Regulating Home Humidity
“It’s not the heat that gets you. It’s the humidity.” Humidity does make it feel hotter, and that’s true whether you’re outdoors or sitting inside trying to beat the heat. So how do you control indoor humidity? Ace Plumbing has some tips.
How Much Moisture is Enough?
If you’re trying to regulate home humidity, there’s a decent range that’s acceptable. The most common recommended indoor humidity is between 40 and 60 percent. If it’s lower than that, your skin will start to get dry and itchy. Your throat and sinuses may also be dry and scratchy, and you may experience the occasional nosebleed.
Higher humidity isn’t doing you any favors either. More moisture can lead to condensation on your windows. It also contributes to higher rates of asthma and allergies, due in part to higher levels of mold and mildew. Fabrics, sheetrock, furniture, and other parts of your home could be damaged by high humidity.
Is There Help for Indoor Humidity?
The short answer: yes. The longer answer is, the right solution depends on the nature of your problem. Low humidity is solved by a humidifier, which adds water vapor to the air. High humidity is helped by a dehumidifier, which removes excess moisture.
Both solutions can be purchased for single rooms, whether it’s a damp basement or a dry guest bedroom. You can also get whole-home systems.
Benefits of Correct Humidity
Besides health benefits, you’ll find that there are other perks to regulating humidity. Many collectibles will stay in better condition under the right humidity. So too will photography gear, musical instruments, books, and much more.
Choosing the Right Solution
Usually you start the purchasing process by reading reviews and checking up on specific brands. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it shouldn’t be your first step in this case. Consult with an HVAC professional like Ace Plumbing. Like your HVAC system, a humidifier or dehumidifier should be sized properly to save you money and headaches in the long run.
The right installer also matters. If it’s a single-room solution it’s easy enough to take care of on your own, but a whole-home solution can be complicated — especially if the issue can be solved by a simple HVAC tune-up instead of installing more machinery. Our goal is to take the most conservative approach that’s possible while still being effective. After all, finding the right solution isn’t going to happen if you don’t correctly identify the problem in the first place. Sometimes the issue is best solved by HVAC repair, adequate ventilation or insulation rather than a new dehumidifier.
If it turns out that a new dehumidifier is the best available solution, we’ll help you size the system correctly the same as we would an HVAC system installation. We’ll suggest brands we know are reliable, and perform your installation. If you’re concerned not only with heating and cooling, but also with indoor air quality, contact Ace Plumbing at 916-455-4548 today!