12 Signs Your Home’s Humidity Level Is Off
The ideal setting for indoor humidity is between 40–60 percent. You can determine it with a smart thermostat or digital humidity sensor. If you don’t own these devices, there are a couple clues your home’s humidity level is outside a comfortable range:
Humidity Is Too Low
- Frequent bloody noses
- Chapped lips
- Dry skin, eyes or throat
- Lingering cold or flu symptoms
- Damage to wood flooring or furniture
- Too much static electricity
Humidity Is Too High
- Mold growth
- Windows with condensation
- Stale odors
- Water damage or stains
- Decaying wood
- Aggravated allergy symptoms
How a Whole-Home Humidifier or Dehumidifier Works
We put in a whole-home dehumidifier or humidifier as part of your HVAC system and network of air ducts. It manages humidity as your furnace, heat pump or air conditioner focuses on comfortable temperatures.
The humidifier utilizes a pad and rotating drum or steaming system to help with moisture levels. It starts by drawing water from an external source, like a tap or a reservoir, and then vaporizing it into the air. As the water vapor rises, it adds more moisture to the home’s atmosphere. The amount of moisture in the air is monitored by a humidity sensor so that you can adjust the level of humidity in your home to the comfort level you desire. The humidity sensor also helps the humidifier recognize when it has to turn off once the desired level has been reached.
Meanwhile, a dehumidifier reverses this process and draws in wet air. It utilizes a fan to force this air over refrigerated evaporator coils, which cools it down. This condenses. The dehumidifier then transfers the extra moisture into a pan or drain. For most whole-home systems, this moisture is drained out and away from your home.
Both systems are more useful than their movable equivalents, which can only handle a single room at a time. A whole-home system also requires much less upkeep than a portable dehumidifier or humidifier.