Wisconsin might not be the most humid or arid place in the country, but that doesn’t mean homeowners here don’t need to pay close attention to their relative indoor humidity levels. According to the EPA, indoor relative humidity shouldn’t exceed 60% and ideally, it should fall between 30%-50%. Moisture levels outside this range can lead to a variety of issues, including inefficient heating and cooling, health problems, and more.
Read on to find out if your home needs humidity control and learn why managing indoor moisture levels is so important.
Signs Your House Needs Humidity Control
If your home needs indoor humidity control, you’ll likely notice a few glaring signs that indicate the air is too dry or moist. Here’s what to watch for:
● Dry air. Persistent dry skin, itchy eyes, and dry nasal passages are all good indications that the air in your house is too dry. You might also get a bloody nose at completely random times or experience an itchy throat even if you don’t have allergies. Low humidity can also cause excessive static electricity, which you’ll probably notice in your hair and clothes. If you have carpeting, static electricity will likely be noticeable there, too.
● Humid air. High indoor moisture levels often result in mold spots, mildew growth, musty odors, and in severe cases, damp walls or water stains. Some of these signs can also result from a plumbing leak, so if you notice them out of nowhere, call a plumber who can rule out leaks before you assume excessive humidity is the culprit.
The Critical Importance of Indoor Humidity Control
Given that the most common symptoms of improper indoor humidity levels all relate to health issues and home damage, the importance of controlling relative moisture levels can’t be understated. Air that’s too moist can trigger mold growth, which can cause serious health problems in certain individuals and create an ideal environment for structural rot to set in.
Air that’s too dry can cause plenty of household problems too. It can dehydrate caulking, door seals, window seals, wood flooring, leather upholstery, and other household components, leading to expensive repairs and in some cases, inadequate protection from the elements.
But that’s not all. When your indoor relative humidity is out of whack, it can even cause your HVAC system to operate less efficiently. In summer, your cooling bills will likely be higher than average, and in winter, your heating costs will probably climb too.
What Are Your Options for Controlling Indoor Humidity?
Thankfully, you don’t have to live with indoor air that’s too dry or too moist. Permanent humidifiers are designed to add the appropriate amount of moisture to dry air, while dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from overly humid indoor air. With either of these apparatuses installed, your indoor air quality will improve and you’ll also enjoy a more efficient HVAC system and enhanced indoor comfort.
Request an Estimate for Whole-Home Humidity Control Today
Whether your home is too dry or your indoor moisture levels are off the charts, a whole-house humidity control system from our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating can help. We offer a variety of permanent humidifiers designed to control your home’s moisture levels year round, so you can enjoy enhanced indoor comfort and savings on your monthly energy bills.
To get started or learn more about indoor humidity control for your Wisconsin Rapids home, give us a call today at 715-421-1800. You can also send us a message with your questions, and we’ll get in touch shortly!