Temperature control is the first thing that comes to many people's minds when thinking about ways to improve home comfort. But did you know that having balanced home humidity throughout the year is essential for maximum comfort? Let's take a closer look at the humidity levels you should maintain and the techniques you can use to achieve them.
Finding the Right Home Humidity Levels
Having the right levels of humidity in your home increases your comfort and helps you avoid health issues. In general, you should maintain humidity levels of between 30 to 50 percent in your house.
So how do you know your home's current situation? You can purchase an inexpensive device known as a hygrometer, which will accurately measure your home's humidity. Once you know how dry or humid your home is, you can then take steps to achieve a more favorable humidity level.
What If Humidity Levels Are Low?
Cold air holds less moisture than warm air. It's no wonder that air is naturally dry in the fall and winter. Low humidity levels can cause:
- The buildup of static electricity
- Shrinking of wooden furniture
- Dry skin and air passageways
Use a humidifier to increase the levels of moisture in your home's air, especially in the winter.
What Should You Do When You Have Excessive Humidity Levels?
Summers are naturally humid. Too much moisture in your home's air can lead to:
- Growth of mold and mildew
- Worsening of asthma and allergy symptoms
- Mugginess that leaves you feeling exceedingly uncomfortable
Running a dehumidifier will lower the humidity indoors. Sealing leaks also combats excess humidity by preventing dehumidified indoor air from escaping outdoors and additional moisture from infiltrating your home.
If you maintain the recommended home humidity levels, you'll have a comfortable and healthy living space all year long. If you need help with managing humidity levels in your Fort Wayne home, contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning. We offer a variety of solutions that will help you achieve year-round balanced humidity levels.