Oftentimes, we focus on temperatures as it relates to home comfort, but the humidity levels inside your house play a bigger role than you think. Generally when we hear the word humidity, we jump to the idea of undesirable weather outside. However, it is encouraged to make sure your house maintains a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. What exactly does that mean? The air in your house is holding between 30 to 50 percent of the maximum amount of moisture it can hold.
What takes place when you have too much or too little humidity?
Too Much Humidity
If you haven’t experienced it, you’ve likely at least heard about the impact 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. This can happen in your house, too. If there is too much humidity, it is harder 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 maintain your home comfort, which could provide you with energy savings.
Too Little Humidity
While drier air might be a relief outdoors, too little humidity also has harmful implications inside the home. Dry air can trigger your skin to feel cold and itchy and result in sore throats and chapped lips. The amount of static electricity increases too, so you’ll notice that touching some items such as doorknobs will give you a little shock.
Lack of moisture takes a toll on the wood within your home, creating cracking and shrinking in your floors, trim and furniture. The dry air also affects your body’s mucous membranes, enhancing your risk of coming down with colds or having breathing difficulties.
What can you do?
Luckily, there are solutions out there to help you assess and adjust humidity levels in the home. A smart thermostat can help you gauge the air in your home so you can see what the humidity levels are inside. And if you are having challenges getting in the 30 to 50 percent range for humidity, there are humidifiers and dehumidifiers to help improve the situation.
If you are noticing any of the warning signs listed above, or if you want a qualified technician to come out and assess the humidity levels in your home, A&M Heating & Cooling LLC can help. You can arrange an appointment by contacting us at 520-200-1048. Our experts will answer your questions and help you understand next steps for reaching the best humidity level for your home comfort.