Your home comfort depends on many factors, but one that’s often overlooked is home humidity. The amount of moisture in your home’s indoor air can have a tremendous effect on overall comfort and temperature. So what can you do to make sure your home has the right amount of humidity?

Not Too Little, Not Too Much

On a hot summer’s day, high moisture content in your home’s indoor air not only raises perceived temperatures within the house, but it also causes the air to become stuffy, hot and harder to comfortably breathe in. Excess humidity also promotes the growth of mold, mildew and other airborne bacteria.

During the winter, cooler temperatures combined with the use of heating equipment lowers home humidity. As a result, you may wind up with dry, irritated skin, exacerbated breathing issues and dealing with static electricity.

Achieving Home Humidity Balance

According to numerous industry experts, your home’s ideal humidity should be between 30 and 50 percent year-round. This strikes a balance between indoor air that’s too dry (low humidity) and air that's too moist (high humidity).

During cooler weather, you can use a humidifier to add moisture back into your home’s indoor air for a more comfortable experience. Even everyday home activities as minor as showering and cooking can put small amounts of moisture in the air. Houseplants can even give your indoor air a boost of moisture.

If the humidity overwhelms you during the summer, simply running your air conditioner can help dry out excessively moisture-laden air. In more severe cases, the use of a portable or whole-house dehumidifier may be needed to restore ideal humidity levels.

For more information on home humidity or any other HVAC concerns, contact the professionals at JonLe Heating & Cooling. We proudly take care of homeowners throughout the greater Cincinnati area.  

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