Winter weather tends to dry out the skin as there is less moisture content in the air. Conversely, summer is often associated with “muggy” weather and higher moisture content. High and low humidity not only feel different, but have different effects on our homes and businesses.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the ideal humidity levels in your building should be between 30-50%, while the EPA believes that 30-60% is acceptable. Too much humidity and you risk mold growth and other risks. Too little humidity and you’re at risk of asthma attacks, cracked paint, and more. There is a fine line between the two and we’ll show you how to achieve it.
What is Humidity?
Humidity is the moisture content in the air around us and can differ building to building. Fans, airflow, ventilation, and outside elements can affect the humidity levels in a building greatly, with higher and lower levels causing a wide range of issues. Finding the perfect mix can give you a healthier environment and lead to less health concerns and deterioration risks.
A hygrometer is used to measure the humidity levels across your building and should be used in different environments to assess if some rooms have too much or too little airflow and moisture content.
Relative and Absolute Humidity
Before we dive in, there are two terms that you may see in relation to humidity. Relative humidity is the amount of water in the air vs. how much it is capable of holding. This is likely the term you’ve heard the most in relation to humidity. Absolute humidity is essentially the amount of water in the air. Once you know the absolute humidity of your building, you can determine the relative humidity.
High and Low Humidity
High humidity is considered in the 50-60% range and tends to cause fogging on the windows. Cooking, showering, doing the dishes, and high external humidity are all factors that can contribute to higher levels of moisture. High humidity can cause a variety of issues, such as:
Mold, Rot, and Mildew
Respiratory Issues
Structural Damage
Interrupted Sleep
Pest Infestations
Alternatively, low humidity isn’t ideal either. This is usually categorized as anything below 30% moisture content and can lead to problems like:
Static Electricity
Dry, Irritated Skin
Asthma
Susceptibility to Illnesses
Cracking, Shrinking Wood/Paint
Controlling Your Humidity
Depending on the degree of humidity in your home or building, you’ll need to find a way to control it. Lowering the humidity in your home could be as simple as installing a dehumidifier, taking cooler showers, running the AC, or changing out your HVAC filters regularly.
Increasing the humidity in your home is equally as simple and can be done by installing a humidifier, simmering a pot of water, or running a hot bath or shower.
Increasing or decreasing humidity in a business building is a different challenge as this relies more on structural integrity and using proper HVAC systems to regulate moisture content in the air. If your building is too dry, a humidifier is a temporary solution while you determine next steps like improving the ventilation of the building. If humidity is too high, installing dehumidifiers, updating your ventilation infrastructure, and cleaning your HVAC filters will go a long way in improving conditions across the building.
HVAC Expertise to Maintain Your Humidity
Saylors Systems Heating and Air understands the importance of a properly-installed and maintained HVAC system. If everything is set up and maintained correctly, the humidity in your home or business will be just right.
Our HVAC expertise spans 16+ years and encompasses residential and commercial HVAC. We’ve seen it all and know exactly what your building needs to be as comfortable and efficient as possible. To get your humidity under control, contact the professionals at Saylors Systems Heating and Air today.
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