How Humid Should My Home Be?

Humidity in the air doesn’t just affect your daily life when you’re out and about—it’s also something to think about inside your home. Professionals say that the optimal level of humidity in your home is anywhere between 30 and 40 percent. Too much or too little moisture in your home can cause a number of problems, both for your personal health and for the wellbeing of your home. Continue reading to learn more about the dangers of humidity from your favorite HVAC contractor in Tampa, FL.

What are the dangers of high humidity?

As you can imagine, too much moisture in the air is a big problem in Florida, especially in the summer months. The best way to combat humidity is to purchase a dehumidifier that’ll suck the moisture out of the air, thus lowering the humidity level inside. Here are a few of the things that can go wrong if you don’t have a dehumidifier:

• Window condensation: A ton of window condensation is your first sign that there’s too much humidity in your home. It might not seem like a big deal at first, but it can eventually ruin the wood on your windows. Needless to say, that’s not going to be a cheap replacement! Purchasing a dehumidifier will eliminate a lot of that condensation and ensure your windows are out of harm’s way.
• Mold: Mildew and mold thrive in humid environments, and can lead to breathing problems for those with allergies. Though you might not be able to eliminate mold altogether, a dehumidifier will get rid of a lot of the moisture in the air that leads to mold growth.

What are the dangers of low humidity?

Though not as serious, too little humidity in your home can also be a problem. To fix a home that’s not humid enough, purchase a humidifier to add moisture to the air. If the problem is bad enough throughout your home and not just in a few rooms, you may want to speak to an HVAC contractor in Tampa, FL about installing a whole-house humidifier:

• Dry nose and throat: Too little moisture in the air can lead to a dry nose and throat. Though it’s not a serious medical condition, living with a dry nose and/or throat is pretty uncomfortable. If you’re experiencing discomfort at home, give some thought to purchasing a humidifier.
• Static electricity: Accidentally shocking yourself when touching a doorknob or something that’s made out of metal is bound to happen when the air isn’t humid enough. It’s not a fun experience, and it can even damage your electronics if there’s enough static electricity!

If you’ve purchased a humidifier or dehumidifier and your home is still uncomfortable, consider calling an HVAC contractor in Tampa, FL. Kenny’s Air Conditioning & Heating Services, Inc. can take a look at your system and see what we can do to increase its performance to keep your home as comfortable and safe as can be. Pick up the phone and call us today to get a quote or to learn more about any of our services!

Categorised in: HVAC Contractor