What’s the right amount of in-home humidity for both comfort and health? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping indoor humidity levels in the range of 30% to 50% for both health and comfort. That can be a challenge when outdoor levels are high and factors such as cooking, bathing, washing clothes — and even the number of occupants residing in the house — contribute to indoor humidity.
The Plus Side
Adequate humidity inside a home helps eliminate dry skin and soothes the eyes, nose, and throat. Maintaining a healthy humidity level can also prevent asthma symptoms and other respiratory issues in susceptible individuals. In winter, indoor humidity also makes the home feel warmer.
When Humidity Is Too High
An overly moist indoor environment due to chronic high humidity can spawn health issues associated with bacteria, toxic mold growth, fungus, and dust mites. Indoor air quality may stagnate, causing airborne allergens to proliferate. Comfort is also impacted, as a house feels naturally warmer when humidity is high. This can lead to poor sleep quality and low energy levels.
Keeping Outdoor Humidity Out
In warm weather, humid outdoor air naturally seeps into the drier, cooler interior of a home. Gaps in the structure of a house are major factors that allow humidity to infiltrate. Weatherstripping around doors and windows should be inspected and replaced if worn or missing. Check the exterior of the house for openings around pipes or other penetrations that may allow outside air to enter the house.
Reduce the Indoor Sources
Bathrooms and kitchens are major contributors to indoor humidity. Install ventilation fans in these areas and make sure the fan vents indoor air through a dedicated duct all the way to the exterior of the house — not merely vented into the attic.
A Whole-House Solution
Where high humidity is an ongoing issue, consider installing a whole-home dehumidifier. This unit, located in the attic or crawl space is connected to HVAC ductwork, and continuously extracts humidity from the entire volume of household airflow to maintain desired settings.
For more information about effectively controlling in-home humidity, contact the air-quality professionals at Jackson & Sons.
