We built a house 7 years ago and it’s insulated and has double glazing. I’ve installed Home Assistant with temp sensors in the bed rooms and seeing 70%+ humidity levels. Temperature is always above 16c

We ventilate it, but still it’s 70% in the bedrooms. WHO recommends 40-60%, so we’re a bit worried.

Living room is around 55% during the day when we have the heat pump set at 21c.

As it’s pretty humid outside I think it’s almost impossible to get it lower, but are there any other tips? I don’t want to run dehumidifiers. Would an HRV like system help?

  • sylverstream@lemmy.nzOP
    2·
    2 years ago

    Ah interesting, I’ve never read the instructions just hit “Dry”!

    Yeah, I noticed it didn’t do anything when set to e.g. 22c when it was already 22c there. Then I read the manual, which is a bit cryptical:

    When the room temperature is higher than the temperature setting: The device will dehumidify the room, reducing the room temperature to the preset level. When the room temperature is lower than the temperature setting: Dehumidifying will be performed at the temperature setting slightly lower than the current room temperature, regardless of the temperature setting. The function will stop (the indoor unit will stop emitting air) as soon as the room temperature becomes lower than the setting temperature.

    Notice the bold part. First it says, if the temp setting is higher/same as ambient, it will perform slightly below ambient. However, next sentence it says it stops when temp setting is higher/same as ambient?

    I have to set it e.g. 2c lower than ambient, otherwise it just doesn’t do anything

    • Dave@lemmy.nzM
      2·
      2 years ago

      Yes I noticed it contradicted itself. I think that was probably referring to the earlier part, that you start it when the temperature is high then it keeps going until it reaches the set temperature.

      I am going to go and play with ours now, we haven’t really used that setting, but I have no idea what the humidity is in the house. I’ve just in the past in a different house had to work out how to reduce dampness and mould.

      • sylverstream@lemmy.nzOP
        2·
        2 years ago

        Yes I noticed it contradicted itself. I think that was probably referring to the earlier part, that you start it when the temperature is high then it keeps going until it reaches the set temperature.

        Yes, guess you’re right.

        I’ve got a cheap weather station from Aliexpress which also has a humidity sensor, that could be a temporary solution for you if you don’t go for the HA route.

        • Dave@lemmy.nzM
          3·
          2 years ago

          Nah, that takes the fun out of it. Given how cheap the parts are I’m going to have a play at getting HA set up when I get a chance.

          • sylverstream@lemmy.nzOP
            3·
            2 years ago

            Good luck!

            One tip if you have a SO: Make sure that they are on board, and that it only adds benefits & there’s a backup/fallback plan. E.g. don’t say “Oh sorry the lights don’t work if the internet is down”, that won’t go down well :)

              • sylverstream@lemmy.nzOP
                2·
                2 years ago

                I’m avoiding plugs that require internet access, but it’s a bit hard, especially in NZ. E.g. the TP Link smart plus don’t work if the internet is down, and my standing desk is Tuya based which requires the cloud.

                But, e.g. the TP Link plugs still have a button to turn them on manually in case the internet is down. The lights still work if you turn them off and back on at the wall. So everything can still work without internet.

                • Dave@lemmy.nzM
                  2·
                  2 years ago

                  Ok cool, I’ll be sure to think about that stuff before getting too far along, thanks for the suggestion.

                  Most of the lights in our house are built in LED downlights, so can’t really switch them out for smart bulbs, it would need to be a smart switch

                  • sylverstream@lemmy.nzOP
                    2·
                    2 years ago

                    Yeah it’s a big rabbit hole like I suggested. I am also looking at automating our “dumb” alarm, our garage door, our Nissan Leaf, etc. I’m no longer allowed to talk about it during dinner, so please take it slowly :)

                  • sylverstream@lemmy.nzOP
                    2·
                    2 years ago

                    Just to add, it IS very handy. I’ve just created a script that sets the heat pump to Dry & 2c lower than ambient temperature.

                    This way I will be able to create automations to e.g. run it on Dry every night for e.g. an hour, then back to heat, etc.