Humidity Problems In Your Home

Do you find it hard to breathe in your home some days? Are you or family members prone to more headaches and asthma attacks during the warmer months? You are not allergic to heat – you have humidity problems in your home. When we talk about indoor air quality, humidity problems in your home are what we are referring to.

What factors contribute to indoor air quality?  Indoor air quality includes temperature, humidity, ventilation, mold from water damage and noxious chemicals. OSHA ranks humidity problems in your home at the top of their list of poor indoor air quality.

How does humidity affect air quality?

• Bacteria and viruses that cause respiratory infections thrive in extremely high and extremely low humidity
• Mold spores, dust mites and other allergens survive best in high humid environments
• High humidity increases levels of noxious chemicals in the air, including ozone and formaldehyde

How does humidity affect your home? High humidity levels cause a wide range of problems from making your family sick to damaging your walls, floors and furniture. It is more evident in summer months and found most frequently in homes with poorly functioning air conditioning systems.

• Damp air resulting in mold growth causes musty odors and ailments ranging from nasal stuffiness to dangerous lung infections
• High concentrations of dust mites can aggravate asthma conditions
• High humidity makes indoor temperatures feel warmer leading to muscle aches, heat rash, heat exhaustion, even heat stroke
• Damp air creates condensation which damages indoor building materials

HVAC professionals, such as LHT Cooling, Heating and Refrigeration, Inc., recommend indoor temperature ranges of 68 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 50 percent. We know this can seem like a daunting task, but a correctly designed and installed air conditioning system will keep your home at these levels, in addition to regular maintenance.