Act Now to Get These Benefits of Regulating Humidity at Home

Humidity usually reminds us of hot, sweltering days in summer. Sometimes, it may also bring to mind dry skin and chapped lips related to low humidity during winter. The connection between humidity and comfortable interiors may not be apparent immediately. However, it is a vital aspect that can affect your indoor air quality and health in many ways. For this reason, it is important to be aware of the reasons for balancing indoor humidity and how to get it done.

While a portable humidifier or dehumidifier might seem like an easy solution, remember that it is not of much help when you need to balance humidity levels within the entire house. To accomplish that, you will need a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier. HVAC companies providing indoor air quality services in South Atlanta will be able to help with choosing and installing the right humidifier for your needs.

How does humidity affect indoor air quality?

When the air quality within your home falls below a certain level, the people living within are prone to develop allergies and other breathing issues. Often, homeowners blame dust, pollen and other allergens for respiratory problems, while the real villain might be humidity.

High humidity levels create a favorable breeding ground for mold, dust mites and bacteria that can trigger breathing issues. Low humidity levels can lead to a host of health issues, including dry skin, chapped lips, bleeding from the nose and blocked sinus. It can also aggravate existing ailments such as asthma.

Benefits of balancing humidity levels in homes

Maintaining optimal humidity in homes comes with its share of benefits. Here are some of them:

Prevent damage to hardwood floors

Wood can absorb moisture and expand when humidity is high. It shrinks when humidity is low. Radical fluctuations in humidity can adversely affect your wood, causing it to develop gaps or spots. Ideal humidity levels keep your hardwood floors looking great for years.

Safeguard electronics

Oscillating humidity can expose electronics to the risk of condensation that can lead to wear and tear and – in rare cases – short circuits. If you own expensive electronics, regulating humidity levels can extend its lifespan.