Basics on Home Humidity Levels
Humidity levels in our homes are often low (or
too low) in winter months, but they tend to skyrocket during the
summer months.
An amount of water vapor or moisture in the air –
the relative humidity or RH - of around 35-45% is the ideal, but
RH levels of 50%-60% (mainly in summer months) or levels below 30% (in winter)
are very common.
How to track home’s humidity
To track your home's humidity you may acquire a
hygrometer (or humidity meter, or moisture meter). Hygrometers
are very inexpensive instruments ($10-$50) sold at many hardware
stores.
Effects of Wrong Humidity Levels
High levels of humidity (superior to 50%) in our houses may be a
cause of discomfort, moisture, bacteria, viruses, fungi, mites,
or pathogens responsible of rhinitis and asthma. High humidity
is also a cause of damages in your home structures or
furnishings, floors, ceilings and walls.
Low indoor humidity levels (inferior to 30%) causes
dry-air problems: static electricity, skin irritation,
respiratory problems, and problems in timber walls and floors,
cracks in drywall or problems involving furniture.
Causes of Excessive Humidity in our homes
Humidity levels greater than 50% are very common:
condensation is often a sign of high humidity.
Besides weather conditions (and the moisture
entering the building) there are other reasons for these high
humidity levels:
- bad drainage involving the house roof, the
overhangs and the grounds around.
- bad insulation and ventilation.
- home construction problems (flashing leaks from poor control
of rain and snow, wet construction materials…)
- cooking, bathing and laundry (all these devices produce water
vapor, raising indoor humidity) and may demand exhaust fans.
- home's heating systems (they can dry out indoor air).
See, for more information:
Controlling Excess of
Humidity .
Causes of Low
Humidity Levels in
our homes
Besides weather conditions, deficient
ventilation and high levels of insulation are the most common
reasons of dry-home air situations.
See, for more information:
Dry Home Air and Humidifiers
Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers
Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can solve many
problems of unbalanced humidity.
See, for details on this devices:
Humidifiers and dry-home air
Dehumidifiers and their performance
See also:
Moisture and
insulation
Mechanical ventilation: HEV and HRV
Natural
Ventilation: cross and stack
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