What Humidity Level Should My Home Be At?

Humidity is one of the most important aspects of your home comfort. You know in the Summer that one of the worst parts about the heat is the humidity. You know that hot, sticky, thick air you feel in the Summer? That’s humidity right there. 

In the Summer the humidity rises, and in the Winter the humidity falls. Ideally, you’d like your home to be right around 30% to 50% relative humidity. This is the sweet spot that will keep your home comfortable and healthy. 

I’ve been working on homes and businesses in Havertown, PA and surrounding towns for years. Humidity control has become more of a priority, especially now that we have HVAC products like humidifiers and dehumidifiers that can help regulate humidity year round. If you’d like your humidity taken care of, give us a call at (610) 446-7877, or contact us online. Someone will be able to assess your home and recommend the right humidification and dehumidification solutions for your situation! 

What Is Humidity?

Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air. The higher the humidity, the more water there is in the air. This is why the air feels thicker and wetter when the humidity is too high. 

What Is Relative Humidity?

Relative humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air compared to how much it can possibly hold at the current temperature. It’s normally expressed as a percentage, and is what most people refer to when it comes to humidity. 

What Is Absolute Humidity? 

Absolute humidity is the measure of water vapor in the air, regardless of the temperature. This is usually measured in grams of moisture per cubic meter. 

Why Is Humidity Important? 

• Uncomfortable: The most important thing is you may be uncomfortable! If your humidity is too high, it will make you feel hotter, stickier, clammy, etc. If the humidity is too low, you will notice how dry it is. This makes your skin feel dry, and can cause cracking and bleeding. 
• Health: Humidity has an impact on your health as well. If the humidity is too high, it can make it tougher to breathe, and can promote an environment for mold and mildew to grow. If the humidity is too low, it can allow bacteria to travel through the air easier, and promote more colds and coughs. It can also lead to more frequent nosebleeds or respiratory issues. 
• Home Furnishings: The humidity in your home can also impact wooden furniture, floors, fixtures, and instruments. If the humidity is very high or low, it can cause warping. 
• Your HVAC Systems: One of the other things humidity impacts in your home is the effectiveness of the HVAC systems. When the humidity levels are too high, your air conditioner will work to lower the temperature and the humidity levels. If you have a dehumidifier, the humidity will come down, and the AC will work easier, and more effectively. The same concept applies to your heating system in the Winter.
  

Solutions To Regulate Your Humidity

Humidity impacts your comfort, your health, and your home. And it’s not just during the Summer, In the Winter, too low of humidity can be an issue too. 

The best way to regulate your humidity is by installing a dehumidifier or a humidifier into your home. There are a few other ways as well, but those are the most efficient solutions to achieving the ideal humidity levels. 

• Dehumidifier: A dehumidifier will remove moisture from the air, until it gets to the ideal level. You can use a portable one that treats a certain space, or a whole home solution that plugs right into your HVAC system. 
• Humidifier: During the Winter, you will want to provide some moisture for the air with a humidifier. This releases water vapor into the air, ensuring that your home doesn’t get dried out 
• Use Exhaust Fans In Bathrooms & Kitchens: Using your exhaust fan to push any unwanted moisture out is easy and effective. This is especially true for bathrooms and kitchens where water is constantly in the air.
• Fix Leaks: If you have any leaks, be it from your plumbing, or water getting into the home, seal it up. This could be causing you excess moisture in the air, and disrupting your comfort. 

Regulating Your Humidity In Radnor, PA

If you are living in Radnor, PA, or the surrounding areas, we can help you out. John Cipollone Inc. has been taking care of indoor air quality issues for homeowners and businesses in the are for 3 decades. We first assess your situation, then offer the RIGHT solutions to fix your issue. Give us a call at (610) 446-7877, or contact us online!