Here in Florida, humidity is a year-round fact of life. But did you know that indoor moisture levels can have a major impact on your home’s comfort and air quality? Maintaining proper humidity in your home is crucial for optimal well-being. Read on to learn more about humidity, its effects, and what you can do to control it.
What is Humidity?
Humidity refers to the amount of moisture or water vapor suspended in the air. It is typically measured as relative humidity, which is the percentage of water vapor present in air compared to the maximum amount that could be present at a given temperature.
As hot Florida air comes indoors and is cooled by your AC system, its relative humidity rises. Warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air. So that muggy outdoor air becomes even muggier when it enters your home.
Impacts of High and Low Humidity
Both excessively high and low humidity levels can cause issues:
High Humidity Effects:
– That sticky, stuffy feeling you get on hot, humid days
– Increased growth of mold, bacteria and other biological contaminants
– Musty smells
– Allergen and dust mite growth
– Peeling paint and warped floors or furniture
– Moisture accumulation on windows and other surfaces
Low Humidity Effects:
– Dry, itchy skin and eyes
– Scratchy throat and sinus irritation
– Aggravation of respiratory conditions like asthma
– Static electricity
– Cracking and splitting of wood surfaces
The optimal humidity range for health and comfort is around 30-50%. Levels above 60% or below 40% can cause the problems mentioned above.
Controlling Indoor Humidity
There are several effective strategies for regulating indoor humidity:
– Use exhaust fans – Bathroom, kitchen and whole-house fans vent out moist air. Letting them run for a while each day can help reduce excess moisture.
– Adjust AC settings – Work with your HVAC technician to optimize the humidification and dehumidification functions on your air conditioning system.
– Ventilate and air out – Circulating drier outdoor air by opening windows on dry days will lower humidity.
– Monitor with hygrometer – A humidity gauge lets you see when levels get too high or low so you can take corrective action.
– Use dehumidifier – For excessive moisture, a dehumidifier removes water vapor from the air.
– Add humidifier – If air is too dry, a humidifier can add needed moisture.
– Seal leaks – Drafts let outdoor humidity indoors. Caulk and weatherstrip to seal up cracks.
– Vent moisture sources – Range hoods, dryer vents and bathroom fans keep moisture from accumulating indoors.
Rely on Precision Air Solutions for Humidity Control
Achieving comfortable humidity levels in your Central Florida home can be challenging. But the indoor air quality experts at Precision Air Solutions have the skills and equipment to get the job done right! We offer:
– Whole-house dehumidifiers and humidifiers – We’ll install systems sized perfectly for your home.
– ERV/HRV systems – Energy recovery ventilators exchange indoor and outdoor air while retaining the right humidity levels.
– Advanced thermostats – We’ll program your thermostat with optimal settings to eliminate humidity issues.
– Duct cleaning – Removing mold, dust and allergens from your ducts improves air quality.
– Filters & humidification services – We replace filters and service humidifiers/dehumidifiers to keep them working efficiently.
With over 20 years of experience handling Florida humidity, Precision Air Solutions has the knowledge to control moisture, prevent mold growth, and maintain healthy humidity levels year-round. Contact us today at 407-755-7777 or visit https://precisionairhome.com to learn more about our services!
