Indoor Humidity: How it Affects You

September 8, 2016

Humidity is the measure of moisture content in the air. It's noticeable when there's too much, or too little: hot, muggy days are so unbearable because of the high humidity, and frigid days that crackle in your lungs do so in part because they're so dry. Inside your home, you still have to deal with high and low humidity. Here's why it's so important to keep your humidity balanced:

Low humidity can cause damage to your home, as fabric and wooden fixtures are more likely to dry out and degrade. Dust production is increased in low humidity, which can clog your HVAC air filters, irritate noses and lungs, and even trigger allergies. And dry environments can dry out your skin as well, causing itchiness and even dehydration. Dry environments can also be dangerous to sensitive electronics, as they facilitate the buildup of static electricity and increase the risk of static shock. Some viruses, such as the flu virus, spread more easily in dry air.

High humidity allows the air to hold more heat, which can be a benefit in winter when the furnace is running, but can contribute to heat exhaustion during the summer months. Mildew, fungus, bacteria, and mold all enjoy humid environments, and flourish in them. These organisms can cause unpleasant diseases, as well as triggering allergies in people susceptible to them. Humid environments can also contribute to rot in wooden fixtures, insulation, filter materials, and fabrics

Balancing humidity in your home is a matter of using humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and ventilation in order to keep your humidity from becoming too low or too high. By balancing the amount of moisture in your air, you can avoid the drawbacks of both too-high and too-low humidity, and gain the benefits of higher HVAC system efficiency and greater home comfort.

If your Des Moines home could use some humidity balancing, call us up at Lozier Heating & Cooling! We're happy to help you find the humidity solutions that work best for you. Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Des Moines, Iowa area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: "Name of Artist/Shutterstock"