Last updated on July 4th, 2023 at 11:37 am
Summertime is a great time to relax and enjoy the outdoors, but it can also be a time when your home becomes uncomfortable if the ideal indoor humidity is not maintained.
High indoor humidity can make you feel sticky and sweaty and lead to problems like mold growth.
Respiratory issues can also occur in people with asthma or allergies when the indoor humidity is high.
So what is the ideal summer humidity indoors? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the perfect indoor humidity range in summer is 30-50%.
If your home’s indoor humidity falls outside of this range, there are a few things you can do to bring it back into that range.
- Run your AC or Upgrade to a variable speed unit
- Use a Dehumidifier
- Move indoor plants outside
- Install exhaust fans in bathrooms
- Dry laundry outside
How can I measure relative humidity?
The easiest way to measure humidity is with a hygrometer. This is a device that measures the amount of moisture in the air. You can buy a hygrometer at most hardware stores or online.
There are also apps available for smartphones that will allow you to measure the humidity level in your home.
Remote sensors placed in various areas of your home can also give you an idea of the humidity level in different parts of your house.
Problems with excess moisture that is too high
When humidity gets too high, we have to be conscious of the extra moisture in the air and take steps to get it back to a comfortable level.
High humidity can cause problems like:
- Condensation on windows and walls
- Mold growth
- Mildew growth
- Increased respiratory problems for people with asthma or allergies
- Structural damage to your home over time from
Health issues caused by high humidity
Aside from the problems that high humidity can cause in our homes, it can also be a health hazard.
High humidity causes us to sweat more. Under normal conditions, as we sweat, the moisture on our skin will evaporate, keeping us cool. In humid environments, cooling of the body is less efficient. This can lead to dehydration.
In extreme cases, to much humidity can also lead to heatstroke.
In addition, mold growing due to humid air can cause many health problems, including eye irritation, asthma attacks, respiratory problems, skin rashes, and headaches.
Damage to property caused by high humidity
Humidity in a building can potentially cause a lot of damage to property.
Mold and mildew can grow on walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture. This mold and mildew will cause the material to deteriorate over time.
Water stains can also form on ceilings, walls, and floors due to excess humidity. These water stains are not only an eyesore, but they can also lead to the growth of Black Mold and Mildew.
Removing and stopping mold is not the only cost; it can prove difficult to contain the spread and requires professional remediation.
The owner’s best recourse is to prevent it from happening in the first place.
How can I reduce to obtain the ideal indoor humidity – summer?
There are ways to reduce indoor humidity with a few simple steps discussed in detail.
Run your AC or Upgrade to a variable speed unit
One of the most effective ways to control indoor humidity is to run your AC.
If you have an older AC unit, you may want to consider upgrading to a variable speed unit. A variable speed unit can help control the humidity in your home by adjusting the amount of cooling it provides.
Not only does a variable speed unit control humidity in the house it also saves you money on your electric bill.
Regulating the ideal humidity allows you to raise your thermostat during the summer months and maintain a comfort level for your skin.
Use a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier’s come in all shapes and sizes, from single rooms to whole-home dehumidifiers.
Dehumidifiers work by drawing moisture out of the air and into a container that needs emptying regularly.
There are also portable dehumidifiers that can be taken with you when you travel.
If your home’s humidity is outside the ideal range, a dehumidifier can help bring it back down to a comfortable level.
Move indoor plants outside.
If your home has many indoor plants, consider moving them outside if possible during the summer months.
Plants inside the house it’s much like an atrium that raises the humidity levels.
According to healthline.com, specific varieties of indoor plants release more humidity. Plants such as a rubber tree, weeping fig, Boston fern, Jade, Spider plant, and Corn plants.
Install exhaust fans in bathrooms
We’ve all signed the mirrors fogged up after you get out of the shower that condensation built upon the results of excessive water vapor.
Installing exhaust fans in your bathrooms can help remove the moisture from the air and help to reduce the humidity levels in your home.
Dry laundry outside
Perhaps the easiest way to reduce humidity inside your home. You are installing a clothesline outside and hanging your laundry to dry.
When the sun is out, it’s a great way to save on your electric bill and reduce humidity at the same time.
The best way to combat unwanted moisture is by taking some preventative steps. By following these few tips, you can keep your home’s humidity in check and enjoy a relaxed, comfortable summer.
Problems with humidity that is too low
So far, we’ve talked about the ideal indoor humidity level during warm air environments.
During the winter in colder environments, low humidity in your home affects your body as well.
Low humidity can cause the skin to become dry, itchy, and cracked. It can also lead to bloody noses and an increase in respiratory problems.
To combat the effects of not having enough humidity, you need to add moisture back into the air by using a humidifier.
If you’ve moved your plants outside, it’s time to bring them back inside.
As the temperature outside decreases, so does the indoor humidity levels. Bringing your plants back inside will help increase your indoor humidity levels.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to reduce the humidity levels in your home. It’s essential to understand the ideal humidity range in both warm air and cold air climates. The relative humidity for a friendly air environment should be between 30% and 50%. At the same time, the relative humidity for a cold air environment should be between 45% and 55%. These ranges will help keep your skin comfortable and your respiratory system healthy.
If you’re having problems with humidity, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Your local HVAC technician can assist you in finding the perfect relative humidity range for your home and install the necessary equipment to make sure your humidity levels stay within a comfortable range all year long.
