Air Conditioning: The Dangers of Humidity
Posted by Jody Raines on Mon, Sep 12, 2011 @ 08:58 PM
Air conditioning or heating, it's important to regulate the humity in your home. As summer draws to a close, we can say goodbye to those long hot humid days of summer...You know how you feel when it’s humid - your skin feels sticky, your brow is sweaty, the air feels thick. Inside the home there is humidity as well, but it manifests a bit differently. If you are itching, sneezing, and coughing, it may be due to humidity inside your home.
But what happens when your home is too dry? The heating system will create dry warm air in your home, and with fall and winter coming upon us, you may want to be sure you are ready to regulate the humity in your environment!
Humidity Can Make You Sneeze?
Humidity doesn’t actually make you sneeze, but it does create a possible breeding ground for mold growth and dust mites. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. Allergens live on counter tops, tables, in carpet, on pillows, and mattresses. Warm temperatures and high humidity create a perfect environment for allergens to thrive and grow.
Keeping the humidity at 50 percent or lower may result in lower mold and dust mite growth, and therefore, reduce allergens in your home.
Humidity and damp conditions are also conducive to bugs and termites.
Dry Skin And Static?
During winter months, the concern is adding humidity to the air. When the home gets too dry, skin irritation, breathing difficulty and static electricity can be problems. Heaters rob the air of moisture in the home, so having a stabile humidity will make the air feel more comfortable.
Solutions
If you suspect that the air in your home is too moist or too dry, then you may want to consider a few ideas:
- Vent the areas that create moisture - showers and bathrooms
- Install vent fans for cooking and use them
- Have you home evaluated by a professional to determine humidity levels, and determine whether a humidifier or dehumidifier may be warrented
- Reduce carpeted areas in your home - carpet retains moisture and is also a favorite breeding ground for mites. At the very least, vacuum carpets weekly.
Columbia NW Heating Inc. specializes in efficiently upgrading or repairing air conditioning, heating, gas furnaces, heat pump, ductless heat pumps, tankless water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, electric furnaces, air filtration systems, oil furnaces, gas fireplaces and inserts, and all systems related to the comfort of your home or office in Portland and surrounding areas.