What Is The Ideal Humidity Level For Your Home?

When most of us think about humidity, it’s that uncomfortable hot, humid day in the Summer. It makes you feel sticky, sweaty, muggy, and uncomfortable. Luckily, there are ways to regulate the humidity in your home in the summer and the winter that will promote a comfortable, healthy environment.
We have been working at the Jersey Shore for decades, and we know that humidity can become a big issue in when it gets hot out. Usually you depend on your air conditioning system to cut through the humidity, and cool the place off. Today, we have technology and dehumidification equipment that can reduce the humidity, and also ease the burden on your AC.
In this article, we will discuss what humidity is, and what the ideal humidity levels are for your home. If you’d like some help with your humidity, give us a call at (609) 390-3907!
Contact Us About Your Home Humidity
What Is Humidity?
Humidity is the concentration of water vapor present in the air. It is usually expressed as a percentage, with 100% humidity meaning the air is fully saturated with water vapor and cannot hold any more, leading to the possibility of rain. There are two main types of humidity measurements:
- Absolute Humidity: The actual amount of water vapor in the air, regardless of the air’s temperature.
- Relative Humidity: The amount of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount the air can hold at a given temperature. This is the most commonly used measure and is expressed as a percentage.
How Humid Should It Be In My Home?
Most people think you want there to be no humidity at all, but that’s not true! The ideal humidity level in a home typically ranges between 30% and 50%. Maintaining this range helps ensure you are comfortable, your home is preserved, and your home is a healthy place to be. Here’s a breakdown of why this range is important:
- Below 30%: Air that is too dry can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, and static electricity. It can also damage wooden furniture and flooring by causing them to crack. If you have wooden fixtures, floors, instruments, etc. you won’t want it to be too low of humidity. This is a problem more so in the winter.
- Above 50%: High humidity levels can promote mold growth, dust mites, and other allergens. It can also make your home feel stuffy, sticky, and uncomfortable. If there is excessive moisture, it could also lead to condensation, and damage to areas of your home or furniture.
What Does Humidity Affect?
You already know that humidity makes you feel hot, sticky, and generally uncomfortable, but it can also impact a few other aspects of your home and health too.
- Comfort: As you know, high humidity can make you feel uncomfortable in the summer. That thick, muggy heat. Yeah, that humidity. In the winter, too low of humidity can cause dry skin and irritation. Heck there have even been sleep studies performed that show ideal humidity leads to a better night’s rest.
- Health: You want to feel comfortable of course, but high humidity can also be a problem for your health. If you have respiratory issues, allergies, or asthma, it can make it tougher to breathe comfortably. High humidity can also lead to mold growth, which can exacerbate these conditions. You don’t want the air to create a breeding ground for bacteria to grow. Proper humidity levels make the air more comfortable and
- Home Preservation: Maintaining the right humidity level helps preserve your home’s structural integrity, preventing issues like wood warping and paint peeling. If you have wooden instruments or furniture, they could also be affected by high humidity as well.
- Energy Efficiency: Proper humidity levels can make your heating and cooling systems more efficient, saving energy and reducing utility bills. If your humidity is too high, it makes it harder on the AC to cool the space off. Then in the winter, if the humidity is too low, it makes it more difficult to heat.
How Can I Regulate My Home Humidity?
There are several ways to regulate humidity in your home:
- Use a Humidifier/Dehumidifier: Humidifiers add moisture to the air, while dehumidifiers remove excess moisture. You can use a portable version of these, but we recommend whole home solutions that plug right into your duct system. This way the whole home is treated without interruption.
- Ventilation: Proper ventilation in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements can help control humidity. Use exhaust fans and open windows to allow air to circulate.
- Houseplants: Some houseplants can help absorb excess moisture from the air, acting as natural dehumidifiers. They also make the space more aesthetically pleasing!
Read More About Adjusting Your Humidity
Is Humidity Bad?
The answer is no, humidity is not bad; it’s about balance. Both too much and too little humidity can cause problems. If you have the right amount of humidity, then you can achieve the most ideal comfort levels.
- Too High: Can lead to mold growth, dust mites, and other allergens, which can affect your health and home. High humidity also makes you feel hot, sticky, muggy, and uncomfortable!
- Too Low: Can cause dryness-related issues such as skin irritation, respiratory problems, and damage to wooden furniture and flooring. It also creates more opportunity to catch a cold or a virus.
Regulating Your Humidity At The Jersey Shore
Maintaining the ideal humidity level is crucial for creating a comfortable, healthy, and efficient home environment. Broadley’s has professional experts who are able to assess your home, and make the right recommendations for humidity solutions to keep your space comfortable. Give us a call at (609) 390-3907, or visit us online! We’ll be able to make sure your home is at the right humidity levels all year long!