6 Ways to Control Humidity in the Workplace

Humidity isn't limited to the outdoors; it can occur indoors as well. If you work in a humid environment, you may want to take precautions to control it. Allowing high humidity levels to go unchecked can lead to loss of productivity and even damage to equipment and machinery. Here are several ways to control humidity in the workplace.

#1) Monitor

You can't expect to control humidity in your workplace unless you monitor it. Monitoring involves the use of a device to sense and relay the relative humidity level. Some rooms or areas of your workplace may have a higher relative humidity level than others. By monitoring these levels, you can identify problematic areas.

#2) Seal Air Leaks

One of the most common causes of high humidity in the workplace -- as well as other indoor spaces -- is air leaks. An air leak is any gap or opening that allows the conditioned air inside of a home or building to escape to leak out. If your workplace is constantly humid, you should investigate it for air leaks. Sealing these air leaks will help to lower the humidity level.

#3) Install a Dehumidifier

There are devices available that can lower the humidity level in homes and buildings. Known as dehumidifiers, they work by extracting moisture vapor from the air. Some of them have a tank. As they pull moisture vapor from the air, the dehumidifiers will store it in a tank. Other dehumidifiers have a hose, which they use to drain the moisture vapor.

#4) Change the Air Filter

Don't forget to change your workplace's air filter. Assuming your workplace has central air conditioning, it will likely have an air filter. The air filter is designed to remove dust and other forms of contaminants from the air. Failure to change it on a regular basis will result in poor airflow. The clogged air filter will restrict the flow of air, which among other things, can lead to high humidity.

#5) Clean Spills

Spilled water and liquid isn't just a slip-and-fall hazard; it can raise the humidity level in your workplace. When spills occur, try to clean them as soon as possible. Allowing spills to go unchecked will result in higher humidity levels.

#6) Check Condensate Drains

If your workplace has a condensate drain, you should check it to ensure that it's not clogged. Condensate drains are commonly used with air conditioning systems. As the air conditioning system cools your workplace, it will create condensation. This water will drip into a condensate drain where it's flushed to the outdoors. If it's clogged, however, the condensate drain will back up, meaning the water level will rise.