Low Humidity Can Be Shocking
If you've got sparks shooting off your fingertips when you touch a doorknob or light switch, have a dry through, or cracked wood floors, you've probably got low humidity. If you're lips and fingers are cracked and you're skin is dry and itchy, you need more humidity in your home. On the other hand, if bathrooms or ptjer rooms in your home seem damp all the time, you probably have too much humidity.
The most important objective when attempting to regulate the amount of humidity is getting the right amount. It's just as bad to have more humidity than not enough. Too much can cause condensation on windows, water on walls and the ugly prospect of mildew and bacteria, which may cause allergy and respiratory problems.
So, what's the answer to getting the relative humidity in your home to a comfortable level of 35 to 50 percent?
There are some things that put moisture into the air naturally, but probably don't typically provide enough for an entire house. Plants retain water and release moisture to the air. Boiling water for cooking, baths and showers also add humidity. A number of things can be done to eliminate all these problems in one stroke. Some are easy and relatively inexpensive, while some might require installation of additional equipment to your comfort system.
Placing a portable humidifier or dehumidifier in a central location in your house will go a long way toward solving the humidity dilemma. A house of 2,300 to 5,000 square feet, however, would need several.
The best long-term remedy for humidity is adding a humidifier or dehumidifier to your home comfort system. The water supply is constant and it can be controlled by a humidistat mounted on your wall, properly regulating the humidity in the home. With the right amount of humidity, you'll find that you can be comfortable at a lower thermostat setting. And that will save you money on your energy bills.
Posted: 3/25/2008 4:22:43 PM by Sam