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Indoor Humidity Levels in Your Home

Managing the humidity levels inside your home is key to living comfortably. Humidity is the main factor of the “feels like” temperature, which is how your body perceives the actual temperature. So, when your house is too humid, your body will perceive the temperature to be higher, and when the humidity is too low your body will perceive the temperature to be lower. If you’re not properly maintaining a normal humidity level, especially during the winter months, your body and wallet will start to feel the effects of that low humidity level.

Guy Shivering Inside because the inside humidity levels are too low

Humidity and Your Heating Bill

Whether you heat your home with propane, heating oil, or natural gas, humidity levels inside your home will effect how efficiently your furnace runs, therefore effecting your heating bills. When temperatures fall in the winter months, the amount of moisture in the air drops too. You probably turn up the thermostat to compensate for the dry chilly air, but this won’t solve anything. In fact, it’ll only cause your furnace to run harder and increases your heating bill. When low humidity isn’t corrected, it can also cause:

  • Nasal and throat irritation, dry, chapped lips and skin, and greater susceptibility to colds and respiratory infections
  • Issues with static electricity that can harm electronics
  • Shrinking or cracking of caulk and wood floors, trim, and furniture

Yikes!

What can you do to correct humidity levels inside your home?

You can place portable humidifiers in different rooms of your home but be sure to monitor the humidity in your house because this method could add too much moisture. You can also install a whole-home humidifier. This is an addon for your home’s HVAC system that puts out the correct amount of moisture all year round!

Your home, body, and wallet will thank you!

What are the benefits to maintaining an ideal humidity level?

The health of people residing in your home and the health of your home itself are primary benefits to maintaining an ideal humidity level. Additionally, you will experience more comfort along with lower heating and cooling bills. To learn more about how to manage humidity levels inside your home, contact the HVAC experts at Shipley Energy! Anytime one of our HVAC technicians perform a service at your house they do a complementary humidity and water check in your home.

FAQs:

  1. What is an ideal humidity level?
    1. The ideal indoor humidity level ranges from 30-50 percent throughout the entire year.
  2. What are the most efficient ways to manage humidity levels?
    1. You can use humidifiers and dehumidifiers throughout your home or have your local HVAC specialist install whole-home humidifiers into your current system!
  3. What can I do during the summer months to manage humidity?
    1. During the summer months you can run ceiling fans to evaporate moisture faster, make sure your dryer is venting outside, and use kitchen and bathroom ventilation fans to remove excess water vapor.
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