Usually, we focus on temperatures when considering home comfort, but the humidity levels in your home play a bigger role than most people think. Usually 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 indoor air is holding between 30 to 50 percent of the maximum amount of moisture it can hold.
What occurs when you have too much or too little humidity?
Too Much Humidity
If you haven’t experienced it, you’ve likely at least heard about the impact humidity can have on how hot the weather feels. An 80-degree day in one region might feel cooler than an 80-degree day in place with increased 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 might have the ability to set your thermostat at a higher temp and still feel comfortable, which could offer energy savings.
Too Little Humidity
While drier air might provide a break outdoors, too little humidity also has negative implications inside the home. Dry air can cause your skin to be itchy and cold and develop sore throats and chapped lips. The amount of static electricity increases too, so you’ll notice that touching some items such as doorknobs will give you a little shock.
Lack of moisture takes a toll on the wood within your home, creating cracking and shrinking in your trim, floors and furniture. The dry air also affects your body’s mucous membranes, increasing your risk of coming down with colds or having breathing difficulties.
What can you do?
Fortunately, there are steps to help you assess and manage humidity levels in the home. A smart thermostat can help you assess the air in your home to understand humidity levels. 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 mentioned above, or if you want an expert to come out and review the humidity in your home, Luikart Heating & Cooling can help. You can schedule an appointment by reaching us at 740-200-5591. Our experts will answer your questions and help you determine next steps for attaining the best humidity level for your home comfort.