Typically, we pay attention to temperatures when it comes to our home comfort, but the humidity levels in your home play a bigger role than you think. Generally when we hear the word humidity, we think of the impact humidity has when we are outdoors. Nevertheless, it is encouraged to make sure your house holds 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 occurs when your indoor air has too much or too little humidity?
Too Much Humidity
If you haven’t experienced it, chances are you have at least heard about the influence humidity can have on how the temperatures feel outside. An 80-degree day in one region might feel cooler than an 80-degree day in a spot with heightened humidity. Humidity can impact the temps in your house as well. If there is too much humidity, it makes it difficult for your body to monitor internal temperatures.
Dehumidified air feels cooler, so you could 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 harmful implications inside the home. Dry air can cause your skin to be itchy and cold and end with sore throats and chapped lips. The amount of static electricity goes up as well, so you’ll experience more shocks when touching doorknobs and other items.
Lack of moisture can harm the wood around 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 coming down with colds or having breathing difficulties.
What can you do?
However, there are options to help you monitor and control humidity levels in the home. A smart thermostat can help you measure the air in your home to understand humidity levels. 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 experience any of the warning signs listed above, or if you want a professional to come out and review the humidity in your home, US Air Heating and Cooling can help. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at 803-220-0761. Our experts will review your challenges and help you determine next steps for attaining the best humidity level for your home comfort.