Most homeowners spend time adjusting their heaters and AC and pay little attention to the humidity levels. The amount of moisture in your home determines your indoor comfort level. When it is too high, you will feel too sweaty, and your skin will feel dry when it is too low. Therefore, you need to find a range that makes you and your family feel comfortable, depending on the season. One common solution is investing in a humidifier or dehumidifier, depending on your location and the area’s natural moisture levels. These gadgets can help you regulate the indoor humidity for optimal indoor air quality.
Understanding Humidity
The first thing to understand is that what the thermostat and other gadgets measure is called relative humidity. This is the current moisture level compared to how moist the air in your surroundings could be. When you see 40% humidity, it means that the humidity level is 40% of what the atmosphere can handle. Therefore, the air still has a 60% capacity to hold more moisture.
Now, you need to understand that there is no specific figure that you must maintain as the appropriate humidity level. Experts say that the typical range is 40%-60%. However, an ideal room should not exceed 50% humidity.
Humidity and Sweating
The aim is to set a level that makes you feel comfortable. When the moisture content in the air is high, your skin will struggle to lose sweat, making you feel uncomfortable. However, when the air is too dry, you lose a lot of moisture, making your skin dry. This is why people feel more uncomfortable in humid areas since the air does not have enough capacity to absorb the water.
During the hot summer days, you may need to invest in a dehumidifier to help reduce the moisture content and increase airflow. When the moisture-laden air leaves the room, it creates room for cooler and dryer air to enter. However, cold winter months require a humidifier to help increase the moisture content. When very little moisture is in the air, your sweat evaporates more, cooling your body more than necessary. Nevertheless, a humidifier can increase the moisture level for better breathing and a warmer atmosphere.
You need to regulate your humidity level depending on the weather and your comfort level. However, investing in the appropriate gadgets can help your HVAC system operate better and keep your home at stable temperatures. You can partner with expert technicians to help you inspect your system when you have trouble regulating the moisture content in your home.