Controlling Humidity in Your Home: The Problems and Solutions

Humidity in your home

Posting Date: March 9, 2016
Posted by: Glen Herd, Branch Manager, Houston

Humidity can impact the comfort and safety of our home. The ideal humidity levels are between 30%-50%. Controlling the humidity levels can save energy, money, and reduce maintenance. We need humidity for our comfort, but too little or too much can become problematic.

Problems with High Humidity

  • Wet stains on walls and ceilings
  • Mold
  • Musty odor
  • Rot/Structural damage
  • Attract bugs
  • Increase energy use
  • Overheating

These problems pose a threat to you and your family, especially to those with allergies or asthma – mold, mildew and bugs can make health issues even worse. When high humidity is combined with high temperatures, it becomes even more dangerous and can lead to possible heat stroke. Your system is also working harder to keep things cooler, thereby increasing your energy use and bill.

Problems with Low Humidity

  • Static electricity
  • Dry skin, lips, and hair
  • Scratchy throats and noses
  • Woodwork shrinkage
  • Hardwood separation/warping
  • Molding gaps

Low humidity poses a threat too. Your body moisture evaporates and increases your susceptibility to colds and respiratory illness. With little moisture in your body, you will feel cold even at higher temperature settings. Turning the heat up won’t make you warmer, but just run up your energy bill.

The solution is a whole-house dehumidifier or humidifier. A whole-house dehumidifier/humidifier operates quietly to provide the correct level of humidity throughout your house and can be installed directly into your existing heating/cooling system.

We also offer an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal filter system that can kill up to 87% of all airborne bacteria and up to 99.9% of all airborne mold spores. The filters are so effective against fungus, mold, bacteria, and viruses that hospitals, laboratories, and commercial kitchens use similar units for indoor air protection. Read more here.

If your home seems too humid, or not humid enough, let us help you find a solution. Contact us or call 877-237-9700.