Typically, we pay attention to temperatures when it comes to our home comfort, but the humidity levels within your indoor environment play a bigger role than you think. Generally when we hear the word humidity, we think of the impact humidity has when we are outdoors. But, it is recommended that your home holds a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. What do those levels mean? 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 your indoor air has too much or too little humidity?
Too Much Humidity
If you haven’t actually felt it, you’ve likely at least heard about the impact humidity can have on how hot it feels outside. An 80-degree day in one area might feel cooler than an 80-degree day in an environment with increased humidity. The same thing can happen in your home. If there is too much humidity, it makes it difficult for your body to monitor internal temperatures.
Dehumidified air feels cooler, so you could set your thermostat at a higher temp and maintain your home comfort, which could provide you with energy savings.
Too Little Humidity
While drier air might provide a break outdoors, too little humidity also has harmful implications inside the home. Dry air can trigger your skin to feel cold and itchy and develop 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 can harm the wood within 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 developing a cold or breathing challenges.
What can you do?
Luckily, there are steps to help you monitor and adjust 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 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 assess the humidity levels in your home, Kilbourne Heating & AC can help. You can book an appointment by calling us at 561-287-7071. Our experts will review your challenges and help you understand next steps for reaching the best humidity level for your home comfort.