Rated 5.0 out of 5.0
Typically, we key in on temperatures as it relates to home comfort, but the humidity levels in your home play a bigger role than you think. Usually when we hear the word humidity, we think of the impact humidity has when we are outdoors. However, it is strongly advocated that your indoor space has a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. How do you measure those levels? The air inside your home is holding between 30 to 50 percent of the maximum amount of moisture it can hold.
What happens when your indoor air has too much or too little humidity?
Too Much Humidity
If you haven’t actually felt it, chances are you have at least heard about the impact humidity can have on how the temperatures feel outside. An 80-degree day in one area might feel cooler than an 80-degree day in an environment with more humidity. Humidity can impact the temps in your house as well. If there is too much humidity, it makes it difficult for your body to monitor internal temperatures.
Dehumidified air feels cooler, so you may be able to set your thermostat at a higher temp and sustain comfort levels, which could provide you with energy savings.
Too Little Humidity
While drier air might be a relief outdoors, too little humidity also has negative implications inside the home. Dry air can trigger your skin to feel cold and itchy and end with sore throats and chapped lips. The amount of static electricity goes up as well, so you’ll notice that touching some items such as doorknobs will give you a little shock.
Lack of moisture can harm the wood around your home, initiating cracking and shrinking in your trim, floors and furniture. The dry air also affects your body’s mucous membranes, enhancing your risk of getting a cold.
What can you do?
Luckily, there are solutions out there to help you assess and control humidity levels in the home. A smart thermostat can help you assess the air in your home to see what levels you are coming in at. And if you are having challenges getting in the 30 to 50 percent range for humidity, there are humidifiers and dehumidifiers that offer a solution for getting to the right amount of humidity.
If you see any of the warning signs listed above, or if you want a professional to come out and assess the humidity levels in your home, Air Solutions, Inc can help. You can arrange an appointment online or call us at 409-962-2476. Our experts will answer your questions and help you identify next steps for attaining the best humidity level for your home comfort.
