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A proper humidity level is important for providing the best comfort in a room. It also has a significant effect on your body and even your furniture. But what is the right humidity level for your home? What is the risk of having a humidity level that is too high or too low? How do you find the perfect level?
Maintaining the correct humidity level is important for comfort and health. It can also help protect your furniture and other belongings from damage caused by extreme levels of humidity. Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity in your home and take steps to adjust it as needed to maintain a comfortable and healthy environment.
The Ideal Level
The ideal humidity level for your home is between 30 and 50 percent. Anything above or below that range can start to cause problems.
Humidity refers to the quantity of water vapor in the air. The ideal humidity level might vary depending on each person’s preference. But generally, it is best to keep it around 40-50%. If it exceeds 50%, the air will feel too moist. If it falls below 30%, it will feel too dry.
When the weather gets cold, a tolerable humidity level might be up to 20%. But again, the comfort level might be different from one person to another. Anything below 15% is typically considered way too dry.
On the other hand, if the humidity level is too high, it might create an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow. In order to prevent this from happening, the humidity level should be kept below 60%.
If you find that the humidity in your home is outside of this range, you can do a few things to adjust it. For example, if the air is too dry, you can use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. On the other hand, if the air is too humid, you can use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air.
You should also ensure to ventilate your home well to prevent the build-up of too much or too little humidity. This can be done by opening windows or using fans regularly.
Even so, you don’t just want to keep your room’s humidity at an ideal level for comfort. It also affects your health and your furniture. Read the explanation below to learn how impactful it is.
If It is Too Dry
Dry air allows some kinds of bacteria and viruses to grow and spread more rapidly, which means your family will be more likely to get sick. This condition may also trigger an asthma attack and allergic reaction.
Your body may be affected too. Low humidity will strip away the moisture from your body. As a result, you will quickly notice that your skin feels dry, your lips are chapped, and your body feels colder than it is.
The air will also dry out the mucous membranes in your nose and throat. As a result, your throat will feel scratchy, and your nose will be runny. People usually catch the flu when the humidity falls too low.
In the long term, a low humidity level would also harm your home as the moisture is pulled out of the furniture. Eventually, there will be cracks in your wooden furniture, like your dining table, window frames, cupboards, and more. You may also find that your wallpaper is torn, and your piano is out of tune.
If It is Too Humid
It is also bad when the humidity level gets too high. Certain types of viruses, mites, and bacteria grow well in humid areas. As a result, you will notice your indoor air quality drop, and how your family will be at greater risk of falling ill.
One of the key benefits of a dehumidifier is that it can help you maintain healthy indoor air quality. By reducing the air’s moisture, dehumidifiers make it harder for viruses, mites, and bacteria to grow. This can lead to fewer colds and respiratory infections for your family.
Additionally, dehumidifiers can also help reduce mold growth in your home. Mold thrives in damp, humid environments and can cause severe respiratory problems. Keeping the air dry can help prevent mold from growing and spreading throughout your home.
Fungi, mold, and mildew will grow more rapidly and damage anything they grow on, such as air ducts, the ceiling, and sofas. Foul odors will emerge, especially from the bathroom, as it is usually the most humid room in the house.
People with asthma and allergies need to be extra careful in this situation. With so many contaminants in the air, their symptoms might appear more often and worse.
An imbalance in humidity level is the cause of many problems we face daily. See how much your life improves when you maintain an ideal humidity level in your house.
For more energy efficiency information, see: Does Your AC Work Harder on Days Where the Humidity Is Really High?
ECM Air Conditioning, with its headquarters located in Boynton Beach, FL, provides air conditioning services within Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County, and St. Lucie County. If you’re looking to have a new HVAC system installed, we’re on-call and ready to assist you. So if you’re in need of an HVAC installation, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an inspection! Our HVAC installation experts will check your ductwork, measure, check wire sizes, and more before making recommendations to ensure maximum efficiency and comfort. Call us at 561-295-1763 or contact our HVAC installation team online by clicking here.
