Controlling Your Home's Humidity - Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air

We often associate humidity as an undesired thing, but when it comes to your home — that’s not always the case. Yes, too much moisture can be harmful to your home and lead to an uncomfortable temperature, but a dry home can do just as much damage. So when it comes to your home’s humidity, here’s what you need to know:

High Humidity Issues

With extra humidity comes moisture, and with moisture comes significant home problems.

Moisture can get trapped in corners and closed areas, especially in bathrooms. When it gathers, mildew grows which is not easily removed. You might also notice that there is condensation on your windows. If untreated, condensation can drip down to your window sills, causing rot. With the right humidity level, these can all be easily avoided.

Removing Excess Humidity

There are several affordable and accessible ways to extract extra humidity in your home, and the earlier you catch it, the better. In specific areas, such as the basement a dehumidifier might do the trick. If it’s winter and the problem is minimal, sometimes running heat into that area is all you need, and if the problem is excessive, you can choose to use both.

For a bathroom with excess moisture, an open window or exhaust fan can often do the trick. Allowing the steam from the hot showers to escape is vital to keeping mold and mildew out your bathroom.

When To Add Humidity

A lack of humidity isn’t suitable for your home either. A dry house can be uncomfortable, and it also can lead to the cracking on wood. The easiest way to combat this is with a humidifier. You can purchase a stand-alone or get one installed in your heating system, either way; this will be the moisture you need to improve your air quality and bring your home back to a reasonable comfort level.

So What’s The Desired Humidity Level…

For a comfortable home that’s not to dry or to damp, and to keep away the mold, rot, and wood cracks, you’ll want to keep your humidity between 35-45%.

Looking to keep your Salt Lake City home’s heating and air systems operating at its best? Schedule your tune-up with the experts Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air today.