We spend a lot of time thinking about properly heating and cooling our homes, especially with summer coming right around the corner. But do you ever think about the humidity levels in your home? What is the ideal home humidity? Controlling the humidity inside of your home can be just as crucial to living comfortably as controlling the temperature.
Think you can stand to live more comfortably this summer? Well, keep reading to find out the ideal indoor humidity level for your home. To understand what humidity really is we need to talk about the difference between relative humidity and absolute humidity. Absolute humidity is an equation that looks at the literal amount of mass that moisture has in the air around you.
For the purposes of finding out the ideal home humidity for yourself, this is also the measurement we are going to use. Over time, high humidity levels can cause wood to rot and attract unwanted insects. Too much humidity also causes swelling in furniture and other items, causing them to warp. Air that's too dry can be just as damaging to your comfort, home, possessions and health as air that's too wet. Dry air can cause your skin to feel cold and itchy and can dry out other mucous membranes in your body, leading to sore throats and chapped lips.
Dry air can also increase coughing, wheezing and other breathing difficulties. When humidity levels are too low, your home can suffer extensive damage from cracking and shrinking around door frames and molding. Anything that's made from wood will begin to warp and bend as the dried wood shrinks in size. Wooden floors often creak more and may even separate. Having the right level of moisture in your home's air is critical to feeling your best and creating the perfect environment.
When the dog days of summer bring waves of sweltering heat, you don't have to languish in hot, humid air. Getting Comfortable. What are Normal Humidity Levels? The Hazards of Too Much Humidity Too much humidity can negatively impact your comfort, home, possessions and health. Why Too Little Humidity is Just as Bad Air that's too dry can be just as damaging to your comfort, home, possessions and health as air that's too wet.
In the summer, that level can be higher, between 50 and 60 per cent. So, how do you know your levels? They look and function a lot like your thermostat, but instead of measuring temperature and making adjustments, humidistats measure relative humidity in the air and turn your humidifier on or off in response. If your home is too humid, you still may need a portable dehumidifier to address it. Dixon cautions that older wall humidistats are often inaccurate with their readings.
On the plus side, most smart thermostats display the humidity level in your home although they cannot control it. You could also pick up a hygrometer, an inexpensive device that helps measure moisture levels in your air at home, so you have the right information to make possible adjustments. Understanding humidity in your home can give you a picture of where you may have opportunities to make your place more energy efficient, Dixon points out.
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