I've asked this question before, heard nothing but crickets. My gun room humidity varies widely. This time of year it stays 76 degrees, 16% humidity.
Summer with a dehumidifier same temp about 30% humidity. I have no wood problems but need to oil guns periodically to protect against corrosion.
I live in an old home and would love stable climate control, but cost is prohibitive.
The line of questioning has come up numerous times in the forums. Obviously the average individual can't begin to afford a museum quality complete environmental control system.
Removing humidity or to dehumidify has several options, berettaprofessor mentions:
I use the renewable Remington dry packs that plug into a wall and have to re-energize them about every 3-4 months.
Silica gel is the most popular desiccant material. It works best when relative humidity is higher than 40%. What needs understood when using silica gel desiccant packs is that the desiccant will reach a saturation point. Thus the 40% number. Simply means that using desiccant packs with silica will not get the relative humidity below 40%. That said if the ambient RH is below 40% they do nothing. If we want a lower RH we need to go with a different type desiccant. In the case of berettaprofessor the desiccant packets are likely doing nothing right now.
Indicating silica gel changes from blue to pink when it has absorbed 8% of its weight. Bags have a window for monitoring color change.
Low-humidity molecular sieve is more effective than other desiccants when relative humidity is below 40% or temperatures exceed 77° F.
Clay is our most economical desiccant per ounce.
Anhydrous calcium sulfate is suitable for large spaces.
All depends on what you want or need. All of the above methods to suck moisture out of the air are Chemical Dehydration.
Another method is Reducing Temperature to Dry Air which normally use some form of refrigeration. We have all seen household dehumidifiers.
The list goes on as to ways and methods. You select a method based on your situation.
On the other end we have a need for humidity and humidifiers come in all flavors just like dehumidifiers.
Simple and free would be to fill a few bowls with water and set them around the house. If you have forced hot air heating in the winters then place a towel as a wick in a bucket of water in front of the ducts. Take showers and leave the bathroom door ajar.
Buy a ultrasonic humidifier. Boil water on the stove.
Yes, if the RH is low enough you run the risk of cracking or splitting a stock as the wood expands and contracts with temperature changes. If you need or want a controlled environment then you need to devise a plan to implement it. The simplest are basic home humidifiers or dehumidifiers which can be purchased at any home improvement store.
Ron