How to Prevent RV Condensation

When you own an RV, you may discover some issues while traveling that must be addressed to keep your rig comfortable and free of damage. One common problem is condensation. This refers to built-up moisture in the air, which can pool on surfaces and create the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. So how do you combat this problem? We have provided some tips for reducing and eliminating condensation in your rig to keep things drier. Read on to learn more!

Locate Sources of Moisture

First, it’s essential to know where moisture is coming from before you can do anything about it. Piles of wet clothes, the shower, steam from cooking, and high humidity due to the weather are all common contributing factors. When moisture in the air condenses to form water, it will dampen surfaces in your RV, which allows for mold and mildew to grow, creating a health hazard as well as unsightly damage and bad odors. Avoid allowing wet clothing or towels to sit around. Turn on vents and fans when showering. Open a window in the kitchen while cooking to let the steam dissipate.

Use a Dehumidifier

One way you can combat humidity is to invest in a dehumidifier. These devices plug into a power source and draw moisture from the air into a container. Once the container is full of water, you can simply dump it outside or down the drain. A single dehumidifier is sufficient for a small RV, but larger rigs may require you to use more strategically positioned dehumidifiers to capture as much moisture as possible from all corners of your RV.

Try Power-Free Solutions

If you aren’t hooked up to a power source and want to conserve your propane, you can go with power-free solutions to your humidity problem. Ventilation is essential to keeping the moisture levels consistent in your RV. Opening up your vents will allow humidity to dissipate, so make sure you have your vents open while cooking or after a shower. A fan can help speed up this process.

Another solution to moisture that doesn’t require a power source is using desiccant crystals. You must have seen little packets of silica gel in shoeboxes — these are designed to prevent moisture from harming the shoes. They can also be used in your RV to absorb moisture. You’ll just need to switch them out eventually for fresh crystals.

Turn Up the Heat

Turning up your thermostat a few degrees to warm up your RV can help reduce condensation. Warmer temperatures will prevent moisture from settling on surfaces. You don’t have to make your RV uncomfortably hot but don’t allow it to get too cold or you’ll soon see condensation forming on your windows.

Measure Moisture Levels

Keeping tabs on the moisture levels in your RV can help you to keep the humidity at a consistent level. A comfortable relative humidity range is between 30 and 50 percent. You may experience significantly higher or lower humidity levels where you live, but this range is considered to be ideal, as it’s neither too wet nor too dry. Using a hygrometer to track the relative humidity will assist you in your quest to maintain consistent moisture levels in the air.

Following these tips should help you to keep condensation at bay. Still in search of the perfect rig? Visit our dealership in Leduc, AB, to check out our selection of RVs for sale in many styles. Schwab's RV World proudly serves all those in Edmonton.