Summer in the Denver metro area can be oppressive, and humidity plays a critical role in that oppressive feeling. Fortunately, one can control the humidity level in their house.
There is more to it than keeping the level high or low. Striking an ideal balance is key to both comfort and health. Here is a look at why balanced humidity is important and how users can achieve the right balance.
Problems With High Humidity
Particularly, high humidity levels in the home can lead to certain health issues
High humidity levels tend to be most easily understood regarding the problems they cause. Particularly, high humidity levels in the home can lead to certain health issues.
At a threshold above 60% relative humidity, mold can begin to grow. Mix in warm weather, and that’s a formula for reduced indoor air quality associated with mold.
Humidity also can strain a home’s air conditioning systems. One unit of moist air needs more energy to cool than a single unit of dry air. For example, cooling a house from 80 to 70 degrees in 90% humidity will take more energy than cooling it in 30% humidity.
Inefficient operation
An air conditioner has to spend more energy and run for a longer time to bring the temperature down
Consequently, an air conditioner has to spend more energy and run for a longer time to bring the temperature down. This leads to increased wear and tear, potentially shortening the life of the AC unit.
The same issue also affects comfort. If the AC takes longer to achieve adequate cooling, then it also takes longer to make users feel comfortable.
Condensation can also occur when the humidity in a house is high. This is particularly common when a home is well-insulated. Without an easy path out of the house, the moisture begins to collect where the temperature difference occurs.
Bad for wood and metal
Moisture can cause corrosion of metal components, including the HVAC system and ductwork
Moisture in a house also can dampen wood and upholstery. In extreme cases, it can warp the wood in floors. Similarly, the moisture can cause corrosion of metal components, including the HVAC system and ductwork. Metal household items may see accelerated corrosion, too.
High humidity can saturate the home’s air filters faster. This reduces their operating efficiency, leading to lower indoor air quality.
Note that low outdoor humidity doesn’t necessarily translate to low indoor humidity. Moisture from human activities can collect in a house. Likewise, moisture can come from the soil into the structure.
Problems with Low Humidity
Many people with dry skin or eyes experience discomfort or irritation in low humidity
Many people logically conclude that they should install whole-home dehumidifiers to make their houses bone dry. However, low humidity can create problems as well.
Health and structural issues often arise from extreme dryness, and the summer climate in Colorado often promotes low humidity levels.
Many people with dry skin or eyes experience discomfort or irritation in low humidity. Folks with respiratory issues may also not take extreme dryness in a house well.
Dry air can reduce the effectiveness of mucous membranes in the body, raising susceptibility to respiratory infections. Babies and elderly people are often more susceptible to respiratory issues. Pets and small kids may also experience problems.
Low humidity bad for the house
Low moisture levels will promote shrinking and cracking in the building’s wood
Low humidity also can affect the structural elements of a house. Low moisture levels will promote shrinking and cracking in the building’s wood. It also can dry out paint, causing it to chip or peel. The same goes for wallpaper.
Anyone who owns plants should worry about low humidity levels. Indoor plants often struggle in dry homes. The best-case scenario is that one will have to water them more. The worst-case scenario is that the plants could die.
Low humidity tends to encourage higher dust build-up in a house. Moist air increases the weight of dust particles, making them less likely to settle. Also, many people use fans in dry, hot weather. Increased air circulation from fans stirs up dust throughout a house.
If someone in a household has allergies, the extra dust will irritate them. Dry air also creates the right conditions for static electricity. At best, static electricity is an annoyance. At worst, it can damage sensitive electronic devices and appliances.
Balanced humidity
Premier encourages homeowners to use whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers
Balance within the house is just as important as striking the right overall balance between high and low humidity levels. Users don’t want one room to be worse than the others because this can present situations where they walk into a room and experience issues.
Likewise, air tends to want to flow from one state to another. If users have a room that doesn’t have a great connection with the home’s HVAC, it might get hotter and more humid during the worst summer heat. The air from that room will want to flow to other areas of the house.
One of the reasons Premier encourages homeowners to use whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers is to strike the right balance throughout a house. With a unified system, users can rest assured that every room will have properly controlled air.
Target Humidity Level
Setting the humidity level somewhere between 30% and 50% is optimal. Mold growth tends to fire up at 60% humidity, and that 50% upper level gives users a buffer. Dry-air issues tend to start appearing at levels below 30%.
Hitting the Target Level
The right HVAC setup is critical to getting the humidity level right during a Colorado summer
The right HVAC setup is critical to getting the humidity level right during a Colorado summer.
A whole home system that provides both humidification and dehumidification is ideal. Many HVAC units are pretty good at dehumidification, but users should check whether the system needs a whole home dehumidifier.
Extreme dryness and heat waves in Colorado mean that people in this part of the country should invest in whole-home humidifiers. Keeping the moisture level up in Colorado is as much of a challenge as keeping it down is in many other parts of the U.S.
Control and monitoring systems
The right control and monitoring systems will also make a difference. Knowing the humidity level requires installing a system that checks, and many low-end thermostats do not. Also, users don’t have true whole-home coverage without monitoring each room.