How to Maintain the Proper Humidity Levels in Your Home

By Darcy Logan

It is important to maintain the proper humidity levels in your home and workplace. Indoor humidity levels should be between 30 to 50 percent with the ideal level being about 45 percent. Humidity levels can be easily checked with a hygrometer. They are inexpensive and look similar to a thermometer.

If humidity is too low, you can suffer from dry noses, skin, and throats, as well as cracked fingertips, and you're more likely to catch a cold. Dryness can also damage wood and drywall, cause your wood floors to shrink, and even cause your piano to go out of tune. Static electricity is also increased as the humidity levels decreased. Low humidity is more common in colder climates because cold air is less able to hold water vapor. (This is why air conditioners drip water - colder air holds less humidity.) Older and less energy-efficient homes are also more likely to suffer from low humidity.

Humidity that is too high will stain ceilings and walls, and can cause paint and wallpaper to peel. It is also a breeding ground for mold, rot and insects such as termites and cockroaches. Homes that are more energy-efficient are also more likely to suffer from problems with higher humidity. The tighter your house is, the less air that is exchanged.

It is important to measure the humidity throughout your house. Basements are notorious for having higher humidity levels. Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms also have higher humidity levels. Bedrooms and rooms closer to these areas will have a higher humidity level than ones further away.

Humidity Too Low
Humidity levels are easily increased by using a humidifier. Humidifiers must kept clean and filters should be changed according to the manufacturer's instructions. The most common type of evaporative humidifier uses a wicking filter that absorbs the water. A fan then blows through the air and evaporates some of the water. Make sure you purchase a humidifier that will cover the amount of square feet necessary and that holds plenty of water. You won't want to be constantly refilling it.

The nice thing about humidifiers is that they are self-regulating - not through technology, but through Mother Nature. The higher the humidity, the harder it is to evaporate water from the filter.

Humidity Too High
If the humidity is too high in your home or basement, there are two ways you can decrease it. Installing exhaust fans in rooms where there are higher level of humidity, like your kitchen, laundry room and bathroom, is one method. However, this can be expensive.

A less expensive method is to purchase a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier is, for all intents and purposes, an air conditioner that has both hot and cold coils. A fan blows air over the cold coil that condenses the moisture in the air, which drips down into the collection area. The air is then passed over a hot coil to restore it to its original temperature. For best results, you should empty the water from your dehumidifier regularly.

Don't forget to check the humidity levels at your workplace, too. Hopefully you spend more time at home than at work, but most of us still spend at least one-fourth of our time at work. Consider purchasing a small humidifier or dehumidifier for your office. The cost is minimal, but the effects won't be.

A decorative, natural approach to combat humidity are interior water fountains.  Consider bringing one into your home to bring peace and to absorb moisture.

It may take a little practice at first, but maintaining the proper humidity levels in your home is worth it. After all, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. Make sure you're spending that time in a healthy environment.

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