Usually, we focus on temperatures when considering home comfort, but the humidity levels within your indoor environment play a bigger role than most people think. Normally when we hear the word humidity, we jump to the idea of undesirable weather outside. However, it is recommended that your home has a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. How do you measure those levels? The air in your house is holding between 30 to 50 percent of the maximum amount of moisture it can hold.
What takes place when a home has too much or too little humidity?
Too Much Humidity
If you haven’t experienced it, you’ve likely at least heard about the effect humidity can have on how hot it feels outside. An 80-degree day in one region might feel cooler than an 80-degree day in a spot with heightened humidity. Humidity can impact the temps in your house as well. If there is too much humidity, it is harder for your body to monitor internal temperatures.
Dehumidified air feels cooler, so you could 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 feel good 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 increases too, so you’ll experience more shocks when touching doorknobs and other items.
Lack of moisture takes a toll on the wood throughout your home, causing cracking and shrinking in your floors, trim and furniture. The dry air also affects your body’s mucous membranes, enhancing your risk of getting a cold.
What can you do?
Fortunately, there are options to help you assess and control humidity levels in the home. A smart thermostat can help you gauge 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 can provide additional support.
If you experience any of the warning signs stated above, or if you want an expert to come out and assess the humidity levels in your home, Custom Air Systems Inc can help. You can arrange an appointment by calling us at 772-247-2283. Our experts will review your challenges and help you determine next steps for achieving the best humidity level for your home comfort.