Humidity: a moderate degree of wetness especially of the atmosphere.

When you think of humidity, words like “sticky”, “stuffy”, and “Florida” might come to mind — especially Florida. However, unbalanced humidity levels inside your home or office can open the door for potential health issues and lasting property damage. In fact, the ideal relative humidity for health and comfort is somewhere between 30-50% humidity, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

Here are some of the repercussions of having irregular indoor humidity. 

When humidity levels are too high…

For a “less is more” approach to your humidity problems, a ducted whole house dehumidifier is the way to go. The device is installed into your HVAC system and removes moisture through the ductwork. The kicker? One whole house dehumidifier has the power to alleviate excess humidity throughout the entire home or building.

Whole house humidifiers are convenient devices as they operate without consistent monitoring or user input. Your only role is to set the desired humidity level. Furthermore, whole house dehumidifiers can enhance the cooling qualities of your HVAC system by removing moisture, leaving behind cool, comfortable air. 

Without proper dehumidification, there are several harmful effects that can be detrimental to you and your investment.

What can happen…

• Damaged paintwork
• Peeling wallpaper
• Rotting furniture, floors, and furnishings
• Damaged walls and brickwork
• Growth of mold, mildew, and fungi
• Invasion of dust mites
• Damaged internal electronic components
• Exposure to airborne chemical contaminants
• Increased cooling costs

How it impacts your health…

• Dehydration
• Inflamed dermatitis, eczema, and asthma
• Allergy-like symptoms
• Poor sleep quality
• Profuse sweating

Other measures you can take…

• Open windows to ventilate your living space
• Run your air conditioner
• Set up dehumidifiers around your home
• Fix leaking pipes
• Maintain/repair ventilation systems
• Use humidity monitors
• Dry laundry outside
• Take shorter, cooler showers
• Keep gutters clean

When humidity levels are too low…

Like whole house dehumidifiers, their sibling instrument is the whole house humidifier is an excellent solution to humidity issues. Particularly appropriate for the winter season (and it’s approaching fast), whole house humidifiers battle back against drier air experienced in cold climates. They operate in the same capacity as a whole house dehumidifiers, only adding moisture to be dispersed through ductwork instead of extracting it. 

Like it’s counterpart, humidifiers can be set through your thermostat. Depending on your ideal indoor atmosphere you can turn the setting to your liking without having to turn the system on and off. It operates in conjunction with your furnace by using heating to add moisture to every area throughout your home or building.

If increased levels of humidity aren’t acknowledged and resolved, you run the risk of an abundance of issues, including…

What can happen…

• Increased electrostatic discharge
• Wood floors, walls, and furnishings can creak or rupture
• Damaged internal electronic components 
• Increased heating costs
• Shrinking of door and window frames

How it impacts your health…

• Chronic skin, throat, lung irritation
• Increased vulnerability to infection
• Poor sleep quality
• Damaged paintwork
• Frequent headaches
• Bloody noses
• Eye irritation
• Exposure to airborne chemical contaminants

Other measures you can take…

• Use humidifier or vaporizer
• Boil water on the stove
• Invest in houseplants
• Leave the door open when you shower
• Let clothes air dry
• Turn down the heat
• Upgrade weatherstripping
• Maintain/repair ventilation systems

Monitoring the proper indoor humidity is important to your health as well as the foundation and furnishings of your home or building. Bathroom ventilation, stove hoods, and other exhaust fans can be pain points for poor indoor air quality. 

Designing the right indoor system is the best way to protect yourself from any potential damage or harm due to humidity imbalances. Yagla Engineering Services specializes in creating ventilation and temperature control systems perfect for your home’s layout. Say YES to Yagla to be sure you and your family are kept safe year-round.