Usually, we pay attention to temperatures when considering home comfort, but the humidity levels inside your house play a bigger role than you might believe. Generally when we hear the word humidity, we jump to the idea of undesirable weather outside. However, it is recommended that your home holds a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. What exactly does that mean? The air inside your home is holding between 30 to 50 percent of the maximum amount of moisture it can hold.
What happens when your indoor air has too much or too little humidity?
Too Much Humidity
If you haven’t been in the situation, you have probably at least heard about the influence 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 a spot with more humidity. This can happen in your house, too. If there is too much humidity, it is harder 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 sustain comfort levels, which could provide you with 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 make your skin feel cold and itchy and end with sore throats and chapped lips. The amount of static electricity increases too, so you’ll find yourself getting hit with little shocks every time you touch a doorknob.
Lack of moisture impacts 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, increasing your risk of coming down with colds or having breathing difficulties.
What can you do?
However, there are steps to help you monitor and adjust 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 difficulties 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 stated above, or if you want an expert to come out and review the humidity in your home, Bain Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc can help. You can schedule an appointment by contacting us at 256-270-1196. Our experts will answer your questions and help you understand next steps for achieving the best humidity level for your home comfort.