In most homes, controlling the temperature is pretty simple – you just adjust the thermostat and your heating or cooling system does the rest. Managing humidity, on the other hand, can be a bit tricker but just as important.
The common recommendation is to keep the indoor relative humidity level (RHL) between 30-50%. There are many benefits to staying within this range, which can require that you have a humidifier in your home.
Reasons why you would want to manage the humidity in your home
- You want to reduce health issues. When the indoor humidity is too low, it can dry out your skin, irritate allergies, and lead to other health issues.
- You want to improve indoor air quality. If the humidity is too high, it creates an environment where mildew and mold can grow. By keeping the humidity under 50%, you can maintain healthy indoor air quality.
- You want to keep your personal items safe. Moisture (or lack thereof) can affect different materials inside your home, including upholstery, wood, and paper. A humidifier can save you money from having to replace furnishings and protect irreplaceable items such as photographs and artwork.
- You want to save on energy bills. With the proper humidity level, you can feel more comfortable inside your home while relying less on your heating or cooling system. Lowering the humidity level can make you feel cooler in the summer even if the temperature is the same. It works the other way around, too. By raising the humidity in the winter, you can feel warmer without turning up the thermostat.
- You want to stop getting shocked. If you find yourself getting a small static shock while walking around your home, especially if you have carpet, it may be a sign that the air is too dry. A humidifier can help take care of this nuisance.
Whole-home versus single-room humidifier
So what’s the best way to manage the humidity in your home? You may have seen small, portable humidifiers in stores. Our customers often ask if these products are enough to keep their homes at the right humidity level. These types of humidifiers are only designed to handle one room. They also require frequent filling of water, need to be cleaned often to prevent bacteria and mold, can be loud, and are not very energy-efficient.
A better solution is often a whole-home humidifier system. This unit attaches to your HVAC equipment and improves the humidity and air quality of the entire house, not just one room. It provides its own source of water, requires minimal maintenance, and is energy efficient.
Professional humidifier installation
If you want to take the guesswork and worry out of controlling the moisture level in your home, then a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier is the way to go. At Robert B. Payne we understand the specific humidity needs of the Fredericksburg, VA area. For a consultation with one of our HVAC technicians, schedule an appointment today at 540-373-5876.
