What Should My Home Humidity Be?

There’s more to home comfort than just the ambient temperature in your house. The humidity of your air also plays a significant role in whether you feel hot and sticky in the summer or have dry skin during the winter. Here’s what to know about managing the humidity level in your home and how ductless heating and cooling can make it easier to achieve your perfect comfort.

How Humidity In The Air Is Measured

Moisture in the air is measured using a device called a hygrometer and is expressed as a percentile. The meter senses the amount of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount of water air that temperature could hold. So, if the air inside a space is 70 degrees and has a humidity of 59%, this means that the air could hold 41% more water until it reached a water vapor saturation of 100%.

How Much Humidity Is Enough?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the ideal humidity level for most homes is between 30% and 50%. You may prefer your home drier in the summer and less dry in the winter, because warmer air holds more moisture than cool air. In the winter, adding moisture to drier air can help make your home more comfortable, while removing moisture from damp, sticky air can make your home feel cooler.

Adjusting Your Home Humidity

If your home’s humidity levels are too high or too low, there are a few different ways to adjust them:.

If your home is too dry, you can try using a humidifier to increase the moisture in the air. This takes water, usually from your tap, and either makes a steam or cool mist vapor that gradually increases the amount of moisture in your air over time. You can turn the humidifier on and off as needed to keep your humidity at the desired level, or invest in an automatic timer so you don’t have to think about it.

Some of the things you may want to consider when selecting a humidifier include but aren’t limited to:

• The size of the unit
• The type of humidifier (warm mist, cool mist, or ultrasonic)
• The features offered
• The price

Once you have selected a humidifier, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to set it up and use it properly. It is also important to keep the unit clean and free of mineral deposits, as these can cause health problems.

If your home is too humid, you may need to use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air, which helps to create a more balanced environment in your home and reduces the potential for mold growth. You can also reduce humidity in your home by using exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture-laden air, or by opening windows to allow fresh air to circulate.

Tips & Tricks

• Place your humidifier near an open window or door so that it can get some fresh air from outside.
• Check humidity levels at least once per day, using a digital or analog hygrometer.
• Keep an eye on other environmental factors that can impact home humidity levels, such as whether or not you’re running any fans or using air conditioning.
• If possible, try to maintain a consistent indoor temperature throughout your home by using a programmable thermostat.

Benefits Of Humidity Maintenance

Maintaining the right humidity level in your home offers several benefits. If the air is too dry, it can cause respiratory problems and static electricity shocks. You may get flaky skin or feel tired and lethargic. If you have asthma or get frequent nosebleeds, dry air can make this worse.

On the other hand, if the air is too humid, it can promote mold growth and make dust mites thrive. High humidity can also cause other problems like musty odors and an uncomfortable sticky feeling that you can’t seem to get rid of.

Ideal home humidity levels can also help protect your furniture and wood floors from damage caused by excessive dryness or moisture. Controlling your humidity can also reduce energy costs by making your heating and cooling system more efficient.

Get More Control Over Your Home Comfort Today

Are you struggling staying cool in the summer or warm in the winter? Humidity may only be part of the problem. A ductless HVAC system can not only offer you more control over your home comfort, it can also help you save on your heating and cooling costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Learn more today by contacting the qualified contractors at Jones Services. Call now at (845) 289-8532.