Everything Homeowners Need To Know About Humidity

Humidity and What You Need to Know

Modern central air conditioning systems are designed to keep homes within a tolerable humidity level so that homeowners don’t have to worry about it. But sometimes, even the best air conditioners will fail to regulate humidity, or environmental changes will make it impossible for air conditioners to keep up. Knowing why humidity levels are important can help homeowners take control of their homes when that happens. 

As summer draws to an end, acquire some knowledge from local air quality experts. These local HVAC contractors want to help homeowners understand humidity and control it for health and comfort. 

Why Does Anyone Care About Humidity?

The limit of most people’s knowledge about humidity is that it makes summers unbearable, but there is so much more to it. Inside a home, occupants can feel the effects of humidity either too high or too low. The perfect humidity level in a home falls between 40% and 60% and can be easily measured by devices called hygrometers. When the humidity falls out of this range, there can be consequences. 

Problems with humidity that is too low can be: 

• Dry cough
• Worsening allergies
• Sinus infections
• Dry eyes that are prone to infection
• Dry and itchy skin

When humidity is too high, the results can be:

• Musty odors
• Clammy air
• High cooling bills
• Mold and mildew growth
• Respiratory problems resulting from mold growth

Using Humidifiers

The first thing a homeowner should do is start tracking humidity levels in their home. On modern smart thermostats, this is usually done automatically. Otherwise, cheap analog devices can help as well. 

If people in a home exhibit symptoms that indicate low humidity, humidifiers can be added to mitigate the effects of low humidity. Humidifiers can range in complexity from small, personal units used to raise the humidity in a single room, to full-size, whole-home humidifiers that work with a central AC system. 

Low humidity is usually a problem in the winter when natural humidity levels drop. In homes with natural gas heating, the humidity levels can be further depleted by the furnace. 

Using Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers are generally more commonly needed in the McKinney area, especially during the summers. Installing a dehumidifier can increase the comfort of a home by keeping the air from feeling sticky. This can actually lead to lower AC bills since drier air feels cooler. 

Dehumidifiers can be small units sized to drop humidity in a certain area, or they can be installed in line with existing central AC equipment. Installing dehumidifiers with existing equipment may cost a little more than buying mobile units, but they take way less effort to operate, thus making them more effective. 

About Burnside Air Conditioning, Heating & Indoor Air Quality

Burnside Air Conditioning, Heating & Indoor Air Quality are the local air quality experts. They design air conditioning systems and install humidifiers and dehumidifiers, so the home always stays comfortable and healthy. Call them today for excellent air conditioning service in McKinney, TX. 

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