What Is Best Humidity Level For Home In Winter

It may surprise you to learn that your Meridian home’s humidity level has a significant impact on how toasty and comfortable it feels in the winter. The secret to everything is humidity, the imperceptible but omnipresent guest. The feeling of your house changes when the humidity levels are balanced. Let’s find out what the best humidity level is for your home this winter.

The purpose of this guide is to break down what humidity is, look at how it affects your comfort, and discover the sweet spot for just the right balance of moisture to keep your home comfortable and cozy all winter.

Understanding Humidity

Relative humidity is defined as “a measure of how much water is in the air expressed as a percentage of the amount needed for saturation at the same temperature.” Think of it like a sponge: cold air is a dry sponge, holding less water, while warm air is a damp sponge, soaking up more moisture. A good example of this is how condensation forms on cold surfaces. It’s because warm, moisture-laden air can’t hold onto all its water vapor when it collides with a colder object. The excess water condenses, forming those sparkly droplets on your windows or that annoying puddle around your ice-cold glass.

Humidity can be classified into three main categories: specific, absolute, and relative. The relationship between the moisture content of air at one temperature and the moisture content of air that has been saturated with moisture at that same temperature is known as relative humidity. The amount of moisture in the air, independent of temperature, is known as absolute humidity. The quantity of moisture in a unit of air is referred to as specific humidity. Specific and absolute humidity are extremely similar. Relative humidity will be used for this article because it specifically relates to the problems that homeowners face during the winter.

The Effects of Low Humidity

Like a chameleon, humidity fluctuates according to the season. The air outside is typically drier in the winter, and it can get even drier when we heat it indoors. At that point, dry skin, static electricity, and an overall sense of discomfort begin to manifest. This is low humidity at work. The absence of moisture in winter makes our skin dry and itchy, chaps our lips, and dries out nasal passages, leading to sore noses and the occasional nosebleed.

The Effects of High Humidity

While increasing moisture may seem like the solution to a low humidity level, excessive humidity can, if unchecked, lead to the growth of mold. High humidity provides the perfect breeding ground for our unfriendly fungal friend. It loves to set up shop in damp corners and hidden nooks, making your home its ideal playground. Mold can be harmful to health, particularly for people who have allergies or respiratory conditions. As a result, excessive humidity has the potential to transform your comfortable house into a hotbed of mold.

Recommended Humidity Range for Winter

The ideal level varies depending on elements such as temperature, the design of your building, and even your individual comfort preferences, so forget about one-size-fits-all solutions. But as a general rule of thumb, aiming for a relative humidity between 30% and 40% will put you in the right zone.

How to Measure Humidity

To achieve humidity nirvana, you will need a few tools, such as a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels and a humidifier to replenish moisture without going overboard. To do its job right, a hygrometer needs strategic placement. Here are some tips on where to put it for accurate readings:

Living room: Place the hygrometer in your living room, the heart of your home. It’s where you and your family spend most of your time. By keeping an eye on the humidity here, you’re getting a snapshot of your home’s overall comfort level.

Kitchen: Moisture can rapidly accumulate in kitchens, especially when preparing large family meals.

Basement and attic: These areas often get neglected, but they play a crucial role in your home’s overall humidity. Mold loves dark and damp spaces, so pop a hygrometer in your basement and attic so you can keep an eye on them to make sure they stay dry and mold-free.

Laundry room: This is a space where mold can grow easily, so it is critical to monitor the humidity levels here.

Hygrometers are sensitive, so keep them away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can mess with their accuracy, giving you misleading readings. Remember, the key here is diversity. By placing hygrometers in different areas, you get a comprehensive view of your home’s overall humidity.

Tips for Achieving the Ideal Humidity

The first thing to do is to invest in a humidifier. When Meridian winter’s dry air is in full force, a humidifier becomes your best friend. It adds moisture to the air, helping to keep your skin happy and your home comfortable. Remember the Golden Rules:

Size matters: Choose a humidifier that’s appropriately sized for your space. If you’re not sure what size you need, consult with an HVAC professional who can suggest the appropriate size for the dimensions and location of your home.

Maintain moisture levels while you’re away: Install a whole-house humidifier that connects to your HVAC system. It will automatically balance the amount of moisture in the house, even when you’re not home.

Placement is key: Put your humidifier where it can do its best work—in central locations, away from furniture and electronics. Add a humidifier to your furnace ductwork so the moisture is evenly distributed throughout your home.

Seal cracks: Seal any air leaks around windows and doors to prevent warm air from escaping. This also helps lock in moisture. Apply weather stripping as needed.

Keep it clean: Regularly clean and maintain your humidifier according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Let in fresh air: While we want to trap that precious moisture, we don’t want to create a stagnant swamp. Open windows for short periods, especially after showering or cooking, to keep the air fresh and prevent mold growth.

Get Help from a Pro

Humidity can do more than just impact your health; it can also impact your house’s structure. Over a sustained amount of time, a too-high humidity level can contribute to wood rot, sagging building materials, and more. That’s why it’s so important to keep your home at the ideal humidity level rather than letting it go out of control. Because it’s such a difficult balance, though, it’s often best to enlist the help of a pro.

Purchasing a humidifier, using hygrometers to check humidity levels, and getting help from a trustworthy HVAC company like Access Heating & Air Conditioning can all help you attain the ideal indoor humidity balance and turn your house into a cozy haven from the winter cold. If you need help sizing a humidifier or managing the humidity levels in your home, we can help. Contact us today to find out how we can help you make your home a cozy refuge from the cold winter air.