Depending on where you live, you may think of humidity in a very negative way. Often, we think of humidity only because it is making it hard to keep cool. However, we want to let you know that a total lack of humidity can be just as uncomfortable.
Here’s something that you need to understand when it comes to your indoor air quality in Eden Prairie: Humidity is all about balance. Too much and your house feels like a sauna; too little and suddenly the very air you breathe feels … scratchy.
Dealing with either extreme is unpleasant. We can help you learn what the ideal humidity level in your home should be and provide you with the systems that will help you get it there.
What is the ideal humidity level?
There is actually an ideal humidity level that you want for your home. Thanks to modern technology, it is actually possible to keep the relative humidity in your house within this level too.
Ideally, a home should have 40–60% relative humidity. This is a balanced humidity level, not too muggy or too dry. Outside this ratio though, you’ll start encountering issues, which we will get into next.
The impact of too much humidity
Most people are familiar with what it is like to feel humid air. It feels like you can’t properly keep yourself dry; it feels like you can’t cool down. It is also the environment that mold tends to thrive in.
Too much humidity in your house will lead to the same issues: a lack of comfort, an increased risk of mold growth, and even added strain on your AC as it struggles to cool the air.
How to address it
The best way to address an excess amount of moisture in your home is with the use of a whole-house dehumidifier. These systems, as the name suggests, pull moisture out of the air until it reaches that ideal humidity level. What’s more, they can help address the humidity level throughout the house, not just in one room.
The impact of too little humidity
You may not think about it, but too little humidity can negatively impact your home comfort level too. Dry air can affect your health, your comfort, and your energy bills. Common issues that come from too little humidity can include increased allergy issues, increased illness, dry skin and hair, struggles to keep warm, and even damage to wood floors or furniture.
How to address it
Believe it or not, there are whole-house humidifiers that you can use to improve your indoor air quality too! Like the dehumidifiers, these are installed in your ductwork where they will help add moisture to the air in your home. This can help facilitate home heating and improve your comfort throughout the coldest parts of the year.
Improving your home’s humidity isn’t something that you can do on your own. Neither is installing a whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier. When you need assistance with your home comfort, you can trust our team to guide you and provide the systems and services you need.
Schedule your indoor air quality services with Residential Heating and Air Conditioning.