Maintaining an Appropriate Humidity Level in Your Home

The home environment should maintain a humidity level ranging from 30% to 50% relative humidity, according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). ASHRAE recommends shooting for the higher range of 45% and 55%.

How to Know the Humidity Level 

Many heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems feature thermostats that monitor the temperature and humidity level. Newer HVAC systems provide humidity controls, but if you own an older system, use a standalone option for monitoring humidity inside your home. For $10 to $40, you can purchase an indoor weather monitor with a built-in hygrometer to measure humidity.

What to Look For in Your Home

If your HVAC system features a humidity monitor, watch for rising levels. Take action by adjusting the thermostat settings or installing a dehumidifier if the readings indicate a level of 50% or higher. Spot-check each room using a portable monitor. Sometimes, one room develops much higher humidity than others, typically bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

Why Worry About High Humidity Indoors? 

Just as low humidity can cause problems, high humidity does the same in an indoor environment. The most obvious problem is how sticky and hot it seems inside a high-humidity home. Coming indoors from the heat should provide a cool respite. It doesn’t, though because even with your AC blasting, high humidity keeps your sweat from evaporating.

Test rooms in which you spot mildew or mold growth for high humidity. Both fungal developments stem from persistent wetness. Mold and mildew damage the walls, ceilings, flooring, or furniture on which they develop, and they create health risks for humans, especially those with respiratory conditions such as asthma or severe allergies.

High humidity can increase pest problems, too. Dust mites adore high humidity. Areas where they establish colonies cause issues for those with allergies. The extra moisture in humid indoor air traps pet dander and dust, which decreases indoor air quality.

Low Humidity Causes Visible Problems 

Does your skin itch with no bug bits in sight? If it seems drier than normal, and you find yourself using more moisturizer, check your home’s humidity levels. Dry skin tops the list as one of the major effects of too low humidity.

Dry indoor air also affects the human respiratory system. Symptoms of low humidity indoors include irritated nasal passages and a dry, scratchy throat. Look for persistent static electricity affecting your clothing if allergies make those two systems an everyday problem for you. 

Low humidity hurts your home physically, as well. Wood flooring, subflooring, and framing can crack and warp if the humidity stays low for a long time. Wood furniture will do the same, and you may notice wall paint cracking or peeling. Even your potted plants could suffer from low humidity.

Contact Us for Humidity Help 

Call or email Tyler Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration LLC for humidity level help. If using portable humidifiers or dehumidifiers doesn’t level out your home’s humidity levels, we can help. Your home may need an HVAC overhaul. Let us help you with a custom HVAC solution that provides healthy indoor air.