Typically, we key in on temperatures as it relates to home comfort, but the humidity levels within your indoor environment play a bigger role than you think. Usually when we hear the word humidity, we jump to the idea of undesirable weather outside. But, it is strongly advocated that your indoor space maintains a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. What exactly does that mean? The air inside your home 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 actually felt it, you’ve likely at least heard about the influence 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 place with more humidity. The same thing can happen in your home. If there is too much humidity, it more challenging for your body to monitor internal temperatures.
Dehumidified air feels cooler, so you may be able to set your thermostat at a higher temp and still feel comfortable, which could also result in 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 cause your skin to be itchy and cold and develop 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 within your home, causing 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 monitor and control 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 trouble 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 an expert to come out and review the humidity in your home, AC Sales can help. You can arrange an appointment by calling us at (337) 234-2345. Our experts will listen to your concerns and help you understand next steps for achieving the best humidity level for your home comfort.
