Finding the Right Indoor Humidity Level
It’s not news to anyone living in Louisiana that the level of humidity in the air can affect how comfortable it is to be inside. But indoor humidity can also affect the functioning of your air conditioning and heating systems. The experts at JMB A/C & Heating LLC can help keep you comfortable by keeping up with your HVAC system maintenance and finding the ideal indoor humidity level for your home in New Orleans, LA. Read on for some more information.
Humidity impacts more than your comfort
Maintaining the proper level of humidity helps your home feel cooler when it’s hot outside, and warmer in the winter months. But the effects of failing to maintain the proper level of humidity go beyond physical discomfort. Improper indoor humidity levels in a home can exacerbate respiratory problems and even cause illness. They can also cause damage to both the interior and exterior of the home.
It’s important to keep up with HVAC system maintenance, since one of the primary functions of air conditioning is to regulate indoor humidity levels. However, there’s more you can do to make sure indoor humidity levels are both safe and comfortable for your family.
The effects of low humidity
Indoor air tends to get dry in the winter. Cold air holds less moisture, and heating systems dry the air as well. Low indoor humidity levels can have many adverse effects. Along with dry, itchy skin and hair, low indoor humidity levels can make people more susceptible to colds and respiratory illness, since viruses and germs thrive in low humidity. Low indoor humidity is also bad for your home, causing paint to chip and wood furniture to dry out, splinter and crack.
Raising indoor humidity levels
The easiest way to increase humidity in your home is to purchase a humidifier. Humidifiers can help dry skin, improve your breathing and reduce the risk of infection by increasing the moisture in the air, decreasing the dust in the air and keeping your nasal passages from drying out. Regular HVAC system maintenance will also increase your indoor air quality.
The effects of high humidity
Every homeowner is probably aware of some of the adverse effects of high indoor humidity levels. One of the biggest fears with high humidity is that it encourages the growth of mold indoors. It can also cause woodwork to rot in a home, as well as being muggy and uncomfortable, making it hard to sleep. High humidity can also be a trigger for those who suffer from asthma.
Lowering indoor humidity levels
Regular HVAC system maintenance in New Orleans, LA is the first step to keeping indoor humidity levels under control. Routine vacuuming and changing HVAC filters will help regulate the moisture in your home. If that’s still not enough, you can make use of (or even install) exhaust fans in your kitchen, laundry room or bathrooms to help eliminate moisture. You may also consider purchasing a dehumidifier for the summer months. Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air, and can be very helpful for those who suffer from asthma.
Maintaining the proper indoor humidity levels
Between 30 and 60 percent humidity is comfortable, but the ideal indoor humidity level to maintain in your home is between 45 and 55 percent. That is the best way to manage the potential health impact of indoor humidity. If you need help maintaining your HVAC system or need advice while considering humidifiers or dehumidifiers for your home in New Orleans, LA be sure to contact the local experts at JMB A/C & Heating LLC today.
Categorised in: Humidity