Humidity – if you are from the South this word conjures up immediate images of frizzy hair, condensation, and air so thick you could cut it with a knife! We have a love-hate relationship with humidity because it can be the hero or the zero pending the maintenance of it in your home. If humidity levels are too high, you run the risk of bacteria and mold growth, damage to structure, or just stuffy conditions not healthy for your respiratory system. If humidity levels are too low, the wood, wood floors, siding and paint in your home may be damaged by dryness, not to mention it can be a source for dry, itchy skin and contracting a cold or infection. Plainly said, humidity affects both structural and comfort issues.
So, why do we care to talk about something none of us Southerners find a pleasant topic? Hot2Cold will tell you from experience that humidity, while not pleasant, at the right levels in your home is a necessity. Relative humidity is the reading used to measure the current level of moisture in the air out of how moist the air could be. For example, a humidity reading of 60% means the air around you is 60% as moist as it could be. Now, finding the ideal humidity for the air in your home is not as clear cut.
The ideal humidity in your home is relative to your environment and family members. Pending the temperature ranges kept as comfortable levels in the house, the clothes being worn, and certainly the time of year and absolute humidity outside the home are all determining factors. In the middle of the winter, as we are now, the air contains much less moisture; so adjustments should be made for interior humidity levels accordingly.
For quick reference suggestions in the winter:
- Outdoor temperatures 20-50 F, indoor humidity levels should not exceed 40%
- Outdoor temperatures over 60 F, indoor humidity levels should not exceed 50%
Here are a few ways to check for high levels of humidity in your home before contacting your Hot2cold representative.
- Visible condensation on windows, mirrors, pipes
- Wet stains on ceilings
- Peeling paint
- Wood floors creaking or buckling
- Visible mold or the smell of mold and mildew
- Walls or shelves that feel soft or moist to the touch
Your Hot2Cold representative might recommend a humidifier or smart thermostat, but also heating unit maintenance for the survey of conditions and cleanliness of burners and heat exchangers, proper airflow and blow operation, electrical components, and safety controls. Contact Larry Sims 318-224-7003 for more information.