Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. It is best considered in relation to temperature. As the temperature goes up or down, the capacity of the air to hold water changes.
Suppose the humidity is consistently higher than recommended levels. In that case, excess moisture can foster mold growth, which results in various problems, from health issues to structural damage in your home. Low, unhealthy humidity levels can cause itching and dryness.
Regardless of what type of climate you live in, the levels of “relative humidity” in the air can affect the comfort of your home, as well as the proper functioning of your heating and air conditioning units.
Simple solutions can help you manage your home’s ideal indoor humidity levels. Managing humidity should be a priority for every homeowner, especially when tailoring your heating and cooling preferences to meet your personal home needs.
The best ideal humidity level for your home
You may have thought, “What is the ideal humidity level for my house in the summer or winter months?”
During the summer months, the average humidity should weigh between 30% – 45% (below the 50% mark). Winter may require lower than 40% relative humidity to keep away from condensation on the windows. By staying in the proper ranges, problems can be prevented.
In other words, the proper humidity levels help your home to feel cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
If levels are not properly maintained, your home will feel uncomfortable to live in. You and your family may become susceptible to respiratory disorders or chemical reactions. In addition, improper humidity levels can even cause damage to both the inside and outside of your home.
Getting rid of unwanted moisture in your home is one of the primary functions of the air conditioning system of your home. However, your air conditioning system may not be enough to remove the excess moisture that comes into your home.
The ideal temperature in your home will be specific to your family’s preferences. Maintaining recommended humidity levels at different times of the year will ensure your comfort and safety. ASHRAE suggests a 45% – 55% humidity range to manage health effects and illness.
Comfortable – 30% – 60%
Recommended – 45% – 55%
High – 55% – 80%
Managing ideal humidity levels through the seasons
Whether there is too much or too little humidity, your health and home are affected. Balance is the key.
Tips for a comfortable summer:
- Discontinue the use of humidifiers
- Use air conditioning to get rid of moisture indoors
- Use exhaust fans
Tips for a comfortable winter:
- Use a portable room humidifier
- Add houseplants
- Add a whole-house humidifier
HVAC humidity problems and solutions
HVAC equipment is designed to deal with humidity and all the issues with low or high humidity. We usually consider the temperature setting when we consider cooling or heating our home. We seldom consider the relative humidity that affects how the temperature feels and humidity control.
Let us break down the effects of humidity on HVAC performance.
Humidity & Central Air Conditioning Systems
Suppose your air conditioning system is working efficiently. In that case, it will remove the proper amount of heat and moisture from your living area, leading to the comfortable environment you would like. If not, achieving your desired comfort level will become hard, regardless of the temperature setting.
When humidity is high, it makes sense that air conditioning systems have to work harder to keep the home cool. Your home may feel warmer because the air is holding extra moisture that is not being properly taken away. If you are dealing with an older, inefficient, or wrong-sized system, it may not be capable of dealing with the job.
Knowing that a more extensive capacity air conditioning system will not necessarily produce the cooling effect you would like in your home is essential. Moreover, the system will work longer and harder without providing the desired result. This adds wear to the unit and can lead to higher utility bills. Your system must be appropriately sized for your unique home by a professional.
Suppose you are using your central air conditioning system but not getting the desired results. In that case, you can safely assume that excess air moisture is one problem. Some apparent signals that you will experience if this is the case include:
- The atmosphere in your home feels moist
- There is a damp or musty smell in parts of your home
- Your windows are foggy
These factors can suggest there is too much humidity present, and you should take action to adjust humidity levels.
Conclusion
An efficient air conditioning system will help eliminate unwanted moisture in your home. However, to do this, your equipment must be sized and installed correctly.
When you have an HVAC representative in your home to discuss options, asking about humidity-controlling products is recommended.
A custom-designed and installed HVAC system for your home keep you more comfortable. It can even save you money in the process. Appropriately sized systems have sufficient capacity, run times that are long enough, and ample airflow to pull excess humidity out of your home.
If you are concerned about home humidity levels, consult a trusted, professional heating and cooling expert to ensure that your systems keep your home environment healthy and comfortable.
If you are looking for a professional and reliable HVAC service provider, feel free to get in touch with Rod’s Cooling & Heating LLC. We are just a phone call away – 316 776 4088!
