Ah, winter. It’s so cozy and warm when you’re cuddled up inside your RV, especially when the outside temps are frigid. Well, that cozy feeling is sure to cool when you begin to notice water droplets forming on the inside of your RV windows. That’s excess humidity and it is not your friend!
High humidity can cause damage to your RV. When the warm, moist air from inside your rig hits the cold window glass, moisture forms. If that moisture builds up, the water droplets form little rivers of wetness that will run into the windowsill and from there into the wall. Most RVs are constructed with a lot of wood and humidity can cause that wood to warp, expand, and lose structural integrity over time.
Another serious issue with humidity is mold. Mold spores in the air will be able to attach to surfaces in the RV. This can cause health problems such as increasing issues with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory illnesses.
Related Article: The Ultimate Guide for Winter Camping
Here are simple RV hacks and tricks to help cut down on the humidity inside your RV this winter.
Cooking
I always think of humidity as being caused by the areas we travel to and weather patterns but that is only part of it. We cause humidity while cooking, showering, and even breathing. Luckily, there are a few ways to reduce humidity. However, I do recommend first making sure moisture is not getting in the RV from the weather.
Minimize cooking time on your RV stovetop. When you do cook on the stovetop, be sure to use the exhaust fan on its medium or high speed and crank open a nearby window. Cover foods as they cook as much as possible to avoid steam from escaping directly into the RV.
When possible use the microwave as an alternative to stovetop cooking. Use the microwave along with the vent. Once the food is removed, quickly close the microwave rather than let the steam escape into the galley.
Get outside. Cook outside as much as possible. Use your gas grill or campfire to heat delicious meals without adding more humidity to the inside air.
Convection cooking. If you have a convection oven, use it instead of the propane oven which can produce steam.
Heating
Electric is best since propane produces humidity. A heat pump is one option for heating an RV. It’s not a perfect solution in every situation but it is good to have on board. A heat pump uses electricity to warm up the interior of the RV. As the name suggests, it uses a pump to move warmth from one place to another. In this case, it absorbs heat from outside the RV and pushes it inside through the ventilation system.
Related Article: Winter is Here: What to Do with Your RV?
There are limits to what a heat pump can do. They’re great when it’s chilly but not when it’s freezing cold. This is because they draw warmth from the outside air. The critical point varies from manufacturer to manufacturer but from our experience about 34 degrees Fahrenheit is the point at which an RV heat pump stops working. There’s just not enough heat in the outside air for it to extract.
A second option is a portable electric space heater. If you’re plugged into a reliable power source electric heaters are a great supplement to your RV furnace. They help to save propane and lower your energy bill depending on the electric costs in your location.
If your RV features a fireplace, use it instead of the furnace.
Take proper precautions for insulating your rig so that drafts are not an issue. It will help you stay warmer.
Dress for success. Consider dressing in layers so that you can keep comfortable even in cooler indoor temperatures.
Other considerations
Take shorter showers. Hot showers put lots of excess humidity into your RV interior. Consider using the campground showers, if available. If you do shower inside your RV, keep it brief. Run the exhaust fans and crack open a window to help release the extra moisture to the outside.
Related Article: How to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in your RV?
Some folks swear by running a fan with one window opened slightly. Proponents claim that the fan helps circulate the air and helps humid air escape more readily.
Dehumidifier choices
Cold and wet is bad. Not just for you, but for your RV, too. All that heat in one confined space can lead to humidity and condensation which can cause mold in your walls.
When winter camping it’s advisable to use several dehumidifiers in the RV (bathroom and kitchen are particular problem areas)
Moisture absorbers such as DampRid will help reduce damaging condensation. Applications for RVs include disposable absorbers (10.5-ounce tub), refillable absorbers (10.5-ounce tub), hi-capacity absorbers (4-pound tub), and hanging absorbers (14-ounce hanging bag).
DampRid’s crystals absorb excess moisture in the air to create and maintain the optimal humidity level in your RV.
These tips are easy to follow and will play a huge role in cutting down moisture and prolonging the life of your RV. With one less thing to worry about, you can hit the open roads without a care.
Read Next: 6 Great Tips for RV Beginners
Worth Pondering…
I’ve never gotten used to winter and never will.
—Jamaica Kincaid