As the vibrant colors of fall appear and the air becomes crisper, it’s time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. While heating, insulation and cozy furnishings are essential, maintaining ideal indoor humidity levels is equally crucial for achieving a healthier, more comfortable environment.
What Is Humidity in Your Home?
Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air. It’s typically measured as a percentage, with 0% meaning completely dry air and 100% meaning the air is saturated with moisture. We recommend a humidity between 40-60%.
Why Does Humidity Matter During Fall and Winter?
Humidity levels in your home can fluctuate dramatically as the seasons shift from the warmth of summer to the chill of fall and winter. This change can affect several aspects of your living environment and even the building’s structural integrity. Here’s why managing indoor moisture levels is essential.
Improved Comfort
When humidity drops below 30%, the air can feel dry and stale, making your skin itch and your throat scratchy. The general atmosphere also feels uncomfortable, further exacerbated by chapped lips and irritated eyes — common complaints in low-humidity environments. Maintaining appropriate humidification is vital in avoiding these problems and is particularly important for individuals with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema.
Lower Heating Costs
Low humidity can make the air feel cooler than it actually is, prompting you to rely on your HVAC system for more extended periods. This prolonged usage causes your heating bill to soar uncharacteristically while impacting overall household energy efficiency. Increasing air moisture levels can enhance your home’s perceived warmth, allowing you to enjoy the seasonal chill without needing to crank up the thermostat excessively.
Minimized Air Pollution
Studies show indoor spaces can contain two to five times more contaminants than outside environments. Low humidity levels worsen the situation by allowing these pollutants to travel more freely throughout the room. In dry conditions, dust, allergens and other particles can remain suspended longer, increasing their concentration in the air you breathe. Increasing the moisture in the atmosphere can weigh down airborne particles, slowing their transfer across your home.
Health Benefits
The colder months often bring a surge in breathing problems, especially for household occupants with conditions like asthma and allergies. When the air is too arid, it can dry out your mucous membranes, making you more susceptible to colds and flu. Maintaining a balanced humidity level can help keep your respiratory system functioning properly and provide a more breathable environment.
Protecting Your Home’s Structure
Wooden elements in and around your property can suffer in environments with low humidity. Prolonged exposure causes them to crack and warp, potentially affecting the architecture’s sturdiness and load-bearing capacity. Conversely, too much moisture in the air can lead to mold growth and musty odors, which can be a nightmare. Keeping humidity levels balanced helps protect your investments and maintain your home’s aesthetic.
5 Proven Tips for Maintaining Your Home’s Ideal Humidity Levels
Now that you know the importance of maintaining humidity in your living environment, consider these strategies for attaining the proper air moisture levels.
1. Invest in a Humidifier
A humidifier can be your best friend during fall and winter, adding moisture to the air and helping to keep levels balanced. Carefully consider the size of each room when shopping for humidifiers and related accessories. Experts recommend adding ⅓ feet to the total area to ensure the device can achieve the desired results without operating at the maximum setting.
2. Utilize Houseplants
Plants like ferns, peace lilies and spider plants release moisture into the air through evapotranspiration, naturally increasing the humidity in the room. Consider grouping these houseplants to create a mini-humid microclimate while enhancing the space’s aesthetics.
3. Seal Drafts and Insulate
Check for drafts around your windows and doors. Sealing these using gaps weatherstripping or caulk helps keep the cold air out and prevents dry air from creeping in. Additionally, it might be a great idea to use thermal curtains to insulate windows better and create a more adequate building envelope.
4. Take Hot Showers
Simple daily activities like enjoying a hot shower or boiling water for cooking can introduce moisture into the air. Leave the bathroom door open after showering to allow the steam to circulate throughout your home. Just be cautious not to create excessive steam, or you’ll deal with moisture issues like mold and mildew afterward.
5. Ventilate Properly
It may seem counterintuitive, but ensuring proper ventilation can help maintain consistent humidity throughout your home during fall and winter. Use exhaust fans and open windows when possible to maintain air circulation, especially in areas that generate heat and moisture, like your kitchen and bathroom.
Improve Humidity in Your Living Environment
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, don’t forget the importance of humidity in your home. A little moisture in the air can go a long way in creating a comfortable, healthy environment for you and your family. With just a little effort, you can achieve a warm, inviting sanctuary that will keep you cozy through the chilly months.
