You may not be able to do anything about the humidity outside, but you can do something about the humidity inside your home. Having too much moisture can lead to problems such as mold, wet insulation, peeling paint, and other issues. If your humidity is too low, certain germs will thrive, allergies will increase, your skin will feel parched, and indoor plants will suffer. So what should your home’s humidity level be?
It depends on the season
First, humidity level preferences can vary according to person, so you’ll want to experiment to figure out what is right for you. However, you will find there is a particular need for higher levels of humidity during the winter than the summer. During the winter, the air is dry because cold air holds less moisture. Also, many homes are using heaters that can dry out the air as well. In the summer, your humidity levels indoors can be influenced by the humidity where you live. Some climates are just more humid, such as Florida’s weather. In general, your humidity levels in the summer should never be lower than 40%, but your highest humidity should never be more than 60%. In the winter, generally, you should aim for 30% to 40%.
Monitoring and managing your home’s humidity
To keep an appropriate eye on the level of humidity in your home, you will want a humidity meter. You can purchase a digital meter to place in different areas of your home. Keep in mind that some rooms will be more humid than others. For example, basements tend to be damper than other parts of the house.
Air conditioners also help lower the home’s humidity and keep you cool, which is a huge perk in the summertime. If you have had yours for a while, it won’t do as good of a job with keeping your humidity levels low. So, consider replacing yours if you have had it more than 15 years for a central air conditioning unit or more than ten years for a window unit. If you cannot afford the cost of running an air conditioner, you can also get a dehumidifier, which can be a bit more cost-effective. Also, running fans, including exhaust fans, can help reduce humidity in a room.
If the humidity level is too low in your home, consider adding a humidifier. A portable one can be easy to use and move around from room to room as needed. There are also natural ways to add humidity into a room, such as boiling a pot of air, leaving wet laundry out to dry, open the dishwasher after it finishes its final rinse, and even keep a spray bottle around the house to mist in the air.
Managing your home’s humidity can be a delicate balance. You want it just right, depending on the season and your personal preferences. Make sure you contact Veteran Air about any of your home air quality needs.
