Usually, we pay attention to temperatures when considering home comfort, but the humidity levels inside your house play a bigger role than you might believe. Normally when we hear the word humidity, we think of the impact humidity has when we are outdoors. However, it is strongly advocated that your indoor space holds a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. What do those levels mean? The air in your house is holding between 30 to 50 percent of the maximum amount of moisture it can hold.
What occurs when you have too much or too little humidity?
Too Much Humidity
If you haven’t experienced it, you have probably at least heard about the impact humidity can have on how hot it feels outside. An 80-degree day in one location might feel cooler than an 80-degree day in an environment with more humidity. This can happen in your house, too. If there is too much humidity, it makes it difficult 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 offer energy savings.
Too Little Humidity
While drier air might be a relief outdoors, too little humidity also has undesirable implications inside the home. Dry air can make your skin feel cold and itchy and end with sore throats and chapped lips. The amount of static electricity increases too, 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 floors, trim and furniture. The dry air also affects your body’s mucous membranes, heightening your risk of developing a cold or breathing challenges.
What can you do?
Luckily, there are solutions out there to help you watch and control humidity levels in the home. A smart thermostat can help you assess the air in your home to see what levels you are coming in at. 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 qualified technician to come out and check out your home’s humidity levels, 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. can help. You can arrange an appointment by reaching us at 949-204-0859. Our experts will answer your questions and help you determine next steps for achieving the best humidity level for your home comfort.