Why Too Much or Too Little Humidity is Bad for Your Home

February 6, 2020

As HVAC technicians, we want you to know your indoor air quality is important for the well-being of everyone in the household. When you have too much or too little humidity in your home, it can cause problems like respiratory issues or mold growth. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a baseline between 30 and 50 percent humidity for the best indoor air quality.

What Happens When The Humidity Is Too High?

If you notice condensation on the insides of your windows or damp areas on the walls, then it’s likely your house has too much humidity. This can occur due to a variety of issues like poor ventilation, lack of insulation or damp conditions. Appliances like dryers and dishwashers contribute to excess moisture in the air as well as cooking items on the stove. Taking a hot shower is a major contributor to the humid conditions too. When you have high humidity in your home, it can cause structural damage over time. The dampness makes the perfect environment for mold and bacteria to grow in your HVAC unit, and that can cause long-term health problems like allergies and asthma.

What Happens When The Humidity Is Too Low?

You may think that a dry environment would be beneficial to your health. However, when the internal moisture is too low, it can cause an array of health issues. The problems can range from chapped lips, sore throat, dry skin, itchy eyes and can lead to upper respiratory illnesses. Low humidity evaporates the moisture in your body and can make you feel cold. It can also dry out your furniture, wall coverings and hardwood floors. If you have low humidity in your home, then you may notice that you also have a lot of static electricity. An HVAC professional can work with you to help resolve these problems for a more comfortable home.

How Can These Problems Be Resolved?

If your home suffers from too much moisture, then a whole house dehumidifier could be the answer. This type of dehumidifier will regulate the temperature and humidity in the dwelling, and pull moisture out of the air to create clean air. By removing the water from the indoor air, your home will be protected from the spread of bacteria, mold and fungi. For homes that need more moisture, then a humidifier may help balance out the lack of humidity. When you use a whole house humidifier, your indoor air quality will be more comfortable.

Living in an excessively dry environment is hard on the body and on your furniture, so talk to an HVAC professional about the benefits of this unit. Contact the experts at Master Mechanical today for more information on improving your indoor air quality.