Usually, we focus on temperatures when considering home comfort, but the humidity levels in your home play a bigger role than you might believe. Normally when we hear the word humidity, we narrow in on the weather outside. However, it is recommended that your home holds a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. What do those levels mean? The air inside your home is holding between 30 to 50 percent of the maximum amount of moisture it can hold.
What occurs when you have too much or too little humidity?
Too Much Humidity
If you haven’t been in the situation, you’ve likely at least heard about the effect humidity can have on how hot the weather feels. An 80-degree day in one area might feel cooler than an 80-degree day in a spot with heightened humidity. The same thing can happen in your home. If there is too much humidity, it makes it difficult for your body to monitor internal temperatures.
Dehumidified air feels cooler, so you may be able to set your thermostat at a higher temp and sustain comfort levels, which could also result in energy savings.
Too Little Humidity
While drier air might be a relief outdoors, too little humidity also has harmful 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 goes up as well, so you’ll experience more shocks when touching doorknobs and other items.
Lack of moisture can harm the wood within your home, initiating cracking and shrinking in your floors, trim and furniture. 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 options to help you assess and manage humidity levels in the home. A smart thermostat can help you assess the air in your home so you can see what the humidity levels are inside. 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 are noticing any of the warning signs mentioned above, or if you want an expert to come out and assess the humidity levels in your home, Clean Air HVAC can help. You can arrange an appointment by contacting us at 925-233-6238. Our experts will answer your questions and help you determine next steps for achieving the best humidity level for your home comfort.