Usually, we pay attention to temperatures when considering home comfort, but the humidity levels within your indoor environment play a bigger role than you think. Generally when we hear the word humidity, we jump to the idea of undesirable weather outside. But, it is strongly advocated that your indoor space has a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. How do you measure those levels? The air inside your home is holding between 30 to 50 percent of the maximum amount of moisture it can hold.
What happens when you have too much or too little humidity?
Too Much Humidity
If you haven’t been in the situation, you have probably at least heard about the effect humidity can have on how the temperatures feel outside. An 80-degree day in one location might feel cooler than an 80-degree day in place with heightened humidity. The same thing can happen in your home. 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 sustain comfort levels, which could offer 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 cause your skin to be itchy and cold and result in sore throats and chapped lips. The amount of static electricity goes up as well, so you’ll notice that touching some items such as doorknobs will give you a little shock.
Lack of moisture takes a toll on the wood throughout 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 steps to help you monitor and manage humidity levels in the home. A smart thermostat can help you measure the air in your home to see what levels you are coming in at. And if you are having difficulties getting in the 30 to 50 percent range for humidity, there are humidifiers and dehumidifiers that can provide additional support.
If you are noticing any of the warning signs mentioned above, or if you want a qualified technician to come out and check out your home’s humidity levels, Gilray Heating and Cooling can help. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at 715-301-0727. Our experts will answer your questions and help you determine next steps for reaching the best humidity level for your home comfort.