The humidity in the air plays a crucial role in maintaining your health. Low humidity results in dry skin and respiratory issues, while high humidity causes condensation in the home, causing a musty odor and moldy bathrooms. That’s why it is important to ensure that the moisture in your home is just right! Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to do that.
Proper Indoor Humidity
Before we delve further, let’s see what the appropriate humidity levels for your home are. The recommended indoor humidity level is about 30 to 40% in the winter and 40 to 50% in the summer. Anything lower or higher than this can be problematic for your health.
It is always a good idea to keep a track on your home’s humidity levels. You can do this by buying a simple, inexpensive humidity gauge that can provide you with the right information.
How To Increase Home Humidity
1) Use A Humidifier
Buying a humidifier is the easiest way to add humidity to your home. Humidifiers come in various types. Some humidifiers filter through your entire home, and then there are others that are best suited for one room of the house. Depending on your needs, you can choose a humidifier and install it in your home!
2) Boil Water On Stove
It is another way to create humidity in your home. The boiling water evaporates and circulates throughout the house. If your house is big, keep the fans on low and keep your HVAC fan in the “on” position to encourage circulation.
3) Place Bowls Full Of Water Around Your Home
If strategically placed, water-filled bowls can help add moisture to the air. Put bowls of water on the top of your floor register or a radiant heating unit. This way, the water will evaporate into the air and create humidity.
5) Get A Few Houseplants
Plants aid in increasing the humidity by releasing moisture from their leaves and stems. This process is called transpiration. Hence, it is a good idea to keep a few plants at home.
6) Line Dry Clothes
By air drying your clothes, you let the moisture from the clothes release into the air. Save some energy and skip the dryer; you will see the results soon!
Decreasing Home Humidity
1) Dehumidifier
You can use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air. A dehumidifier absorbs the moist air, runs it through the coolant inside it, and releases the fresh air into your home. Portable dehumidifiers are very useful in rooms that are not air-conditioned.
2) Take Short Showers
By shortening the length of showers and increasing ventilation, you can reduce the moisture build-up inside your home.
3) Ventilate Your House
Ventilation helps in maintaining the airflow in your house. By having an exhaust fan in areas that remain more populated, such as a sitting area or dining room, you can prevent added humidity in the house. Another simple solution is to keep the windows of the house open.
4) Address Any Water Leaks
Any leakage in water pipes will only result in adding humidity to the air. Hence, make sure that there are no leaking pipes in the house. Get the pipes checked by professionals if needed.
5) Limit The Amount Of Plants Inside
Since plants release moisture in the air, it is better to keep them outside the house. Even if you have a few inside, make sure that they are kept near a window to let the moisture out naturally.
By incorporating some or all of these tips, you can regulate the humidity levels in your home. If you need help with any of your humidifier issues, contact our team at A-1 Cooling & Refrigeration. We’ll be happy to help!