Have you ever wondered how moisture in the air (or the lack of it) affects your comfort and health? Interestingly, it affects both the health of you and your home as well as your indoor comfort levels in at least 13 ways.
1. Better Respiratory Health
One of the most important factors affecting respiratory health is humidity. Low humidity can cause dry air to irritate the respiratory system, causing a sore throat and aggravating conditions like allergies and asthma. It can also make you more prone to respiratory infections. Allergens that thrive in high humidity, like dust mites and mold, can exacerbate asthma symptoms and other respiratory problems as well.
2. Less Warped Furniture
Wood furniture is susceptible to warping, cracking and splitting due to expansion and contraction caused by inconsistent humidity. Mold will even form on wood furniture and upholstery if the humidity is too high. On the other side, wood will dry up and shrink in environments with dry air that have low humidity. Whether your furniture is upholstered or constructed of wood, keeping a steady relative humidity in your home can help it last longer and look better.
3. Preserves Electronics
High humidity occurs when there is a lot of moisture in the air. For electronics, this excess moisture can be a major problem. Over time, high humidity will corrode electronic parts and wiring, leaving the devices useless. If the air doesn’t have enough moisture in it, there’s a higher chance of static electricity buildup; this is another major problem for electronics since it can fry their circuit boards. Keeping a consistent humidity level in the home is essential to reducing the risk of electronic malfunctions.
4. Protects Paint and Wallpaper
Wallpaper and paint will peel off the wall if there’s too much moisture in a room. If left unaddressed, mold will start to develop. Proper humidity control is important during the application process of wallpaper and paints, too. Low humidity levels can cause both types to dry too quickly, leading to an uneven application. Keeping a healthy humidity level at all times extends the lifespan of these decorative elements, contributing to a well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing home.
5. Minimizes Mold Growth
Managing relative humidity is the most important factor in preventing mold growth in homes. This is because mold grows best in wet, humid places with plenty of water. Maintaining a relative humidity of between 30% and 50% is ideal for preventing mold growth indoors. This controlled setting creates an environment where mold struggles to thrive. Whole-home humidifiers provide some of the best humidity control possible. They can reduce the occurrence of dry skin, sore throats, static electricity, mold and much more.
6. Better Sleep Quality
A lack of moisture in the air can irritate the nasal passages, which can cause snoring and other sleep disturbances. Another side effect is dry skin, which can irritate the skin. The opposite is true for excessive humidity, which fosters an atmosphere in which allergens like mildew and dust mites thrive, making respiratory problems worse and making it harder to sleep. The key to a good night’s sleep is a controlled humidity level, ideally between 30% and 50%. It helps create a pleasant sleeping environment and encourages peaceful, undisturbed sleep by avoiding the worst of both worlds: dry nasal passages and allergies.
7. Greater HVAC Efficiency
Humidity makes it difficult for HVAC systems to cool interior air, which in turn reduces their efficiency. Mold development in air conditioning systems is another potential outcome. Low humidity can put a burden on the system, leading to strain on components, static electricity buildup and a higher likelihood of cracked parts. To maximize the effectiveness of your HVAC system, consider installing a whole-house steam humidifier. It keeps things from becoming too wet or too dry, which in turn improves the efficiency of the HVAC system and makes it last longer.
8. Lower Energy Bills
People tend to feel colder in low-humidity environments, which leads to turning up the thermostat and spending more money on heating. On the other hand, areas with high humidity tend to feel warmer, which in turn increases the cost of cooling. Using a whole-house humidifier and other techniques to manage humidity helps keep the atmosphere pleasant. This type of precise humidity control contributes to substantial savings on heating and cooling costs, creating a more cost-effective and comfortable indoor environment.
9. Improved Pet Health
Dry skin, respiratory problems and itchy eyes are some of the ways low humidity can affect a pet’s health. The increased evaporation of water poses a risk of dehydration for pets as well. Heat stress can occur in pets exposed to high moisture, particularly in breeds that are more susceptible to respiratory problems. Using a whole-home humidifier is an excellent way to achieve proper humidity throughout the home. If you have pet-designated areas, you may want to use portable humidifiers in those spaces.
Different kinds of pets have varying optimal relative humidity levels; however, most domestic pets do well in an environment with a relative humidity of 30% to 50%. This humidity level works particularly well for dogs and cats. Birds sometimes prefer higher humidity levels, typically between 50% and 70%. Humidity levels ranging from 30% to 70% are ideal for rodents, but this can vary by species.
10. Preserve Books and Documents
Dampness from high humidity encourages the formation of mold, which in turn warps and deteriorates paper. Over time, this results in musty and ruined books and paper documents. The inverse is also true: low humidity can make the paper more brittle and crackable. Proper humidity regulation, with an ideal range of 30% to 50%, is essential for preserving paper products.
11. Enhanced Food and Wine Storage
Due to dehydration, which results in the loss of moisture, low humidity can affect the preservation of food and wine. Because of this, the food’s quality may suffer if it becomes dried out or spoiled. High humidity in food and wine storage areas can lead to rotting and mold development. Maintaining an ideal relative humidity of 30% to 50% is critical for keeping perishable goods like food and wine fresh for longer periods.
12. Fewer Flooring Issues
Hardwood and other flooring materials compress and contract in low humidity, which can produce cracks and gaps. This can diminish the flooring’s visual attractiveness and cause structural harm. When exposed to high humidity, wood flooring will expand and distort. To avoid these problems, it’s best to keep the humidity level between 30% and 50%.
13. Fewer Pest Infestations
Pests like ants, spiders and cockroaches like dry areas, so keeping the humidity low keeps them away. If the humidity is too low, though, bugs will come inside the home, trying to find moisture. Termites and other pests that feed on mold love finding homes with high humidity. This can be extremely problematic in areas like Temecula, CA, that experience a Mediterranean climate characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. To reduce the likelihood of insect infestation by maintaining a relative humidity of 30% to 50%, you must invest in humidity control.
Whole-Home Humidifier Solutions
Our whole-home humidifiers are a game-changer when it comes to enhancing indoor comfort. By maintaining optimal humidity levels, our systems offer numerous benefits. They prevent dry skin and respiratory issues, reduce the risk of static electricity, and protect valuable wooden furniture from damage. Moreover, our humidifiers help improve energy efficiency, as well-moisturized air feels warmer, allowing you to lower their thermostat settings. Invest in the well-being of your home and family with We Care Plumbing, Heating, & Air‘s whole-home humidifiers – the key to a healthier, more comfortable living space.
We Care Plumbing, Heating and Air is all about indoor comfort. We offer water treatments, hydro-jetting, AC maintenance, furnace repairs, air purification, humidification and more. To learn more about whole-home humidifiers, give us a call now.
