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There’s an upfront cost to a whole-home dehumidifier, and some people struggle to see the benefit. But if humidity is an issue, you’re gambling with your health and comfort, and also risking having to have mold removal down the road. If you’re concerned about any of these, the risk isn’t worth it. Conversely, studies have shown that many viruses stay alive in the air much longer at humidity levels below about 40%.
Humidity control in the house is important to maintaining Healthy Humidity. The effects of humidity can have a major impact on the way you feel. The American Society of Heating Refrigeration, Air Conditioning Engineers recommends keeping your home's relative humidity between percent. A humidistat is important to keep the air from becoming too moist.
Too Low Humidity Levels
For example, if you happen to live in a mountainous region or high desert, your air will be less humid than someone living near a significant body of water. As the chilly winter weather creeps in, many homeowners struggle to find the best humidity level for home in winter. We’ll discuss some tips for maintaining the perfect humidity level in your home during winter. We’ll also provide information on the different types of humidifiers available on the market. The range in which optimal indoor humidity is achieved is, thankfully, quite broad.
The disadvantage of this is that you will need one in every room in order for it to be considered reliable particularly to each room. A good humidity level to maintain is between 40 and 59 percent. When the humidity rises above this percentage, it is too high. High humidity levels cause mould and bacteria to grow in the house, which is very bad for your health. Especially asthma patients will suffer a lot from this.
Managing Humidity in the Winter
Wood, building materials, and furniture are robbed of their moisture when the air is dry. Damaged drywall, flooring, or subflooring due to mold growth stimulated by excessive moisture. Use portable dehumidifiers to remove moisture from humid areas of the home.
Here’s how to achieve ideal indoor humidity levels for the comfort of your family, and the structural integrity of your house. As the seasons change, so do the conditions in your home. For that reason, humidity becomes trapped, causing a sticky feel in the air. Unfortunately, this can breed mold and mildew growth and lead to uncomfortable skin and allergy symptoms. Ahead, discover the ideal humidity level for the inside of your house and several expert-recommended ways to adjust your home's moisture levels. The ideal indoor humidity level in summer is 40 to 50 percent; any higher than that and you run the risk of mold and mildew growth.
Mold growth from high indoor humidity levels
Humidity levels that are below 40% or above 60% tend to present issues that may negatively affect your home environment. But it’s rare to find someone who realizes that these problems can be solved with HVAC solutions. So how will you know your humidity is within acceptable ranges?
An indoor humidity of 30-60% is recommended by the EPA to reduce mold growth. As the snow melts and it starts to rain, humidity levels see a dramatic spike. Depending on where you live, it may very well be twice as humid during spring compared to winter. The normal humidity for this time of the year is 30–60%. Ciresi advises keeping your windows closed at night during the spring and fall, when the air is humid .
Houseplants are also known to increase humidity, but only by a small amount. The best thing about humidity is you don’t have to be scientific about it. As long as you manage not to go over 60%, you’re good. If you’re sensitive to moisture levels, go for 30–50%. This is the ideal range not only for humans but also for most pets and plants.
When humidity is within acceptable limits, it’s much easier to breathe. Opening your windows is a great way to dry out the air in your home assuming outdoor humidity levels are lower. However, don’t go around opening windows when the AC is running, or when the AQI is poor. High humidity has a terrible effect on your home’s structural integrity as well.
Therefore, your living space is essentially sandwiched between two humid areas. Additional humid-generating problems are hot showers, oversized or improperly maintained HVAC systems, overwatering houseplants, plumbing leaks, and open garages. In practice, your 72-degree home could easily be uncomfortably hot with humidity that’s too high, just as it can be too cold in the wintertime if you have dry air. Temperature is what we think of when we consider indoor comfort, but humidity levels matter almost as much.
The holidays are a time for everyone to gather 'round and appreciate the simple beauty of being together. And what better way to do so than by starting a new tradition? We think making Christmas crafts as a group is a great way to enhance holiday cheer. All of these projects are simple enough for any beginner crafter to try, which makes them fun for loved ones of all ages. Turn a set of stockings into an advent calendar with special treats as you count down to Christmas. Old toys gain new life when they are repurposed into tree ornaments.
The air conditions inside your basement or crawlspace directly impact the air inside your home. For example, water in the soil in your home’s crawlspace can evaporate and create humidity that seeps into your home. On the other hand, humid air from the attic can infiltrate the home’s interior as well.
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