Usually, we focus 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 strongly advocated that your indoor space 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 takes place when you have 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 a spot with heightened 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 maintain your home comfort, which could provide you with energy savings.
Too Little Humidity
While drier air might feel good 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 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 furniture, trim and even floors. The dry air also affects your body’s mucous membranes, enhancing your risk of coming down with colds or having breathing difficulties.
What can you do?
Fortunately, 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 understand humidity levels. And if you are having trouble 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 are noticing any of the warning signs listed above, or if you want an expert to come out and check out your home’s humidity levels, Farris Heating & Air can help. You can arrange an appointment by reaching us at 918-333-0376. Our experts will answer your questions and help you determine next steps for achieving the best humidity level for your home comfort.