mold issue down the road.

Thanks,

John

 

[RobS]

Not sure what the right level should be but I've always run a dehumidifier in the summer months. The basement is so much cooler, when it's comfortable upstairs, the moisture is condensing all over in the basement. Like others, I have woodworking equipment and such down there that I prefer not rust.

 

[ByronBob]

I have a 120 gallon retention tank in the basement. Without a de-hu the thing sweats bad. The doors in the house will warp so bad they won't close. So this time of year I'm doing 25 pints of water a day.

Guns started rusting too so I had to move them upstairs. I would say under 55% is the place to be in.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Another thing you can do (surprsed it's not as commonas it shoudl be) is if you have central A/C to put not just a supply vent down there but also a return vent to suck the damp air out.
Often in an unfinished basement there isn't a return air vent just maybe a supply vent usually cut into the side of the duct somwhere.