If you own a humidifier, then you’re probably one of those people asking, what humidity should I set my humidifier to?
As you know, humidity is vital to our hair, skin, and general health. In fact, humidity is also necessary in order to maintain the condition of some of the wooden furniture in your home. When the humidity level is too low, your furniture could deteriorate and eventually, germs will thrive. So if you’re one of those wondering, “what humidity should I set my humidifier to?” then read this article as we talk about the ideal humidity level to maintain in order to keep your home and your health in good condition all year round.
How to Gauge the Level of Humidity Indoor?
Some people are capable of detecting the humidity level of their home just by simply feeling it. But just in case you don’t have that skill, here are some tips:
- Condensation and fogging are accumulated on the windows of your home. Moisture starts to build up in the ceilings and walls and molds will soon start growing. These are clear indications that there’s too much humidity in your home.
- On the other hand, if there is an increased static electricity inside your home and that there are some dried and cracking paint in the walls, then this simply means that there’s low humidity in your home.
“If you want to be certain about the level of humidity in your home, consider buying a device known as the hygrometer. This device is used to accurately measure the humidity level of an indoor area. You should be able to get this for around $10 in your local home improvement store,” explains Garry Pitcher, founder of waterzi.com, a foundation that reviews the best water coolers .
What Happens If Your Humidity Level Is Too Low?
It’s important that you set the proper level of humidity in your home, which is why many people would ask, “what humidity should I set my humidifier to?” This is especially true during winter when the humidity level is expected to drop because the cold air is less capable of holding moisture unlike the warm air.
If you’re using forced air heating in your home, then this could exacerbate the problem because furnaces often use combustion in producing hot air. As a result, most of the water vapor will be burned. And to make matters worse, if the humidity level gets too low, the ambient air will feel colder than in the more humid environments. To compensate this, most homeowners will turn up the heat.
If the level of humidity in your home is too low, then this could lead to static electricity. Furthermore, your hair and skin will be dry and you’ll be highly susceptible to colds and some other respiratory illnesses. Furthermore, wooden floors, millwork, and furniture will start splitting and cracking and the paint in your wall will begin to chip. This can surely cost you a lot of money to repair or replace.
Investing in a best humidifier for large rooms is the best way to avoid these problems. But it’s not enough that you own a humidifier. You should also know how to set it to the most appropriate humidity level. So read on to address your question of what humidity should I set my humidifier to?
What’s the Recommended Humidity Level for your Home?
Remember that each and every homeowner has its own preferences when it comes to the proper level of indoor humidity. What may be comfortable for you may not be comfortable for others. But in general, the relative humidity level that’s ideal for comfort and prevent the growth of molds and bacteria is between 35 and 50 percent.
The most comfortable level of indoor humidity will vary from one household to another. Thus, when it comes to the question of “what humidity should I set my humidifier to,” the answer is mainly based on personal preferences. Below is a general temperature guide that will show you the level of indoor humidity to ensure comfort in any home.
- If the outdoor temperature is more than 50˚F, you should maintain an indoor humidity level that’s not more than 50%.
- If the outdoor temperature is more than 20˚F, you should maintain an indoor humidity level that’s not more than 40%.
- If the outdoor temperature is more than 10˚F, you should maintain an indoor humidity level that’s not more than 35%.
Maintaining An Ideal Humidity Level At Home
The best way to maintain a relative level of humidity at home year round is to install whole home dehumidifiers or humidifiers. These systems will work with your home’s cooling and heating automatically to either remove or add moisture from the indoor air. You can use the humidifier during winter months while the air is naturally drier and use the dehumidifier during summer when the air tends to naturally carry more moisture.