It’s necessary to achieve ideal relative humidity in Southern homes, no matter what the season, because too much or too little humidity can lead to health problems and potentially damage your home. A whole-house humidification or dehumidification system can help you achieve just that: an ideal relative humidity for your home suitable for the current climate.

A healthy humidity level is generally between 45 and 55 percent, a point at which most people are comfortable (and healthy). Household wood products require humidity between 40 and 45 percent. However, as the outside temperatures fluctuate, so do the inside temperatures — and this affects the home’s humidity.

The only way to solve the problem of dry air is to use a mechanical system to add moisture back into the air. Humidifiers are designed to do just that, and some models will automatically “read” the outdoor temperatures and adjust their output accordingly. In that way, you can “set it and forget it” and be assured of an ideal relative humidity inside your home. Dehumidifiers do the same thing, but extract moisture from the air in the summer season, when the air is typically too humid.

A whole-house model is often a good solution. Typically installed alongside your HVAC system, the de/humidifier will either release or extract moisture from the air, and have several advantages:

• The system will have a capacity to accommodate your home’s square footage.
• It’s optimal for homeowners who are sensitive to dry winter conditions.
• It provides whole-house protection from dry air for wood materials.
• It offers protection from muggy conditions that lead to the development of mold and bacteria.

However, whole-house systems will cost more to purchase. Portable units are available and offer these advantages:

• They’re helpful for mild sensitivity to dry air.
• They’re less costly to purchase.

But they also have disadvantages:

• Their capacity is restricted to a single room.
• They cannot sense temperatures and adjust output.
• To achieve ideal comfort, you’ll have to move the unit from room to room as you move throughout the house.

For more information on humidity issues, contact us at Powers Heating & Airtoday.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about humidity and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Powers Heating & Air serves Peachtree, GA and the surrounding areas.  Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Humidity Meter image via Shutterstock