Usually, we key in on temperatures when considering home comfort, but the humidity levels in your home play a bigger role than most people think. Generally when we hear the word humidity, we jump to the idea of undesirable weather outside. Nevertheless, it is recommended that your home holds 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 happens when a home has too much or too little humidity?
Too Much Humidity
If you haven’t experienced it, you have probably at least heard about the influence 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 place with increased humidity. This can happen in your house, too. If there is too much humidity, it more challenging 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 also result in 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 result in 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 impacts the wood throughout your home, creating cracking and shrinking in your floors, trim and furniture. The dry air also affects your body’s mucous membranes, heightening your risk of developing a cold or breathing challenges.
What can you do?
Fortunately, there are options to help you assess and adjust humidity levels in the home. A smart thermostat can help you measure 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 a qualified technician to come out and check out your home’s humidity levels, E.B. Air, LLC can help. You can book an appointment by contacting us at 979-335-4262. Our experts will review your challenges and help you determine next steps for achieving the best humidity level for your home comfort.