How To Prevent Humidity From Entering Your Camper

Humidity in a camper can be a real issue. It can cause condensation on windows, and even more seriously, it can lead to health problems and damage the structural integrity of the vehicle. So, how does humidity get into your camper? Well, it's caused by temperature variations between the outside and inside. Condensation builds up on windows when it's colder outside than in, and moisture is also trapped inside when people cook, shower, and breathe. To keep your camper in good condition and to stay healthy, it's important to keep the humidity level inside the camper at around 40-50%.

Cooking, showering, and breathing add moisture to the air

Even the simple act of breathing adds moisture to the air inside your camper. Cooking and showering, of course, add even more moisture. This is why it's important to reduce the humidity in your camper as much as possible.

Problems caused by high humidity

High humidity can cause damage to your camper. Most campers are constructed with a lot of wood, and humidity can cause wood to warp, expand, and lose structural integrity over time.

Another serious issue with humidity is mould. Mould spores in the air will attach to surfaces in the camper, and this can cause health problems, such as increasing issues with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory illnesses.

Reducing humidity

Monitoring humidity

To keep on top of the humidity levels in your camper, you can use a hygrometer. This is a device that measures the humidity level, and many campers have a magnetic hygrometer on their refrigerators.

Reducing moisture

To limit the amount of water you put into the air, turn off the stove when the kettle starts steaming, open the vent in the bathroom when you take a shower, and boil water using an outside burner if possible.

Don't dry clothes inside your camper. Hang them up outside to dry, so the water doesn't evaporate into the air inside.

Keep the air moving by opening vents and cracking open windows when you can. Run a fan to generate air circulation.

Dehumidifiers

It's almost always necessary to run a dehumidifier in your camper. You can get small dehumidifiers for $20 to $25 and put them in each room, or invest in a larger dehumidifier for $150 to $250 to put in the centre of the camper. The larger ones have settings where you can program the desired humidity level, and they're the most efficient.

You can also use beads like Eva-Dry and hang these small dehumidifiers around your camper. DampRid is another cheaper option if you don't want to invest in a dehumidifier.

Moisture control products

Moisture-removing crystals, like Damp Rid, are an inexpensive solution to drying out the air in your camper without having to plug in an appliance. However, some people don't like this solution as it involves the use of chemicals.

Ventilation

Use exhaust fans or crack windows while cooking or showering to let out steam.

Other tips

• Increase the temperature in your camper by a few degrees
• Cover pots and pans while cooking, or cook outside
• Leave a window cracked while you sleep to let out CO2

High humidity can cause damage to your camper's wood and metal

Metal surfaces in your camper are also susceptible to damage from high humidity. The moisture in the air can cause rust on metal fixtures and fittings, weakening their structural integrity and leading to unsightly corrosion.

To mitigate these issues, it is essential to reduce humidity levels in your camper. This can be achieved through proper ventilation, such as opening windows and utilizing fans to promote cross-ventilation. Additionally, the use of air conditioning or dehumidifiers can help remove excess moisture from the air. Taking these proactive measures will help protect your camper's wood and metal surfaces from the damaging effects of high humidity.

Furthermore, it is crucial to address any water leaks or spills immediately, as standing water can exacerbate humidity issues and contribute to wood rot and metal rust. By being vigilant and proactive in managing humidity levels, you can maintain the structural integrity and comfort of your camper while also safeguarding your health.

Humidity levels of 30% to 50% are safe

Keeping humidity levels between 30% and 50% is considered ideal for indoor spaces. Humidity levels within this range promote comfort, health, and excellent air quality.

Relative humidity is a way of describing how much humidity (or water vapour) is in the air compared to the maximum amount the air can hold at that temperature. Warm air can hold more water vapour than cold air.

Maintaining humidity levels within the 30% to 50% range can also help preserve the structural integrity of your camper. High humidity can cause damage to your RV, as most RVs are constructed with wood, which can warp, expand, and lose structural integrity over time.

To monitor humidity levels, you can use a hygrometer, which can be purchased at home improvement stores or online. Some newer thermostats also list the room's humidity level. Additionally, you can use the simple method of pouring a glass of water, adding ice cubes, and observing if condensation forms on the outside of the glass after a few minutes.

To maintain or achieve humidity levels between 30% and 50%, you can:

• Use a dehumidifier to absorb moisture.
• Open windows and use fans to promote cross-ventilation.
• Run your air conditioner, as it removes moisture from the air.
• Use exhaust fans when cooking or taking a shower to ventilate the space.
• Keep cabinet doors slightly open when not in transit to ventilate interior spaces.
• Seal vents, holes, and cracks in basements and crawl spaces.

A hygrometer measures humidity levels

A hygrometer is an instrument used to measure humidity levels. In other words, it measures the amount of water vapour in the air or another gas.

Hygrometers usually rely on measurements of temperature, pressure, mass, and mechanical or electrical changes in a substance as it absorbs moisture. For example, the amount of water vapour that can be held in a given volume of air varies with temperature; cold air can hold less mass of water per unit volume than hot air. Therefore, a change in temperature can change the humidity.

Types of hygrometers

There are several types of hygrometers, including:

• Mechanical hygrometers: These utilise the principle that organic substances, such as human hair, contract and expand in response to changes in humidity. The contraction and expansion of the hair element in a mechanical hygrometer cause a spring to move the needle on the dial.
• Electrical hygrometers: These measure the change in electrical resistance of a thin layer of lithium chloride, or of a semiconductor device, as humidity changes.
• Dew-point hygrometers: These typically consist of a polished metal mirror that is cooled at a constant pressure and constant vapour content until moisture starts to condense on it. The temperature at which condensation begins is the dew point.
• Psychrometers: This type of hygrometer utilises two thermometers, one wet-bulb and one dry-bulb, to determine humidity through evaporation. The wet-bulb thermometer is wrapped in a wetted cloth, causing evaporation and a loss of heat from the bulb, making its reading lower than that of the dry-bulb thermometer. The difference in temperature between the two thermometers is used to compute the amount of water vapour in the air.
• Chilled mirror dew point hygrometers: These are some of the most precise instruments available. They use a chilled mirror and an optoelectronic mechanism to detect condensation on the mirror's surface.
• Capacitive hygrometers: These measure the effect of humidity on the dielectric constant of a polymer or a metal oxide.
• Resistive hygrometers: These measure the change in electrical resistance of a material due to humidity.
• Gravimetric hygrometers: These extract the water from the air and weigh it separately.
• Optical hygrometers: These measure the absorption of light by water in the air.

Dehumidifiers and desiccants can reduce moisture

Dehumidifiers and desiccants are effective tools to reduce moisture in your camper. Dehumidifiers condense water vapour from the air and collect it in a tank that can be emptied later. This reduces dampness and helps prevent mould.

There are two types of dehumidifiers: desiccant dehumidifiers and refrigerant models. Desiccant dehumidifiers use a special material to absorb moisture from the air and are designed to remove mould from small areas like closets. They are inexpensive and have low power consumption but are not very powerful and only work well in mildly humid areas. Refrigerant models, on the other hand, use coils to funnel condensation into a reservoir. They are more powerful and have a greater capacity to lower humidity throughout the camper.

When choosing a dehumidifier, consider the square footage of your camper. The largest Class A motorhomes rarely exceed 350 square feet. Most portable units are equipped to handle up to 150 square feet of space effectively. If you have a larger luxury motorhome, consider purchasing two dehumidifiers to target specific rooms and the most humid areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

Dehumidifiers are power-hungry devices, so you'll want to use them when you have access to shore power. They require emptying from time to time and should be used in conjunction with proper ventilation practices.

If you're looking for an alternative to electric dehumidifiers, desiccants like DampRid and Dri-Z-Air are great options. These products work well in small spaces, such as closets and cupboards, and can remove moisture and that musty smell that often accompanies it. They are especially useful when dry camping or when you need to keep moisture levels down without power.

By using a combination of dehumidifiers and desiccants, you can effectively reduce moisture and maintain a comfortable and healthy living environment in your camper.

Frequently asked questions