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Humidity and Indoor Air Quality
During the summer months, hot, humid air can keep your home’s central air conditioner working overtime to keep the air dry and comfortable. While your air conditioner is designed to remove heat and moisture from the air, in some cases humidity can remain high enough to cause indoor air quality problems.
If the indoor humidity is above 60 percent you may notice condensation on windows, and if the home stays humid long enough, you may notice a musty smell and mold growth in bathrooms, the basement and other areas of your home.
What Is a Healthy Indoor Humidity Level?
Many newer smart thermostats have the benefit of displaying the relative humidity (RH) in your home. You can also buy an inexpensive hygrometer to measure the humidity. A range of 30-50% is ideal for comfort and to prevent condensation and the growth of mold and mildew.
The Effects of High Humidity In the Home
Besides being just really uncomfortable, excessive humidity can cause mold growth that can lead to allergies and respiratory irritation.
High humidity can also damage your home by warping wood furniture, cupping wood floors and causing paint to peel and wall paper to deteriorate.
Controlling Humidity Levels In the Home
While your central AC will remove much of the humidity in the air, it’s important to avoid contributing to humidity levels. These sources of excess humidity can include: cooking, doing laundry, showering and other household tasks.
You can reduce humidity by ensuring that there is adequate ventilation in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. If humidity is a problem in these spaces, upgrading the ventilation system and adding exhaust fans can help to remove the humid air.
When the temperatures are lower outside, consider leaving windows and doors open to allow air to circulate.
If you’re concerned about excessive humidity and poor air quality in your home, call Hickey Plumbing, Air & Electrical. We offer advanced solutions for indoor air quality, including whole-home dehumidifiers and air filtration systems.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]