As Midwesterners, we’re no strangers to humidity—both high and low. The amount of moisture in the air outside can have a big impact on the humidity levels inside your home. Depending on the time of year and your own personal preference, the ideal indoor humidity level should range from 30 to 50 percent (relative humidity).
It’s important to manage indoor humidity levels both for the health and happiness of your family and pets and to protect crucial aspects of your home, such as flooring. Our knowledgeable heating and cooling experts at Wyckoff have put together your guide to indoor humidity levels during the warmest and coolest months of the year.
Summer Humidity
When the humidity levels in your home reach over 45 percent, it can leave rooms feeling clammy and sticky. But high humidity in your home isn’t just uncomfortable—it can also lead to health issues and higher HVAC bills.
Excessive humidity can lead to condensation on your windows, bacteria, mold growth, and mildew inside your home. Mold spores can become airborne and be inhaled into the lungs, which can cause allergies and result in respiratory conditions like asthma.
High humidity in the air can also damage your home by rotting the framing, roofing, and flooring.
How to Reduce Indoor Humidity in the Summer
When the sticky heat from our Iowa summers starts to have a negative effect on the comfort of your home, there are a few ways to combat the moisture.
Run a Dehumidifier
This may sound like a no-brainer, but as soon as you feel the air in your home getting thick with humidity, you should invest in a dehumidifier. Whether you buy a stand-alone unit or have a whole-house dehumidifier installed in your HVAC system, this step will be the most beneficial to maintain the comfort of your home in the summer.
Utilize Fans & Ventilation
Turn on your ceiling fans, buy floor fans, and use exhaust fans to help reduce the temperature and humidity in your home. As fans circulate the air in your home, the breeze evaporates moisture, which will cool your home.
Install a New Air Conditioner
If your air conditioner is getting old, it may struggle to battle the overwhelming heat and humidity of summer. If you notice your unit malfunctions often from being overworked, it’s time to schedule a replacement service with Wyckoff. A newer air conditioner will be able to cool your home much more efficiently and help keep humidity levels in check.
Winter Humidity
In contrast to the clamminess of summer, Iowa winters can bring about uncomfortably dry conditions. Indoor humidity levels can drop between 25 to 35 percent in the winter months and raising the humidity in your home can be a challenge in cold climates.
How to Increase Indoor Humidity in the Winter
When the outdoor temperatures start to plummet and you feel the dryness of the air chafing your skin, it’s time to take action against low humidity in your home.
Get a Humidifier
Just like a dehumidifier is your obvious answer in the summer, a humidifier is the first step to adding moisture to your home in the winter. There are a few different types of humidifiers you can buy:
- Warm mist humidifiers (steam vaporizers)
- Cool mist humidifiers
- Whole-home humidifiers
Seal Your Home from the Cold
Before the harshest months of winter, you should consider upgrading your doors, windows, and weather stripping to keep moisture from leaking outside your home. Installing newer windows—and potentially a new heating system—can also save you money on your energy bills since your home won’t need to regenerate as much lost warmth.
Reach Out to Wyckoff Today
If you have questions or concerns about your indoor air quality and humidity levels throughout the year, call Wyckoff! Our team will be able to advise you on the best course of action to ensure your home remains comfortable all year long. Reach out today to talk to a technician and schedule a service appointment!