Getting the temperature right in your home is only one part of comfort. If the humidity is out of control, you’ll be miserable. The good news is that the right kind of heating and cooling system can help you feel better in any season.
The air can feel drastically different inside and outside. Inside your home, this can be due to changes you make on purpose, like the use of your air conditioning or your furnace. Other things you do in the home can make a difference, too. Every time you cook on the stove, run the clothes dryer, or take a long, hot shower, you change the humidity level. If you don’t pay attention, you can end up with a space that’s too dry or wet for you. Using fans and vents can help minimize these effects, but you still might need to do more.
Health experts recommend keeping your home’s humidity at around 30-60 percent. If the air is too humid, as it often is in Atlanta, you can have all kinds of problems. High humidity forms a breeding ground for allergens like dust mites and mold to get worse. Plus, areas with damp air lead to condensation on walls and floors. This can cause the growth of mildew or mold. On the other hand, air that’s too dry, like the kind you feel most in hospitals and on airplanes, removes necessary moisture from your body. If the air in your home is too dry, you’ll need to drink more water and deal with dry skin and sinus issues.
You may be surprised to learn that air conditioners were first invented for their use in removing excess humidity. Most people get adequate dehumidification through their air conditioning. Of course, this assumes that your AC is correctly sized for the home. Systems that are too big tend to shut off after cooling but before the humidity is optimal. However, if you don’t have an air conditioner, you may want to consider a dehumidifier.
In the middle of winter, you can end up with the opposite problem. Heating systems, like furnaces, are quite effective at warming, but they tend to dry things out. If you have a home that’s tightly sealed from the outdoor elements, your home can get surprisingly dry and uncomfortable. Steam humidification offers an easy solution. You can have a humidifier that covers your whole home and works with your HVAC. It also means no more guessing about the humidity level in your home, or worrying about having to clean a tabletop humidifier.
When you go to battle against the heat or cold, keep humidity in mind. To learn more about how you can improve your indoor air with the right tools, schedule an appointment or call Coolray today at 770-884-7398.
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