Dear Glenn: I have a 3-year-old Victorian farmhouse that is 2,700 square feet. My humidity rarely goes below 45 percent and is often 50-55 percent even though I have not turned the water on to the furnace humidifier this year. My basement is 1,800 square feet, has 8-foot poured walls that are sealed on the outside, and has 1 1/2 -inch foam insulation. The floor also has 1 1/2 -inch foam insulation and a layer of plastic. The perimeter has an expansion joint. The basement humidity is around 60 percent and around 60 degrees.

Ruth, Northville

Dear Ruth: You are living in a thermos bottle. High humidity is often a sign that the house is too tight and lacks sufficient air exchange.

Consider having your heating contractor install an HRV (heat recovery ventilator). If your house has this high a humidity level during the winter, it should become absolutely soggy during the summer.

Ask your contractor about installing a Research Products' (888) 257-8801, www.aprilaire

.com, Aprilaire whole house dehumidifier.

To clarify the problem, I recommend a blower door test. Flame Furnace, (888) 234-2340, www.flamefurnace.com, Infrared Services of Michigan, (810) 329-9033, www.ismichigan.com, and Mechanical Heating & Cooling, (313) 277-7630, www.mechan

icalheating.com, all offer blower door testing.