Walk into a stuffy classroom on a rainy day. You know it as soon as you step inside. The air is thick. You see grey rings on the walls. And that wet smell never seems to go away. Most people understand humidity in schools and childcare facilities is uncomfortable. But did you know it can also be hazardous to children’s health?

Dehumidifiers solve this problem. By removing excess moisture from the air, dehumidifiers keep indoor spaces safer, cleaner, and healthier. In this article, we will discuss why humidity is harmful, how dehumidifiers work, and how to use them in schools and childcare facilities.

Why is Humidity Problematic in Schools? 

Kids are inside more than anywhere else except home. Schools and childcare facilities also have classrooms, gyms, cafeterias, and bathrooms. All these spaces contribute moisture to the air. Kids breathe, sweat, and track outside water inside. Cooking areas and cleaning add even more moisture. When humidity has nowhere to go, it will build up quickly.

Ideal indoor relative humidity should be between 30% and 50%. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Levels above 60% allow mold and mildew to grow on surfaces. Dust mites thrive in humid conditions. Bacteria and viruses also spread easier. 

Children who spend a lot of time on the floor are even more at risk. Their immune systems are still developing too. That makes high humidity more dangerous for kids than adults.

Benefits of Using Dehumidifiers in Schools 

Decreasing humidity levels provides several health benefits for students.

Reduce Allergies and Asthma Symptoms 

Humid air equals dusty air. Dust mites breed rapidly in moisture rich environments. Dehumidifiers help eliminate dust mites by removing moisture from the air. Furniture, carpets, and rugs are also common hosts for dust mites. Children with asthma can enjoy breathing easier with fewer asthma attacks.

Prevent Mold and Mildew 

Mold can grow as quickly as 24 to 48 hours after a surface becomes wet. Once established, mold sends harmful spores through the air. Children breathe these allergens all day long. Mold exposure can cause coughing, sneezing, eye irritation, and chronic lung disease. By reducing moisture, dehumidifiers prevent mold growth. 

Reduce Absenteeism Due to Illness 

Research shows that managed humidity reduces sick time. One study noted indoor humidity at around 50% reduced respiratory illnesses in nursery school students by almost half. Lower humidity means healthier kids who show up to school ready to learn.

Improve Overall Air Quality 

Did you know humidity helps bacteria and viruses spread too? Dehumidifiers kill two birds with one stone. They not only reduce airborne allergens but bacteria and viruses as well. Between improved ventilation and dehumidification, students breathe healthier air all day long.

Other Benefits of Dehumidifiers for Schools 

Dehumidifiers aren’t just good for student health. They can also protect your facility. 

Warped wood, rust, and peeling paint are all signs of excessive humidity. Books, supplies, and electronics are ruined by moisture as well. Eventually, moisture damage becomes expensive to repair. Dehumidifiers prevent damage to buildings and replace costly repairs.

Did you know schools that run dehumidifiers while HVAC systems are inactive also protect their buildings? This occurs mostly during summer break. When humidity is high and HVAC systems aren’t running consistently, mold can happen. Running a dehumidifier when HVAC systems are idle helps maintain safe moisture levels without costly operations.

Water also causes children and staff to slip on floors. Gymnasiums, hallways, and cafeterias are risky when humidity levels are high. Dehumidifiers keep these spaces dry and safe. 

How to Use Dehumidifiers in Schools and Childcare Facilities

To properly use a dehumidifier, you must first understand what they do and how to maintain them. Follow these guidelines to keep your facility as healthy as possible.

Set a Humidity Level 

First, and foremost you should keep indoor relative humidity between 30%-50%. Verify this by purchasing a hygrometer. Hygrometers are simple tools that measure ambient humidity. Check different rooms throughout the building. Restrooms, kitchens, storage closets, and rooms close to plumbing should be monitored closely.

Know Your Space 

No two dehumidifiers are the same. Small, portable dehumidifiers work great for individual rooms. While your school gymnasium or cafeteria might need a commercial unit connected to your HVAC. Large homes often use these as well. Choose a dehumidifier that fits the square footage and humidity load of your space.

Empty and Clean the Dehumidifier 

Most portable dehumidifiers come with a water tank. These tanks will need to be emptied frequently. Some models allow you to connect a hose to the unit and drain into the outside ground or a floor drain. No matter which dehumidifier you choose, make sure to clean the coils and filters. A dirty dehumidifier can promote mold! 

Pay Extra Attention to Problem Areas 

You don’t need a dehumidifier in every room. Install them in areas that tend to be damper or don’t ventilate well. Bathrooms, locker rooms, basement classrooms, and areas near drinking fountains see the most moisture. Art rooms and science classrooms often use water and should be monitored.

Ventilate When Possible 

Dehumidifiers do an excellent job of what they’re designed to do. But ventilation is just as important. Open windows whenever possible. Keep HVAC systems clean and running efficiently. A balance between fresh air and dehumidification is ideal.

Train Staff and Check Humidity Levels 

Designate someone to check the humidity levels once a week. Keep a log to track humidity levels in different areas. Train other staff members to look for moisture problems and report them immediately. They can include musty odors, condensation on windows, or water rings on walls.

Case Study – Lowering Classroom Humidity for Indoor Air Quality

The southeastern US school struggled with humidity year-round. Teachers complained about musty odours in their classrooms, condensation forming on windows, students coming down with allergy symptoms more often than they should and some classrooms even began to show signs of mould around the ceiling tiles and windows.

School maintenance did humidity testing first and determined that rather than replacing all of the HVAC equipment, the indoor relative humidity was topping 65% when it should have remained between 30-50% indoors.

Steps the school took to lower humidity: 

• Installed commercial dehumidifiers in affected classrooms/common areas. 
• Targeted indoor humidity between 45-50%. 
• Installed digital hygrometers to track moisture levels. 
• Improved ventilation by servicing existing HVAC units and replacing dirty air filters.
• Scheduled weekly maintenance for dehumidifiers to be emptied, cleaned and checked.

Results: 

• Humidity stayed between 45-50%. 
• Windows were no longer wet with condensation. 
• Musty odours were eliminated from classrooms. 
• No new mould was seen after remediation & controlling humidity.

Teachers experienced fewer complaints about stale air and students seemed more comfortable.

Conclusion: 

By controlling moisture indoors with dehumidifiers and monitoring indoor humidity levels, you can greatly improve indoor air quality while protecting both building occupants and the building itself.

Indoor Humidity FAQs 

What’s the ideal humidity level for schools and childcare facilities?

Ideally, the indoor air should be between 30%-50% relative humidity. This will help prevent mould growth, deter dustmites and keep indoor air as clean as possible for students and employees.

Why are kids more affected by high humidity?

Children are indoors for hours at a time during the day and night. Their immune systems and lungs are still developing too. High humidity promotes the growth of mould, mildew, dustmites and other allergens that become airborne and can cause asthma, allergies, coughing and other breathing problems.

Can dehumidifiers help prevent mould? 

Yes. Dehumidifiers don’t get rid of existing mould but they stop mould from spreading and keep spores from becoming airborne by controlling humidity. If indoor humidity stays below 60%, you’ll have a much more difficult time finding mould and mildew in your facility.

Where are the best places to install dehumidifiers in a school?

Bathrooms, locker rooms, basements, classrooms, storage rooms and kitchens or cafeteria areas are all great places to start. Additionally, you may want to consider rooms that are prone to condensation or have visible signs of dampness.

Will dehumidifiers improve my indoor air quality? 

Yes! Dehumidifiers help reduce mould spores, dustmites, musty odours and other allergens that become airborne. Controlling humidity will not only make your facility more comfortable for staff and visitors, but help improve your indoor air quality.

Do dehumidifiers help with asthma and allergies? 

They can! Dehumidifiers don’t treat asthma or allergies. However, if you have issues with asthma and allergies in your school, lowering humidity will help keep dust mites and mould at bay. That means fewer asthma and allergy symptoms! 

Should I run a dehumidifier in my school year-round?

Humidity levels outside fluctuate based on the season and geographic location. If you live in a humid climate, you may want to monitor humidity year-round. Schools in seasonal climates often only need to worry about humidity in the spring and summer or during periods of heavy rainfall.

How often should I clean my dehumidifiers? 

Portable dehumidifiers should have water tanks emptied on a regular basis. Most portable dehumidifiers have filters you can wash every 2-4 weeks. Commercial dehumidifiers should be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Will dehumidifiers help me save on energy costs?

It’s possible! Dry air feels cooler than humid air. This means you may be able to run your HVAC system less often if you have a dehumidifier removing excess moisture from the air. However, this will fluctuate based on your location.

How can I monitor indoor humidity levels? 

Install digital hygrometers! These inexpensive devices allow you to monitor humidity levels around your facility. Digital hygrometers make it easy for maintenance departments to catch high humidity levels before they become costly IAQ or building problems.

Final Words 

Kids are healthier when humidity is controlled. If your indoor air quality is poor, students are more likely to miss school. They’ll have trouble concentrating and are more likely to develop chronic respiratory problems. Dehumidifiers offer schools and childcare facilities an inexpensive way to keep kids healthy.

Not only will dehumidifiers save you money on repairs and medical bills. You’re also showing parents you care about their child’s health. Start by getting a sense of your indoor humidity levels today.