Oftentimes, we key in on temperatures when considering home comfort, but the humidity levels within your indoor environment play a bigger role than you might believe. Generally when we hear the word humidity, we narrow in on the weather outside. But, it is encouraged to make sure your house has 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 happens when your indoor air has 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 hot the weather feels. An 80-degree day in one region might feel cooler than an 80-degree day in an environment with heightened humidity. This can happen in your house, too. If there is too much humidity, it more challenging 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 also result in energy savings.
Too Little Humidity
While drier air might provide a break outdoors, too little humidity also has negative 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 goes up as well, so you’ll find yourself getting hit with little shocks every time you touch a doorknob.
Lack of moisture takes a toll on the wood throughout your home, causing cracking and shrinking in your furniture, trim and even floors. 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?
Luckily, there are solutions out there to help you watch and adjust 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 see any of the warning signs listed above, or if you want a professional to come out and assess the humidity levels in your home, Bell Air Conditioning Inc can help. You can arrange an appointment by reaching us at 254-307-9572. Our experts will answer your questions and help you identify next steps for reaching the best humidity level for your home comfort.