Oftentimes, we key in on temperatures as it relates to home comfort, but the humidity levels in your home play a bigger role than most people think. Normally when we hear the word humidity, we jump to the idea of undesirable weather outside. However, it is strongly advocated that your indoor space has a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. What do those levels mean? The air in your house 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’ve likely at least heard about the influence 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 place with heightened humidity. This can happen in your house, too. If there is too much humidity, it makes it difficult 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 provide a break outdoors, too little humidity also has undesirable 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 furniture, trim and even floors. The dry air also affects your body’s mucous membranes, increasing your risk of developing a cold or breathing challenges.
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 measure the air in your home to see what levels you are coming in at. 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 a professional to come out and review the humidity in your home, B&D Air Conditioning can help. You can book an appointment by reaching us at 928-432-6018. Our experts will listen to your concerns and help you determine next steps for attaining the best humidity level for your home comfort.