Humidity in your home can be a real pain. In the hot summer months, high humidity levels can lead to poor sleep and overall discomfort in your home. However, in the chiller months of the year, dry air can be just as bothersome. So, what is good humidity for a house?
If you’ve been grappling with high humidity levels in your home or—on the other opposite end of the spectrum—air that’s too dry, it can be challenging to know how to strike the right balance.
Below, we’ll discuss the ideal humidity for humans and how to reach the perfect humidity levels for a comfortable home.
What Are Ideal Humidity Levels?
There isn’t just one right answer to this question. Your ideal home humidity levels can depend on your preferences, home design, and lifestyle.
Nonetheless, 30 to 50 percent humidity is considered ideal for most homes, according to the EPA. If your home dips below 30 percent humidity, you’ll most likely experience air that’s far too dry for your liking. On the other hand, if you rise above 60 percent humidity, you risk bacteria growth caused by excessive moisture in the air.
Not Too Humid, Not Too Dry
Now that we know what good humidity for a house is, it’s time to review the signs of too little or too much moisture in the air.
There are ways to check that your home has levels of humidity ideal for humans. If you think your home has high humidity, keep an eye out for high moisture levels. Evidence of excessive moisture in your home can be identified through:
- Condensation/fogging on windows
- Feeling sticky/uncomfortable
- Mold growth
- Mildew odors
- Sleep discomfort
To know if you have dry air, first turn to your home’s walls and ceilings. If you notice cracks forming in these places, including in the paint itself, excessively dry air may be to blame.
Additionally, inadequate indoor humidity levels can lead to:
- Dry skin
- Sore throats
- Nosebleeds
- Dehydration
- Difficulty breathing
How to Decrease Humidity
For humans, ideal humidity starts with a properly-functioning air conditioner. When your AC works as it should, it will effectively eliminate excess moisture and heat from your home. Especially here in Dallas, a new AC can be the difference between unbearable humidity and a comfortable home.
It also might be a good idea to invest in a dehumidifier or install exhaust vents in your bathrooms. Now that you know what good humidity for your house is, try different ways to see if they improve your indoor air quality.
How to Increase Humidity
Alternatively, you might want to increase moisture in your home’s air to combat symptoms of low humidity. If this is the case, try using a humidifier. These devices will add moisture to your home and can help alleviate any sinus or skin irritation you are experiencing.
You can also try adding houseplants throughout your rooms, as pants can introduce some moisture back into your home. Another tip is placing bowls of water on radiators or heat registers. Fill ceramic or metal bowls with water, then place or hold the water bowls on your radiant heating system. This method will create humidity in the air and keep your air moist.
Call a Professional
While you now know the ideal humidity for humans and what good humidity for a house is, you still might be struggling with high or low humidity levels in your home. If this is the case, reach out to a professional for help.
Make the Right Choice and upgrade your air conditioning system today to improve humidity levels and increase your household’s comfort. We’re a Goodman dealer in Dallas, TX, and provide expert AC installation services to fit your needs. For an AC installation, call us at your earliest convenience.