Indoor Humidity: What You Should Know

While Florida deals with high levels of humidity all year round, it’s especially oppressive during the summer when storms increase the moisture level in the air. What’s worse is that high humidity levels make the already burning summer temperatures feel even more like an inferno. And while you may retreat indoors to escape the sun, it’s likely for humidity levels to be higher inside than they should be.

Some home humidity is necessary to keep the air inside from being too dry. But too much can lead to a host of issues that can affect both your comfort and health. Learn more about how high humidity levels can affect you and your home, and follow these tips to keep humidity levels indoors in check.

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How High Humidity Levels Can Affect You

If humidity levels are too low, you can end up feeling dry, have a sore throat, and your nose might even become prone to bleeding from dry cracks inside. However, too much humidity can have opposite effects, leaving you feeling like you’re drowning in your own home. Knowing the effects of high humidity can help you to determine if the issue needs to be addressed.

• Increases Your Body Temperature: Sweating is our body’s natural mechanism for cooling down. However, if the air around you already has excess moisture, the sweat on your skin can’t evaporate efficiently, leaving you feeling hot and sticky.
• The AC Works Harder: Because you’re feeling warmer, you’re likely to turn the air down to compensate. The extra use can put a strain on your air conditioning unit, especially if it’s an older model.
• Can Trigger Or Worsen Allergies: The increased humidity in your home can be particularly aggravating for occupants who suffer from allergies. This can even potentially lead to upper respiratory infections if the symptoms are severe enough.
• Can Damage Parts Of Your Home: If the humidity is too high, some furniture, wall coverings, and flooring can absorb the water and become damaged.
• Can Promote Mold Growth: Once water has seeped in, mold spores can take root and start spreading. This can cause additional allergy issues and, if left untreated, can create even more health complications and require mold remediation.

What Is A Good Humidity Level For A House?

In general, indoor humidity should be around 45% to 55%. However, if it isn’t moderated, indoor humidity can reach over 90% during Florida’s rainy season. So how do you know for sure what the levels of humidity are in your home? It might seem complicated, but you only need a hygrometer, which can be purchased online or at home improvement stores. The hygrometer will be able to tell you what percent humidity is in your home.

Controlling Humidity Levels

The most simple way of dealing with humidity is investing in a dehumidifier. You can purchase one for individual rooms or upgrade to a whole house system. If you don’t want to spend money on a dehumidifier, the good news is that there are some DIY methods for controlling it. An easy way to reduce humidity is to take shorter, colder showers. However, most people don’t like cold, quick showers, and cold showers can actually pose some health risks if you have certain conditions.

You can also try turning on your bathroom ventilation system whenever you are taking a shower or bath. Likewise, use the ventilation system in your stove when cooking food. While this can get noisy, it will pull extra humidity from the air. You can also try using a desiccant, such as a silica gel, to absorb extra moisture. However, these can be hazardous if ingested, so this may not be a good solution for homes with pets or children.

If you’ve been dealing with high humidity levels for a while, it may be a good idea to consult with water damage specialists to see if water absorbed in your home is contributing to the humidity levels. They will be able to advise you on the amount of damage and can remove the water to help decrease humidity.