Many people don’t think about the relative humidity (RH) level in their Bath, Pennsylvania, homes until it’s very dry in the winter or very humid in the summer. It’s important to keep your RH at a certain level, since it can negatively affect your indoor air quality if it’s too low or too high.
Relative Humidity and Indoor Air Quality
It’s pretty easy to tell when it’s humid in your home. The air feels clammy and you’ll feel either warmer or colder than the temperature on the thermostat. Besides being uncomfortable, high RH in your home also negatively affects your IAQ, or indoor air quality. The RH in your home should be between 30 to 50 percent. If it’s too humid, mold and mildew can grow, encouraging poor IAQ, which can cause cold- and flu-like symptoms, skin irritation, and itchy watery eyes.
It’s possible, even in hot summers, to have RH drop too low as well. Low RH also negatively affects your IAQ and causes similar symptoms such as skin irritation, dry eyes, respiratory issues, and high levels of static electricity throughout your home.
The Importance of IAQ
People often take for granted that the air inside their homes is clean and safe, and during the summer heat, they tend to stay inside more to keep cool. Spending all day indoors means you’re constantly breathing in that recycled air. Poor indoor air quality causes many health concerns such as headaches, coughing, and sneezing, so it’s important, especially during the summer and winter, to prevent poor IAQ.
Controlling the RH in Your Home
If you are concerned about the RH levels in your home, have an expert come in to test both the RH and the IAQ. Invest in a dehumidifier or humidifier if your home feels too humid or too dry as well. During the summer, avoid taking long, hot showers, running the dryer for long periods, or boiling water often to also manage the RH in your home.
If you have concerns about your RH or IAQ, we are the experts to call. Contact Sullivan Oil & Propane at (610) 810-3992 to speak to an experienced professional today.
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