Keeping humidity in the home during the winter is important for many reasons. It can be unhealthy to have too much humidity. Telltale signs are foggy windows, musty odor, and clammy skin. Having too little humidity comes with its own set of risks and discomforts like having a dry throat which can be detrimental to your overall health. Read on to discover the risks of having too much or too little humidity, what the ideal humidity should be, and how you can deal with such problems.
The dangers of low humidity
During the cold seasons, humidity levels drop because the winter air retains less moisture than summer air. For people, low humidity can cause problems such as dry skin and hair, and increased vulnerability to colds and other respiratory illnesses. In the home, this issue can lead to splits and cracks in wood furniture, chipped paint, and damage to electronics.
The dangers of high humidity
High humidity brings its own set of problems, most notably the issue of condensation. Though high humidity doesn’t really come with any serious effects on personal health, it can affect the health of a home when it causes wet insulation, mold growth, peeling paint, and damage to woodwork.
The right humidity levels
According to experts, the right level of humidity is between 40 and 50 percent. This range provides the most comfortable breathing environment for your family, and will also protect your wood furniture from damage caused by either dryness or excessive moisture.
Maintaining humidity levels in a home
There are plenty of ways to keep your home’s humidity levels within the acceptable range, but none are as effective or as permanent as having a humidifier and running it whenever your home’s humidity levels get too high or too low. Consult an electrician on the right type of humidifier for your home.