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Joshua Thompson entered the HVAC industry at age 16 and has spent the two decades since then becoming an expert in the field. He currently works in research and development, providing product and technical support for a team of roughly 75 field technicians and support staff. His career has involved extensive experience in HVAC service, installation, field team management, product development, technical training, load calculations, and system design.
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Homeowners may have other symptoms, such as feeling cold all the time, having difficulty breathing, and being dehydrated. Ideal indoor humidity depends on a number of factors, including whether you have a condition such as asthma and what month it is. The following table shows the ideal level of humidity to achieve in your home based on specific circumstances. There are several ways to check the humidity in a home, including a hygrometer, thermostat, humidistat, and the home humidifier or dehumidifier. If you don’t have access to a hygrometer, there’s a simple DIY test you can perform to gauge the moisture content in the air of your home. Fix leaks promptly and ensure that water doesn’t accumulate in basements, crawl spaces, or other areas.
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Maintaining ideal indoor humidity levels matters because it’s central to occupant comfort, health, and safety. Excessive moisture can facilitate the growth or spread of harmful bacteria, viruses, mold, or other microbial growth. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found a correlation between indoor moisture levels and COVID-19 transmission.
How to Choose a Dehumidifier That's Right for Your Home - Bob Vila
How to Choose a Dehumidifier That's Right for Your Home.
Posted: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Switch from forced-air heat to a different heating method.
Use this guide to learn more about indoor humidity and how to choose the ideal humidity level in a home for comfort. Relative humidity refers to the amount of water in the air compared to the amount the air can hold at a given temperature. If the relative humidity is 50%, the air is only holding about half the amount of moisture it’s capable of holding at that temperature. This not only makes clothes cling uncomfortably but can also damage sensitive electronic equipment. Maintaining a comfortable humidity level in your living space need not be an overwhelming task. "If the humidity level outside is above 45 percent it's probably best not to open your windows, no matter what the temperature may be."
To achieve desired humidity levels, many homeowners install portable or whole-house dehumidifiers and humidifiers. For accurate and reliable readings, position the digital hygrometer away from high moisture areas like the kitchen and bathroom, as well as away from doors and windows. This strategic placement ensures that you get the most precise information about your indoor humidity levels. A key factor in ensuring its healthiness is maintaining an optimal relative humidity level for your house. Something that can be surprisingly difficult to achieve if you don’t know where the baseline lies. "Generally speaking, our body needs to drop two degrees Fahrenheit to sleep comfortably and remain at that temperature through the entire sleep cycle," says Ciresi.
What Is the Ideal Humidity Level for Your Home?
A humidistat controls the humidity levels, while a hygrometer measures and monitors humidity levels. When the humidity level deviates from the set point, the humidistat triggers the humidifier or dehumidifier to activate or deactivate accordingly. Herman says that simple changes, such as using a dehumidifier during humid months or a humidifier in dry conditions, can make a significant difference. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the optimal indoor humidity is 30% to 50%. However, exceeding 60% can lead to issues such as mold growth and respiratory problems. The ideal indoor relative humidity is between 30% and 50%, but this doesn’t mean you must rush out and buy a humidifier if you’re reading 51% at specific points of the year.
Signs and Dangers of Low Indoor Humidity
Dust mites, microscopic creatures that are a common allergen, thrive in humid conditions. They can cause allergies and worsen symptoms in people who are already sensitive to them. Here’s a look at five top-rated humidifiers from Consumer Reports’ tests, one for each size we test, listed from small to larger. Look for a hygrometer with a comfort indicator for user-friendly readability and convenience. If you’ve been exposed to mold, you can clean it while wearing a mask and fix any moisture problems so that the mold doesn’t return. You can also contact a restoration company to clean up the mold if the problem is extensive.
High humidity levels over prolonged periods will cause mildew and mold growth and can result in serious health issues. Humid air helps dust mites and allergens thrive and reduces the life of your AC unit filters. Here’s how to combat excessive indoor humidity and maintain ideal levels.
Boil Water
There could be gaps or cracks that are allowing for air exchange with the outdoor air. For a quality portable humidifier or dehumidifier, you’ll pay between $30 and $250, depending on your needs. If, however, you prefer to have a whole-home humidifier system installed, your investment will run $576 on average. Meanwhile, the cost to buy and have a whole-house dehumidifier installed runs between $1,300 and $2,800. The cost to regulate the humidity level in your home will vary depending on your situation.
Our top-rated humidifier for a large room is the Levoit LV600HH 6L Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier. You’ll get 60 hours of operation time from this unit when it’s set to the lowest mist setting. The Levoit humidifier modifies the humidity level in rooms up to 753 square feet, but if you have a smaller space, check out our list of the pros and cons of different types of portable humidifiers. Most people find a relative humidity level between 30 and 50% is most comfortable.
If you have concerns about your home’s indoor humidity, contact a top-rated HVAC service provider for professional assistance. Increasing the humidity level indoors for a short period of time isn't difficult, but if low humidity is a constant problem, then the easiest solution is to invest in a whole-home humidifier. Before purchasing and installing a whole-home humidifier, consider these alternative methods for increasing humidity. If your home doesn’t have a furnace, McMurray suggests a Large Capacity Whole House Steam Humidifier. “These can be installed to either discharge directly into a room or to rely on an air handler blower to push the humidified air through the home,” she says. Since it has its own heating element, this model doesn’t need to rely on heat from a furnace or hot water connection.
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