Stay Cool & Healthy in the Humid Climate of SWFL

Just as with temperature, every individual is most comfortable under different humidity levels. That being said, there is a range that is most appropriate for ideal living conditions. Your home’s air conditioner does its best to keep your home cool and keep the humidity at a comfortable level, but living in the humid climate of Southwest Florida can challenge the unit’s ability to do so. If you feel that your air conditioner is struggling to keep up, it may be time to consider other options for your home. There are some basic tips you can use around your home to help keep your humidity levels lower, as well as specialized equipment you can install to monitor and correct the humidity level in your home. Both high levels of humidity and low levels of humidity can have a negative impact not only on the comfort of you and your family, but also on your home and belongings. We’ll help you understand the importance of regulating the moisture in your home and find the appropriate ways to do so.

Automate the Control of Humidity with a Humidistat

Perhaps the most convenient way to control the humidity in your home is to install a humidistat. This is a device that is similar in function to a thermostat, only instead of responding to temperature changes, a humidistat monitors and responds to changes in the humidity levels. It works in combination with a whole home dehumidifier. When the humidistat registers that the humidity level in the home has reached a level that is too high, it will respond by triggering the dehumidifier to pull excess moisture out of the air until the home is returned to a comfortable humidity level, at which the humidistat will respond by turning the dehumidifier off. BHS can install these whole-home systems, so that your humidity level is controlled automatically, without you having to worry about cleaning portable units or using DIY tactics. If you’d like to learn more about this option, please give us a call and speak to a member of our team.

Potential Problems Caused by Too Much Humidity

While we all need some humidity in the air to stay comfortable, too much can be a bad thing, both for our health and the condition of our home. An abundance of humidity can cause:

Excess Moisture: Too much humidity causes an excess of moisture in your home, which creates an environment in which mold, mildew, fungi, bacteria, and viruses thrive. This is not good for anyone as it can degrade your indoor air quality and even cause you or your family to get sick.
Allergy irritation: Increased humidity levels can flare up asthma and allergy symptoms, creating a potentially harmful and uncomfortable environment for sufferers.
Discomfort: A high level of humidity can create a very uncomfortable environment, as the excess moisture can make the air feel heavy. It may be so bad that you can actually see condensation on the walls. The additional moisture makes your home feel warmer, causing you to turn your AC unit up to find relief, which uses more energy and increases your utility bills unnecessarily.

Potential Problems Caused by Too Little Humidity

Keeping your home at the perfect humidity level is the key to staying comfortable. Air that is too dry can cause just as many problems as air that is too moist, including:

Increased illnesses: A lack of moisture in the air can leave it feeling very dry, flaring up asthma and allergy symptoms and spreading cold and flu viruses more quickly. If your home has a low level of humidity, you may find yourself having problems with dry skin, chapped lips, and even nose bleeds, as the dry air takes a toll on your body.
Damage to home: Dry air pulls needed moisture out of building materials and furniture. This can lead to damage to your home as dry wood, flooring, and other materials can crack, which could require expensive repairs.
Discomfort: Just as too much humidity can make your home feel warmer, too little humidity can actually make it feel colder, making your home feel uncomfortable during cooler months and forcing you to use more energy to keep it at the right temperature.

The Best Methods to Control Humidity in Your Home

When it comes to the moisture level in your home, you have to find the sweet spot; otherwise, you and your family are left feeling uncomfortable. For most people, the ideal relative humidity level falls somewhere between 35 to 50 percent, so if your home regularly gets below or above this range, you might need a better way to control the moisture in your home. Some people find success by using free-standing humidifiers or dehumidifiers to distribute extra moisture into the air or pull excess out of the air. You can also follow some of these basic DIY tips to help maintain comfortable humidity levels:

How to Lower Humidity Levels

Use exhaust fans when cooking and showering
Ensure your dryer vents directly outside
Clean your AC filters
Take colder showers

How to Raise Humidity Levels

Air dry your clothes in your home
Place bowls of water near your heating source
Allow the steam from your shower to distribute throughout the home by leaving the bathroom door open when you shower
Let the warm water from your bath cool completely before draining
Place plants throughout the home

Call Us Today!

If you have additional questions about controlling the humidity levels in your home, please feel free to reach out to the team at Best Home Service. We can provide the answers you need.

Call Us today to schedule an Air Quality appointment!