As the seasons come and go, keeping your home in the Metro East area comfortable can prove to be a challenge. Thankfully your local experts C&K Heating & Cooling, Inc. have experience in all aspects of home comfort, from air quality to temperature control. An often overlooked aspect of home comfort is humidity, but how can you tell if you require more or less humidity?
Proper Humidity Can Improve Your Health
Humidity levels between 30% and 50% are comfortable in most homes. If your home is above or below the thresholds, a piece of information typically found during assessments, then you’ll need a humidifier or dehumidifier. While this range is great for a baseline, your personal preference will ultimately decide on which type of humidity control is needed for your Metro-East home.
An important aspect to consider when deciding on your ideal humidity is if you have any respiratory issues such as asthma or frequent colds. Using a dehumidifier can create an easier atmosphere to breathe in for those with asthma. On the other hand, congestion in the head and chest can be broken up with humid air. If you’re unsure where your home falls on the humidity scale, request a quick visit with one of our team members at C&K Heating & Cooling, Inc..
Humidity Impacts Your Entire Home
If you’ve ever walked through a home with multiple levels, you’ve likely experienced how different each story can feel. The main floor could be at the perfect humidity but once you step downstairs, your eyes and skin start to itch due meaning a humidifier is needed to bring moisture back into the air.
More humid rooms won’t have these adverse side effects but too much humidity can lead to damage to your home. If you notice a musty smell or see stains developing on the walls or ceilings, there could be patches of rotten wood or mold colonies infecting your Metro-East home. It’s best to reach out to a local HVAC maintenance company such as C&K Heating & Cooling, Inc. for an inspection.
Humidity Needs Change With the Weather
During the cold harsh winter, Illinois residents are plagued with cracking skin and dry sinuses. While humidifiers can’t be used to change the weather, they can help your home’s environment from drying out due to the cold. Even the best insulation can’t stop dry air from seeping in when the door is opened throughout the day.
The opposite is true in the summer, with more humidity requiring a dehumidifier to keep your home comfortable. Summer also comes with pest concerns as insects are attracted to moisture, some of them also being interested in feasting on the foundation of your home. Keeping a lower humidity can make your home less inviting for these pests.
Determining the needs of your home can be difficult given how many variables come into play. When you’re ready to make your Metro-East home as comfortable as possible, give C&K Heating & Cooling, Inc. a call at (618) 537-8888.
