Imagine stepping inside on a scorching summer day.
The air is dense, sticking to your body like a wet towel. It is difficult to breathe and every movement seems like a struggle. This is the agony of high humidity, where the relative humidity level of your home has risen. Now, picture the opposite extreme: a chilly winter morning. The air is dry and scalding, sapping moisture from your skin and making your eyes itch. This is the result of low humidity.
Both situations emphasize the necessity of keeping the indoor humidity level balanced. It’s not just about comfort—outdoor temperature, season (winter months can be particularly dry), and even your living space’s air circulation can significantly impact the amount of humidity inside your home.
Consider indoor air quality as the cornerstone of your house’s health. High humidity levels resulting in excessive moisture can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause respiratory problems and allergies. Drier air, on the other hand, can aggravate asthma symptoms and trigger your sinuses. Be it a small issue like dry skin or static electricity, the imbalance of humidity is going to become a constant irritant.
The good news? It is not too late to achieve the perfect humidity level. Extensive research has revealed a range (ideally between 30% and 50%) that supports both comfort and health.
In the next sections, we’ll:
- Dive deeper into the science of indoor relative humidity.
- Scrutinize the means of controlling and monitoring your home’s level of humidity.
- Introduce ways of how to keep the indoor environment healthy.
After all, a comfortable and healthy home shouldn’t feel like a revolutionary new method—it should be the standard.
What is Indoor Humidity?
Imagine your home as a living organism that is always breathing in and out. The air you breathe—the air of your home—is a complex ecosystem that directly affects your overall health. The vital factor in this ecosystem is the indoor relative humidity, which is often called the home humidity.
Think of relative humidity as a measure of how much water the air in your house can hold at a specific temperature. Moisture in warm air is more than in cold air, so summer days are often muggy and winter days dry. The outdoor temperature and the season do matter; however, there are other factors at play as well.
High humidity (excess humidity) can be a source of problems. Many people suffer from respiratory difficulties and allergies due to the growth of mold and mildew in wet areas. The dust mites, tiny creatures that thrive on dead skin cells, are also in their element in high humidity. This aggravates asthma and allergy symptoms, hence the cycle of sniffles, coughs, and itchy eyes.
Inadequate indoor air quality doesn’t only harm your health; it can also hurt your purse. High humidity will place an extra burden on your HVAC system by increasing energy consumption.
On the flip side, low humidity (think: winter dry air) is no less of a challenge. Dry air can be irritating to your sinuses, which may in turn result in respiratory infections and aggravation of pre-existing conditions like asthma. Have you ever woken up with a scratchy throat in the winter? Low humidity could be the reason. The dry air can also be a nightmare for your skin, which becomes dry and itchy.
Hence, what is the magic number? Extensive research shows that a humidity level of 30-50% is the most favorable for comfort and health. Finding the right humidity levels for your home is a matter of walking a tightrope. Factors such as climate (living near the sea level can naturally increase humidity) and occupants’ health (asthma sufferers may need stricter control) are important; your decorating choices (house plants can add moisture to the air) can also be a factor.
Luckily, there are ways to regain control. However, before that, you have to know what the humidity level should be.
How do You Find the Optimal Indoor Humidity Level?
We have already discussed the necessity of having a constant indoor humidity level. However, how do you know if your home is in tune? The solution is to monitor your home’s humidity and take action to keep the humidity within the comfortable and healthy range.
The Hygrometer
Your faithful guide on this journey is a hygrometer. This is the device that determines the relative humidity in your house thus giving you useful data to work with. Consider it as a gauge for your indoor air. The majority of hygrometers are cheap and simple to operate.
What do the readings mean?
Once you have your hygrometer readings, here’s a quick guide:
- 30% – 50%
This is the level of humidity that is best for most homes; it promotes both comfort and health.
- Below 30%
This indicates dry air. Time to think about misting the air with humidifier or placing some plants around the house.
- Above 50%
This suggests high humidity. Dehumidification strategies such as portable dehumidifiers or better ventilation could be used.
Is Your Humidity Above 50%?
High humidity can turn your home into a dissatisfying environment, both literally and metaphorically. The good news is, that there are effective methods to deal with excess moisture and create a healthier and more comfortable atmosphere.
Ventilate
- Open those windows strategically
If it is possible, open the windows on the two opposite sides of your house to create a cross breeze. This naturally driven airflow is one of the strongest tools to take out the moisture layers and stale air patterns. To achieve this, do short-term airing at the beginning and end of every day, especially after activities such as showers and cooking that generate moisture. If you are struggling in summer, opening ventilation during the cooler morning and evening when the outdoor temperatures are lower can be helpful. During the hotter part of the day, close the windows and stay with the air conditioning to fight off the humidity levels.
- Exhaust fans are your allies
An exhaust fan is a powerful tool in bathrooms and kitchens, and it must not be overlooked. Activate them during and after those activities when you want to remove the humidity, such as showering, cooking, and dishwashing. Allow them to run for an extra ten to fifteen minutes after you are done with this process to ensure that you get rid of the moisture and ventilate the area properly.
- Strategic fan placement
A fan can be the best solution to deal with humidity. Program them to go in reverse direction during the summer to get the wind chill effect. In winter, direct the airflow clockwise to force the warmer air from the ceiling up. The best way to create air circulation in your house is to put some box fans in strategic positions. This can help to remove moist air pockets and oxygenate your home. Focus on racking laundry dryers or damp basements near the moisture to ensure airflow and drying.
Dehumidify
- Portable dehumidifiers
To precisely adjust the humidity in different rooms you may want to buy a portable dehumidifier. Although these devices have become indispensable for us, they work on the principle of extracting moisture from the air, thus lowering the humidity and making our living conditions more comfortable. Size is a factor to be considered when selecting a dehumidifier. The size of your home will guide you to the right dehumidifier model. A dehumidifier that is smaller in capacity than the space will fail to maintain the right level of humidity. The opposite condition is where the unit is large for your needs and it tends to cycle on and off frequently thus reducing efficiency. Look for Energy Star-certified models to ensure energy-efficient operation.
- Seek professional help
For the cases of long-term high humidity problems, it is better to consult with a Morehart AC and Heating technician. They can evaluate your situation and suggest the most effective dehumidification options taking into account your individual needs and the home layout. This may range from whole-house dehumidifiers, which can be added to your existing HVAC system to provide overall moisture control in your entire home. A Morehart AC and Heating technician can also check that your HVAC system is running efficiently to control moisture levels. An adequately serviced HVAC system can be a key factor in managing the humidity in your home.
Adjust Your Lifestyle
- Shorter showers, cooler temperatures
Go for shorter showers, and reduce the water temperature a little bit. This will produce less steam and therefore less moisture will be added into your bathroom air. Hang clothes to dry where you can instead of using a clothes dryer. Vented dryers are well known for adding moisture and heat to your laundry room and even to your entire home if the humidity is a problem, which can worsen the situation. However, if you use a dryer, ensure you vent it directly outside to remove the moisture from your house. Try using moisture-control laundry settings on your dryer if it is available.
- Kitchen ventilation
When you cook, use the exhaust fan over your stovetop to keep the steam and cooking vapors from going into your home. To minimize the amount of steam released, cover pots and pans while cooking.
- Houseplants
Though houseplants can give a touch of beauty and life to your home, mind where you place moisture-loving plants. Cluster them together in places with good air circulation, and do not place them directly in front of air conditioning vents where they can be stressed by the cool drafts. Although they do add a little moisture to the air, it’s important to remember that houseplants can’t really help with severe humidity problems.
Is Your Humidity Below 30%?
Dry winter air can be a real horror for your house’s climate and health. Discomforts such as itchy skin, scratchy throats and exacerbated allergies are just a few of the issues that can be caused by low humidity. Fortunately, there are proven methods to add moisture to the air and thus create a favorable and healthy atmosphere.
Humidify
A humidifier is the direct way of adding moisture to the dry air. There are two main types: cool mist humidifiers and warm mist humidifiers. Humidifiers with cool mist are inexpensive and are a good alternative for adding moisture without increasing the room temperature. Warm mist humidifiers are especially useful for people who live in really dry areas or for those who generally dislike cool mist. On the other hand, warm mist humidifiers may sometimes contribute to the growth of bacteria and mold if not properly kept. Depending on the type you select, regular cleaning and proper maintenance are important for safe and efficient operation.
Call the experts
For the best humidity control throughout the whole house, a whole-house humidifier might be the best solution. These units are designed to work in tandem with your existing HVAC system and will automatically add moisture to the air when it is needed. Whole-house humidifiers have many advantages over portable humidifiers. They deliver constant humidity regulation throughout your house, therefore, you will no longer need to have different units in each room. Besides, they are usually low-maintenance as they are refilled from your home’s water supply.
When you are considering a whole-house humidifier, check with a qualified Morehart AC and Heating technician. They are capable of evaluating your issues and suggesting the most suitable type and size of humidifier for your home and HVAC system.
Adjust Your Lifestyle
- Place plants around
While the houseplants won’t bring the rain, they can give your living room a touch of life and a little bit of added moisture. Although they are good at increasing the total moisture content in the air, their effectiveness is limited. When you are buying plants, choose those that are comfortable with high humidity, for example, the fern, peace lily, and spider plants. Group these plants together in a preferred location with adequate air circulation to get the most humidity out of them. Be aware of their positioning, they should not be placed directly in front of air conditioning vents or heating vents where they may be stressed by drafts.
- Take cooler showers
Even though a hot shower is the ultimate relaxation, it, when it comes down to that, can worsen humidity problems. Opt for shorter, cool showers, and this will reduce the amount of moisture that is removed from the air.
- Dry your clothes outside
Indoor clothes drying, especially in winter, can be a contributor to the increase of moisture levels in the air. However, the lack of proper ventilation opens the door to the infestation of mold. Remember to provide adequate ventilation in the room where you are drying the clothes, and use a dehumidifier as a countermeasure to the condensation buildup.
A balanced approach is here the most important principle. While the purpose of humidifying during a dry winter is to add moisture, you should not overdo it as well. Adjust the humidity levels of your home periodically and update the strategies accordingly. A well-trained Morehart AC and Heating employee can assist you in maintaining optimal humidity levels that are tailored to your needs and climate throughout the year and give you knowledge on the most suitable approaches.
| Issue | Solution | Considerations | Expertise from Morehart AC and Heating |
| High Humidity | Increased Ventilation Strategic Fan Placement Portable Dehumidifiers Whole-House Dehumidifiers (consult Morehart AC) | Climate (humid vs. dry) Moisture sources (bathrooms, cooking) | Dehumidifier sizing and installation HVAC system maintenance |
| Low Humidity | Humidifiers (cool mist vs. warm mist) Whole-House Humidifiers (consult Morehart AC) Strategic Plant Placement Drying Clothes Strategically | Health conditions (asthma, eczema) Desired comfort level | Humidifier type and maintenance Whole-house humidifier integration |
This guide has focused on general strategies for managing indoor humidity. However, we understand that some readers may have unique concerns. Perhaps you live in a climate with persistently high humidity or exceptionally dry air. You may have specific health conditions, like asthma or eczema, that require stricter humidity control. Or perhaps you’re an avid musician concerned about the impact of humidity on your delicate instruments.
Here at Morehart AC and Heating, we understand that one-size-fits-all solutions rarely work regarding indoor comfort. We encourage readers with unique concerns to contact us for a personalized consultation. Our qualified technicians can assess your specific needs, consider factors like your climate and home’s layout, and recommend the most effective strategies for achieving optimal humidity control.
