Brookline, NH Resident Seeks Advice
The right humidity levels at home can either add to, or detract from, your overall comfort level. Ideal humidity levels should be between 30% and 50% indoors. Too dry and bacteria and viruses can spread quickly throughout the home. Those living in the dry indoor air may experience frequent respiratory infections, exacerbated allergies, and asthma flare-ups. If the humidity levels are set too high, exceeding 50%, your home can become a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and dust mites. This can lead to its own set of health concerns for everyone living there.
A homeowner in Brookline had noticed, despite being set at a comfortable temperature, his home felt overly warm. The culprit was very high humidity levels in the home, as identified by a Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. technician.
Problems that Excess Humidity Can Cause in Your Home
High humidity indoors is a common problem during the warmer weather months. Particularly, when it rains, the moisture can seep into the home through windows, doors, and even the walls. This raises the humidity levels indoors, leading to an increased risk of mold and mildew growth. This is why the bathroom, with its extremely high humidity and warm air, is often a common area for this type of fungus to develop. Properly ventilating the home can make a difference, keeping the moisture out and maintaining reasonable humidity levels. Fixing any leaking windows and doors can also help to keep the humidity levels in check.
If high humidity levels continue to be a problem, you may want to run a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air. This is important during the more humid summer months and can make the home feel more comfortable by reducing humidity levels.
How Your HVAC System Can Help Control and Maintain Humidity Levels at Home
Newer HVAC units have a setting to control the humidity levels in your home. A setting on your thermostat lets you designate the humidity levels that you want indoors. By increasing the cool, dry air circulating through the home, the HVAC unit can reduce humidity levels effectively.
The homeowner in Brookline was able to utilize the humidity setting on his thermostat, reducing humidity in the home to a comfortable level for everyone.
