Controlling Comfort and Health with Your Home’s Humidity
Paying attention to humidity levels can improve your home’s comfort
Most people think about their HVAC systems as primarily controlling the temperature of their home. They want to stay cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and comfortable in the in-between seasons. But home comfort is about much more, including maintaining ideal humidity levels inside of a home.
The Importance of Humidity
Air conditioners were actually invented at first to reduce humidity, with a side effect of cool temperature. In 1925, a publishing company found that its printed pages were being damaged by the intense heat of the summer. A 25-year old engineer, Willis Carrier, designed a machine that would reduce the moisture in the air to keep the printed pages from being damaged. Eventually, people saw the machine’s incredible potential when installed in homes: People had new levels of comfort in the hot weather.
Humidity control is about more than just comfort. Humidity directly impacts the health of people living in a home. People are more likely to get sick when a room is too humid or too dry. Too much moisture in the air can lead to mold and mildew in a home. Bacteria and viruses live longer in air that is too dry or humid. In fact, if the average person sits in a room with 20% relative humidity for eight hours without drinking water, they will become clinically dehydrated. For humans, an indoor relative humidity between 40-60% is best for health (meaning that the air is holding 40-60% of its maximum).
Humidity Control
Most people pay attention to the temperature they keep their home at, but many are not in the habit of paying attention to humidity levels until these problems become obvious (throats are constantly dry, every metal surface seems to give an electric shock, noses dry out, etc.).
Sometimes, a quality air conditioner is all that is needed to help dehumidify in the summer, depending on the climate of where the home is located, since the system automatically dehumidifies while cooling. High-end and high-efficiency air conditioners are able to operate quietly and control the temperature with great precision. That means there are no swings between hot and cold temperature, which in turn means no big swings in humidity. Consistent, constant comfort.
Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers
Another option for homeowners is to invest in a dedicated system to control humidity. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can be installed in a home and connect directly into ductwork, completely out of sight. The systems work in tandem with air conditioners and furnaces, providing a home that is at both the correct temperature and the ideal humidity, throughout all of its rooms. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can connect to thermostats for complete comfort control, and when humidity isn’t need, some systems can switch to act as a simple blower, improving ventilation in a house.
Investing in Health and Comfort
The humidity of a home has a direct effect on its occupants comfort and health. Proper indoor moisture levels not only help keep lungs healthy but can help prevent electrical shocks, dry sinuses, and illnesses. And, of course, proper humidity provides a home that is just more comfortable for those spending time in it.
Looking for quick answers on air conditioning, heating and refrigeration topics? Try Ask ACHR NEWS, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ACHR NEWS
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
