Oftentimes, we focus on temperatures when considering home comfort, but the humidity levels within your indoor environment play a bigger role than you might believe. Generally when we hear the word humidity, we jump to the idea of undesirable weather outside. But, it is encouraged to make sure your house maintains a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. What do those levels mean? The indoor air 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 actually felt 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 a spot with more 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 provide you with energy savings.
Too Little Humidity
While drier air might provide a break outdoors, too little humidity also has undesirable implications inside the home. Dry air can make your skin feel cold and itchy and result in 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, creating cracking and shrinking in your floors, trim and furniture. The dry air also affects your body’s mucous membranes, increasing your risk of developing a cold or breathing challenges.
What can you do?
However, there are options to help you assess and adjust 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 to help improve the situation.
If you see any of the warning signs mentioned above, or if you want a professional to come out and check out your home’s humidity levels, Central Heating & Plumbing can help. You can schedule an appointment by reaching us at 724-401-1843. Our experts will answer your questions and help you understand next steps for attaining the best humidity level for your home comfort.