Oftentimes, we focus on temperatures when it comes to our home comfort, but the humidity levels within your indoor environment play a bigger role than you might believe. Normally when we hear the word humidity, we narrow in on the weather outside. But, it is strongly advocated that your indoor space has a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. What do those levels mean? The indoor air is holding between 30 to 50 percent of the maximum amount of moisture it can hold.
What takes place when your indoor air has too much or too little humidity?
Too Much Humidity
If you haven’t actually felt it, you’ve likely at least heard about the impact humidity can have on how hot it feels outside. An 80-degree day in one region might feel cooler than an 80-degree day in a spot with increased humidity. The same thing can happen in your home. If there is too much humidity, it more challenging 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 still feel comfortable, which could provide you with energy savings.
Too Little Humidity
While drier air might provide a break outdoors, too little humidity also has negative implications inside the home. Dry air can trigger your skin to feel cold and itchy and develop sore throats and chapped lips. The amount of static electricity increases too, so you’ll find yourself getting hit with little shocks every time you touch a doorknob.
Lack of moisture impacts the wood throughout your home, initiating cracking and shrinking in your trim, floors and furniture. The dry air also affects your body’s mucous membranes, increasing your risk of getting a cold.
What can you do?
Luckily, there are solutions out there to help you monitor and adjust humidity levels in the home. A smart thermostat can help you gauge 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 that offer a solution for getting to the right amount of humidity.
If you are noticing any of the warning signs mentioned above, or if you want a professional to come out and check out your home’s humidity levels, Moyer Total Indoor Comfort can help. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at 484-646-3363. Our experts will review your challenges and help you identify next steps for achieving the best humidity level for your home comfort.