Usually, we key in on temperatures when considering home comfort, but the humidity levels inside your house play a bigger role than most people think. Usually when we hear the word humidity, we jump to the idea of undesirable weather outside. But, it is recommended that your home maintains a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. What exactly does that mean? The indoor air is holding between 30 to 50 percent of the maximum amount of moisture it can hold.
What occurs when a home has too much or too little humidity?
Too Much Humidity
If you haven’t been in the situation, chances are you have at least heard about the effect humidity can have on how hot the weather feels. An 80-degree day in one location might feel cooler than an 80-degree day in place with heightened humidity. This can happen in your house, too. If there is too much humidity, it makes it difficult for your body to monitor internal temperatures.
Dehumidified air feels cooler, so you might have the ability to set your thermostat at a higher temp and maintain your home comfort, which could offer 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 cause your skin to be itchy and cold and end with sore throats and chapped lips. The amount of static electricity is enhanced, so you’ll experience more shocks when touching doorknobs and other items.
Lack of moisture takes a toll on the wood around your home, causing cracking and shrinking in your trim, floors and furniture. The dry air also affects your body’s mucous membranes, enhancing your risk of coming down with colds or having breathing difficulties.
What can you do?
Luckily, there are solutions out there to help you monitor and manage humidity levels in the home. A smart thermostat can help you measure the air in your home so you can see what the humidity levels are inside. And if you are having trouble getting in the 30 to 50 percent range for humidity, there are humidifiers and dehumidifiers to help improve the situation.
If you experience any of the warning signs mentioned above, or if you want a qualified technician to come out and review the humidity in your home, North Mechanical Heating and Cooling can help. You can schedule an appointment by reaching us at 928-263-8570. Our experts will answer your questions and help you determine next steps for reaching the best humidity level for your home comfort.