How Do I Know If I Need A Dehumidifier for Car or RV [Simple Guide]

Have you been reading about how damaging high humidity is for your RV and home but don’t know if you actually need a dehumidifier or not? Well, in that case, this article would help you.

The goal of this article is to give you a simple guide that will tell you if you need a dehumidifier or not. We will also discuss the signs of high humidity in an RV or home.

So, let’s get started!

Check the Humidity of Your State, City, or Town!

An easy way to find out if you need a dehumidifier or not is by googling the humidity level of your city or state because not all regions and states have the same amount of humidity.

For example, Alaska, Florida, and Louisiana states have the highest humidity, 77.1%, 74.5%, and 74%, respectively. Mississippi, Hawaii, Low, Michigan, Indiana, and Vermont also have one of the highest humidity ratings.

You can check out your state’s humidity level by clicking here!

Check the Humidity Level in Your RV, Home, or Office!

Researchers say that the human body feels the most comfortable when the humidity is between 45-50%. This is why people use dehumidifiers to keep the humidity in their RV, homes, and offices between 45-50%.

But how would you know if the humidity in your RV, office, home, or other space is higher than 50%?

The answer is simple, use a hygrometer! A hygrometer is a device that allows the user to check the humidity in a certain area, e.g., RV. 

Furthermore, at the moment, SensorPush HT1 is one of the best hygrometers on the market for the following reasons:

• SensorPush HT1 is a professional-grade hygrometer, and it shows accurate value.
• The small and compact design allows for the use of this hygrometer almost everywhere, e.g., home, RV, lockers, guitar, etc.
• The SensorPush HT1 is a wireless and smart device. You can connect it to your phone and check the humidity level remotely.

6 Signs of High Humidity!

If you cannot access a hygrometer, there are a few signs that can show if the humidity is high in your RV or not. Let’s check them out!

1. Mole and mildew

If you see small black dots forming on the walls and ceiling of your RV, then that is probably mold. High humidity in the RV or any other closed space encourages the growth of mold and mildew.

This mold and mildew are not only damaging to your RV, but it is also harmful to your body. Mould can cause mold-induced asthma, allergies, and other breathing problems.

Mould usually grows in damp and dark places. So, look at your RV’s darker nooks and crannies to check for mold growth.

2. Moisture damaged walls and ceilings

Did you just find a damp spot on your walls or ceiling that does not budge no matter what you do? Or maybe you saw cracks in your walls and ceiling. This is a sign that your walls and ceilings have moisture damage.

Another great sign of moisture-damaged ceiling and fans would be chipping paint. The paint starts to chip when a wall or ceiling is damaged due to high humidity. And no matter how often you repaint the wall, the paint will come off again after a while.

Moisture-damaged ceilings and walls make your RV and house look odd and affect your property’s structure. Moisture-damaged walls and ceilings have a higher risk of falling.

3. Foggy windows

This sign is self-explanatory! When the humidity level in an RV is high, the windows start to fog up. At first, these foggy windows seem harmful. But your windshield can also get foggy quickly, which is a driving disaster.

4. Condensation

Condensation and foggy windows usually go hand in hand. If your RV windows are foggy and you do not do anything to reduce the humidity, then the next step would be condensation.

Condensation is when you can see drops of water rolling down your windows and walls. This is the ultimate sign that the humidity in your RV is as high as it can be.

5. Corrosion

Another huge sign of high humidity is corrosion or rust. Most metals are highly reactive to moisture. And if the humidity in your RV is constantly high, then only in a short time will you start seeing the metal in your RV corroding.

This corrosion not only ruins your RV’s aesthetic but can also cause some structural damage. And if the corrosion gets out of hand, it can cause a short circuit in your RV’s engine.

6. Damp smell

If you have ever left a damp towel on your bed and are familiar with the foul smell, then be aware! High humidity causes a smell that is ten folds worse than that. And there is no way to get rid of that smell other than using a dehumidifier.

Because no matter how many times you spray an air freshener in your RV, the damp smell will take over again. You can open your windows to better the airflow. But if you do not solve the high humidity issue, the smell will return in no time.

Conclusion

Congratulations! Now you finally have the answer to “how do I know if I need a dehumidifier?”. But before this article ends, let’s summarize what we just learned today!

The first step is to google your area’s humidity level. After that, get a hygrometer and check the humidity of your RV.

But if you cannot follow these steps, look at the telltale signs of high humidity. And if you can detect half of the high humidity signs mentioned in this article, you need to get a dehumidifier.

Check out our Best Dehumidifiers for RV list to find the perfect dehumidifier for your house on wheels!