You’re probably familiar with the concept of humidity. It is a measure of the amount of water vapor in the air. You can feel when the humidity outside is high or low, but did you know it’s just as important when it comes to inside your own home? We’ve got the lowdown on all things humidity so you can stay not only comfy, but healthy, in your house.
The ideal Indoor Humidity level
Before you try to control the humidity level in your home, you should probably know what the goal is. Anything from 30% to 60% humidity is considered comfortable by many. But this is a pretty big window. That’s why there is a more important number to consider.
ASHRAE, also known as American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, has released the prime humidity range. They recommend from 45% to 55% as the best level to keep your indoor humidity at. Their reasoning? It’s the healthiest. Confused? Check out the dangers below of humidity too low or too high.
The dangerous of too low or too high Humidity
Controlling the humidity in your home is not just about feeling comfortable indoors. While that is a large part of it, humidity can also affect your health. If your humidity isn’t within the 45% to 55% range, you could be at risk for:
- Increased susceptibility to cold and flu
- Mold growth
- Dry and itchy skin
And that’s just the start. And the wrong humidity can also be damaging to your home. Electronics can be damaged, paint can chip, and wood furniture can splinter. Long story short, you could pay far more in doctor’s bills and home repairs than simply investing in humidity adjustment measures.
How to raise or lower the Humidity level
If you find that your home isn’t within that golden window of 45% to 55%, then there are a few things you can do. Many of these methods are inexpensive or don’t cost anything at all. It’s well worth the little effort it takes.
If you need to raise the humidity level, try bringing a live plant into your home. They increase the humidity and brings a nice touch of decoration to the room. You could also look into getting a room humidifier for especially dry winters or desert summers.
Lowering humidity in your home is much easier. A well maintained AC system is all you need. Have your HVAC unit checked by a professional when humid weather is in the forecast. And then be sure to keep your AC filter clean and check back on it often. A properly working HVAC system will automatically manage the humidity in the air and lower the levels in your home.
Keep your home healthy and comfy with a few preventative measures and you’ll be glad you did. And if your HVAC system experiences any issues, breaks down, or needs a replacement, give AC Repair Las Vegas a call and see why there’s no one better in Las Vegas when it comes to your AC or Heating