Winter is one of the driest seasons out there and it’s almost upon us. Now is the time to start thinking about how you are going to manage the humidity levels in your home. Having the proper humidity levels can affect the comfort of your home as well as help maintaining the proper functions for your heating and AC devices.
Humidity is the percent of water vapor in the air. As air temperature fluctuates the ability of the air to hold on the the moisture changes. Ensuring your home has the right level of moisture will keep your devices and your family both happy.
During the summer the average humidity of your home should be somewhere around 30% to 40%. During the winter the average should run at least below 40% to help minimize the condensation buildup on your windows. If your humidity is not managed properly your home can become uncomfortable to live in and your family may even become more likely to have respiratory problems.
Some other issues caused by low humidity are dry and itchy skin, more prone to illness such as colds and infections. Low humidity can even damage your wooden furniture and floors. On the other side, high humidity can cause mold growth, heavy muggy air, and cause you to have problems sleeping.
How can you get the best humidity results? In summer, discontinue the use of humidifiers, use AC to remove moisture indoors, and employ exhaust fans to regulate humidity. During the winter months, use a personal room and whole house humidifier, and add live plants to help with moisture.
Humidity is more important than most people realize, both for comfort and for quality of life. Make sure you are taking care of your self, family and home this winter.
