Allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems are often related to the quality of your indoor air. One component of creating healthy indoor air is controlling the humidity. Everyday activities such as showering, laundry and cooking — even breathing — add up to 25 pounds of moisture each day to the indoor air in your home. The best way to control indoor humidity is with the humidifiers and dehumidifiers.
Although most people associate humidity with physical comfort, unhealthy levels of humidity can affect your home or workplace in ways you may not realize. Artwork, wine collections, photographs, electronics and musical instruments are just a few things humidity can unfavorably affect. Finding and maintaining the proper level of moisture is essential to improving indoor air quality, creating a comfortable environment, maintaining structural integrity and protecting your belongings.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor moisture levels should range between 25 percent and 60 percent. When winter humidity levels are too low and your indoor air is too dry, the air will pull moisture out of anything it can: your skin, your furnishings, your floor and even your plants. The evaporative effect on your skin leaves you cool and uncomfortable. Other physical discomforts include itchy skin, chapped lips and a dry nose and throat. Raising the humidity level raises your comfort level, which allows you to lower your thermostat. In addition to being more comfortable, a bonus is that you can save between 1 percent and 3 percent on your heating bill for each degree you lower your thermostat.
When dry indoor air pulls moisture out of your home, you are left with adverse consequences such as warped flooring, cracked furniture and peeling wallpaper. Dry air also creates static electricity that can lead to troubles with appliances, computers and other electronic equipment. A humidifier releases moisture into the air and effectively counteracts the damaging effects of dry air.
Too much humidity, however, does just as much damage as too little humidity. If the indoor humidity in your home or workplace rises above 50 percent, it can be detrimental to the health of those inside. High moisture levels stimulate the growth of mold and mildew and create a thriving environment for dust mites; each of these conditions intensifies asthma, allergies and other respiratory ailments. Several signs indicate your air has a high moisture content and that a dehumidifier may be the answer to removing excess humidity:
- Fogging of interior windows
- Condensation on mirrors and cold beverages
- Trim, wood flooring and furniture show signs of rot
- Your skin feels sticky
The amount of moisture in the air has a direct correlation with the level of comfort you experience and the security of your belongings. Air humidifiers and dehumidifiers work to correct humidity levels in your home and workplace and keep you comfortable through Montgomery’s cold winters and muggy summers. Contact AC by Luquire today to learn more about improving your indoor air quality by controlling humidity levels.
