Proper Humidity Level for your Home

What is the proper humidity level for your home? Winter is in full swing, and that means the air inside your home is extremely dry. Reducing your time in the shower, and moisturizing constantly will do very little to help. But, being mindful the the proper humidity level for your home will make a big difference.

Research has shown that an indoor humidity level of 40-60% is ideal for maximum comfort and health. Yet keeping the home’s air moist for an entire winter can lead to ice and water forming on your windows. Moisture can also collect along the wall and cavities of the attic leading to serious problems. The solution is to find a happy medium between indoor humidity levels that won’t cause moisture issues to nosebleeds.

Homeowners who have a humidifier should adjust it at the onset of the winter to a level that will NOT over-humidify the space. For optimal comfort, indoor humidity levels should be adjusted based on the outdoor temperature. In general, lower outdoor temperatures will require a home with a lower humidity level.

For example:

• When the outside temperature is between 20 and 40 degrees, the indoor humidity level should generally not exceed 40%
• When the outside temperature is between 10 and 20 degrees, the indoor humidity levels should not exceed 35%

This requires a lot of vigilance on the part of the homeowner. If you would like to take this issue off your list, you can install controls that regulate the indoor humidity target based on the outdoor temperature automatically.

In contrast, a whole house humidifier installs directly into your cooling and heating system. It introduces humidity in the form of water vapor at the source – your ductwork. The level of humidity is then monitored and controlled by your thermostat, just like the temperature is. An even level of moisture can be released into your house all winter long.