Know How You Can Help Lower the Humidity in Your Home

Residents of Oklahoma don't experience the highest humidity in the lower 48, but moisture levels can be high enough in our homes to make us uncomfortable. Sometimes, homes may have conditions that can lead to higher humidity, where mold, mildew, fungus, other attendant bad smells, and deterioration of drywall become a problem. There are high-tech and low-tech solutions to lower humidity. Let's take a look at a few of them.

Whole-Home Dehumidifier

The whole-home dehumidifier is your best solution for lowering humidity. This dehumidifier is installed in the HVAC and helps remove moisture from the home's air and then exhaust it through the plumbing. This is likely to be the most expensive solution, but it's also the most effective.

You can also try portable dehumidifiers, but in most cases, these don't work as effectively as whole-home types, and they have to be moved around, emptied, and cleaned. 

HVAC System

Your home's HVAC system is the most common tool you can use to lower humidity. If the system is working like it should, it removes moisture in the form of condensation on the coils, then sends it through a condensate drain to the outdoors. This system works best when you have a clean air filter; a dirty filter impedes airflow, keeping the system from removing moisture effectively. Coils should also be clean if you want to effectively lower humidity.

Air ducts should also be connected and without breaches that allow humid air in.

Keep Moisture Out

Keep moisture out of your home by closing doors and windows. If you have ceiling leaks or leaking plumbing, get the leaks fixed. Also, follow these tips:

• Refrain from using moisture-producing appliances, such as the dishwasher and the laundry machines, so often.

• Don't cook when you can avoid it, instead using the microwave.

• Keep plants shut up in one room. 

Use Exhaust Ventilation

You can limit running excessive water by taking shorter showers, but also look into exhaust ventilation to the outdoors in the kitchen and the bathrooms. The ventilation should not go to the attic, where it will just trap moisture.

For more on how to lower humidity, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

What Level of Humidity Should Exist in Your Home?

Improper indoor humidity levels not only downgrade your comfort but also increase your chances of contracting diseases. Therefore, it's important to maintain the normal humidity level in a home.

What Level of Humidity Is Ideal for Your Home?

Generally, the ideal home humidity level for comfort and health should be between 30% and 50%. When your home's humidity level exceeds 50%, you'll feel uncomfortable. What's more, the increased moisture could lead to:

• Mold growth

• Condensation on toilet tanks and windows

• The decay of flooring, structural materials, and other surfaces in your home

A percentage below 30% is dry and can lead to:

• Sinus issues

• Dry skin

• Static electricity

At 5% or less, the air is excessively dry. It can cause:

• The peeling away of wallpaper

• Cracking or warping of building materials and wood furniture

The weather and seasons heavily influence the ideal amount of home humidity. Air can hold more moisture at high temperatures than at low temperatures. In the summer, a humidity range between 30% and 45% is ideal. During the winter, it's best to have your indoor humidity below 40%. Higher humidity levels in the winter can lead to condensation issues.

How Do You Maintain a Normal Humidity Level in a Home?

The best way to maintain a normal humidity level in a home throughout the year is by using a whole-home humidifierand dehumidifier. The systems work automatically with your HVAC system.

Use a humidifier in the winter when indoor humidity tends to linger around 15%. In the summer months, utilize a dehumidifier, as air naturally holds more water.

The normal humidity level in a home will have a significant effect on your health and comfort, as well as your energy bills, by decreasing your usage of your HVAC system. To learn more about the normal humidity level in a home, contact Air Assurance. Residents in the Broken Arrow area know they can count on us to help control indoor humidity and keep their heating and cooling systems running correctly.

Getting the Right Humidity Levels for Your Home

Most of us don't realize we can control the humidity levels in our homes for greater comfort. Too often, our homes are too damp in summer, or too dry in winter. Read on for ways to control home humidity.

Best Relative Humidity

The best humidity levels are usually between 35 and 55 percent. In summer it's best if the humidity is lower — around 35-40 percent — because warm air holds moisture, which can make us feel even more uncomfortable on a hot day. Relative humidity higher than 50-55 percent prevents perspiration from evaporating on our skin, so that we feel sticky and can't cool off.

In winter, it's best to keep the humidity a little closer to the 50-55 percent range so that the air retains some moisture. This helps prevent skin and respiratory tract irritations that result from too-dry air.

How to Control Humidity

To monitor humidity in the home, you will need an inexpensive humidistat.

When you want your air to be drier, do the following:

1. Install exhaust ventilation to the outdoors in wet areas such as bathroom and kitchen.

2. Make sure you change the air filter in the HVAC system, and have the evaporator coils cleaned. The HVAC won't dehumidify your home effectively with a dirty filter and coils.

3. Sequester plants to one room so they don't give off moisture throughout the home.

4. Limit shower time, as well as the boiling of water.

5. Fix plumbing and ceiling leaks.

6. Air seal your home and fix your ductwork to prevent the intrusion of moist air.

7. You may even need to install a dehumidifier if your home is excessively damp.

For more on controlling home humidity, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Can Indoor Humidity Affect Your Energy Bills?

The level of indoor humidity in your home makes a big difference in your comfort and it will affect your energy bills. Humidity drives the “feels like" temperature, which is how your body perceives it versus the actual temperature as measured on a thermometer. The amount of water vapor in the air makes people feel warmer or cooler, regardless of the temperature.Humans use evaporation to cool their bodies and when there’s less humidity in the air, water evaporates faster. When the humidity is higher, evaporation occurs more slowly. You’re much more likely to be comfortable on a hot day with low humidity compared to a warm day with high humidity.

Managing Humidity in the Home

Ideal indoor humidity levels range between 30 and 50 percent year-round. The most efficient way to manage humidity includes central humidifiers and dehumidifiers. They attach to the air handler and will either increase or lower water vapor levels.Both operate automatically using humidistats, similar to thermostats, to keep humidity levels comfortable and healthy throughout the home. These systems require little maintenance and use less energy than using portable humidifiers or dehumidifiers.You can also achieve lower humidity in the summer by:

• Using kitchen and bathroom ventilation fans to remove excess water vapor.

• Running ceiling fans to increase comfort by evaporating skin moisture faster, although they won’t change the air temperature.

• Verifying the clothes dryer vents outdoors.

• Using dehumidifiers in unconditioned basements.

Increase humidity in the winter by avoiding the use of the kitchen and bathroom fans and supplementing it with indoor plants, simmering water on the stove, or using portable humidifiers or vaporizers.

The Benefits

The primary benefits of managing humidity levels are greater health and comfort along with lower cooling and heating bills. In the summer, lowering the level reduces cooling costs and in the winter, increasing it trims heating bills. Your health and that of your home also improve when the humidity stays between the recommended ranges.To learn more about indoor humidity and maintaining a healthy level, contact the pros at Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for the Broken Arrow region.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about humidity and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

How Low Humidity in Your Home Affects Your Health

When winter arrives and you need to run the heating system to stay warm and comfortable, the humidity in your indoor air can drop too low. This occurs because cold winter air doesn't hold moisture very well, and heating it makes the problem even worse. Excessively low humidity in your home can cause various health-related problems, such as:

• Dry eyes. The eyes produce tears to lubricate and flush out contaminants and irritants. In dry-air conditions, this vital liquid dries up too, which makes it easier for the eyes to become irritated or worse, infected.

• Respiratory issues. When you breathe air containing too little moisture, mucus membranes lining the respiratory and nasal passages dry out. This can cause sore throats, nose bleeds, chest congestion and coughing, and worsen conditions like allergies, asthma, COPD and chronic bronchitis.

• Dry skin. A lack of humidity also draws moisture out of the skin, leaving it uncomfortably itchy and scaly. Dry skin can also start to crack, which makes it more vulnerable to bacterial infections.

• Increased risk of illness. Certain bacteria and viruses thrive when the air is dry, which increases the likelihood of contracting the flu, colds and respiratory infections.

Solutions to Improve Low Humidity

Indoor humidity in the 30 to 50 percent range is ideal to prevent health problems related to dry air. Here are two reliable methods for boosting your indoor humidity levels:

• Room-size humidifiers. These plug-in units can hold one to several gallons of water. They're best used in a child's room or other bedroom to improve dry conditions and make sleeping more comfortable.

• Whole-home humidifiers. These house-size units are installed on the HVAC air handler and plumbed into the water supply so they fill automatically. They also have a humidistat control that can be placed in a spot where it's easy and convenient to adjust the setting. This ensures that an optimal amount of moisture gets added to the warm air coming from the furnace, so it's humidified before being distributed through the ducts.

For expert help solving low humidity problems in your Broken Arrow home, contact us at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor humidity and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Natural Ways to Reduce Humidity in Your Home

If your home's air feels thick and you can smell a musty odor, you may have excess humidity in your home. If left unchecked, the excess moisture can cause mold growth, wood rot, and blistering or peeling of paint. So how can you reduce your home's humidity levels? Here are some natural solutions you can use:

Ventilate

Ventilation increases airflow and helps lower humidity levels. Install fans that duct to the outside in your bathroom and kitchen. If you already have vent fans, ensure you switch them on and leave them running longer.

Reduce Shower Time

Long showers can result in a buildup of moisture in your bathroom as well as the surrounding rooms. Taking shorter showers can help lower the moisture buildup in your home. You should also consider installing a low-flow showerhead.

Use Calcium Chloride or Kitty Litter

Placing bowls of calcium chloride or kitty litter around your home can help reduce humidity by absorbing some moisture from the air. Make sure you replace them every few weeks.

Reduce Houseplants

While a few houseplants can make your home healthier, too many of them can increase the moisture levels. Reduce the moisture these plants add to your indoor air by moving some of them outside. You can also cover the soil around the plants to prevent its moisture from escaping into your home's air.

Make Repairs

Inspect the exterior of your house for defects. Water leaks may contribute to high humidity levels. Fix any loose roof shingles and flashings and keep the gutters clear. Waterproof concrete basement walls. Seal around the areas where your walls meet the ceiling and flooring.

By taking these steps to lower humidity levels, you'll feel more comfortable at home and save money too due to reduced energy bills. To learn more about eliminating excess moisture and any other home comfort issues, please contact us at Air Assurance. We've been helping homeowners in the Broken Arrow area with their HVAC and plumbing needs since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about reducing humidity and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “coyot/Pixabay”

Find the Right Heat/Humidity Balance

People complain about humidity in the summer months, but many don't know that it can also be a problem in the winter. However, in the winter, the issue lies with having too little moisture in the air instead of too much.

Who Needs Humidity Anyway?

Even though it may not feel like it during the summer, moisture in the air does serve a useful purpose. It helps prevent:

1. Cold and allergy symptoms feeling worse as dry air can irritate your throat and mucous membranes.

2. Leather clothes, shoes, or furniture drying and cracking.

3. Skin, especially the sensitive skin on your lips, getting dry and chapped.

4. Wood furniture and floors drying out, leading to cracks and other structural problems.

Can Humidity Save Money?

Perhaps one of the best reasons to control the moisture in your home is your energy bill. The higher you set your thermostat in the winter, the more energy you pay for. Obviously, you'd like to keep your home temperature reasonably low for cost reasons. You may find that you're sacrificing your family's comfort when you lower the thermostat, though.The solution may just be to raise the humidity in your home. If your air is dry, it will wick away the moisture on your skin more quickly. This has the same effect as a cool breeze when you are sweating on a hot day - it leaves you feeling cooler.Keeping your home's relative humidity at 45-55% in the winter means that the air has enough moisture not to dry out your skin. In turn, this leaves you feeling warmer. You can lower your thermostat a few degrees without noticing a drop in comfort.

How Do You Maintain Consistent Humidity?

Even though plug-in humidifiers will add humidity to your home, they are unable to adjust the amount of moisture they put out to keep the moisture in your air at a consistent level. A whole-home humidifier works through your HVAC system to deliver the right levels of moisture and adapt to changing air conditions.

For more information about controlling humidity in your Broken Arrow home, contact Air Assurance today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat and humidity balance and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “clker-free-vector-images/Pixabay”

What the "Feels Like" Temperature Means For Your Home

Great home climate control means more than having a powerful furnace or air conditioner. Other factors influence the "feels like" temperature and the comfort of all residents in the home. Here is more information about those variables and tips for improving your home's climate.

Humidity

Humidity has a very direct effect on the "feels like" temperature. In order to understand why the apparent temperature is often different from the actual temperature, it is helpful to understand how humidity affects us.

High humidity makes temperatures feel warmer. This is because perspiration, which cools the body through evaporation, evaporates only slowly when the air is already heavy with moisture. Alternatively, when humidity is low, perspiration evaporates rapidly and you feel cooler.With this in mind, you will feel more comfortable by reducing home humidity levels in summer. A properly working air conditioner will reduce humidity levels to an extent. However, during the dog days of summer when humidity starts to soar, an air conditioner might not be enough for this purpose. When this happens, consider adding a dehumidifier. Dehumidifying the home can quickly make the "feels like" temperature several degrees cooler.

In winter, the same holds true regarding the warming affect of higher humidity. As humidity levels fall, you will feel chillier. By adding humidity to your home in winter, you will feel warmer and might be able to save a bit on heating costs.

Fans and Drafts

Flowing air is another factor that affects how you feel in your home. When air moves across your skin, it removes heat from your skin’s surface and you feel cooler. The principal is the same as the wind chill factor you’ve heard about on cold and breezy winter days. In summer, you will feel cooler when a fan is running and, in winter, you might feel overly cold in a drafty room. This, paired with your home’s humidity level, has a big influence on the apparent temperature in your home.

For more information about improving the "feels like" temperature in your Broken Arrow area home, please contact us at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Oakozhan/Shutterstock”

Is There a Humidity Problem in Your Home?

A little humidity can be a good thing, but having excess moisture in your Broken Arrow home can lead to a variety of issues. Not only does it make your home feel damp and clammy, but it can also trigger a host of allergy and asthma symptoms due to increased mold and mildew growth. If left unchecked, it could even lead to structural problems in your home.

Ways to Spot Moisture Problems

If you happen to spot the following, then it’s likely you’re looking at an excess moisture problem in your home:

• Excessive condensation on glass doors, windows and walls

• Peeling paint, visible moisture spots and/or cracks on walls

• Visible mold and mildew growth on walls and other surfaces

• Frequent allergy symptoms or respiratory issues

How to Deal with Excess Humidity

Now that you’ve discovered the problem, it’s time to deal with the underlying cause. These helpful tips can go a long way towards dealing with your home moisture problem once and for all:

• Increase your home’s ventilation – Make sure your home has enough flow-through ventilation to help carry away humid air. You may need to improve your home’s attic ventilation or even invest in a specialized ventilation system.

• Curtail moisture-creating activities – Bathing and cooking can easily raise humidity levels, so steps should be taken to reduce that source of moisture. Start by cutting back your showering or bathing time. Keep your pots and pans covered while you cook and always use your range and bathroom exhaust fans while cooking and bathing.

• Invest in a dehumidifier – Unlike air conditioners, dehumidifiers are dedicated full-time towards removing excess moisture from indoor air. Portable and whole-house dehumidifiers are available for dealing with localized and house-wide moisture problems.

Contact the experts at Air Assurance and learn more ways you can spot humidity before it becomes a serious problem in your Broken Arrow home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Mario7/Shutterstock”

Keep Cool and Reduce Humidity in Your Home With These Tips

The first goal of any air conditioning system is to cool the home, but that's not the only thing. Effective residential cooling also requires the ability to reduce humidity. If your home is cool but still damp and clammy, your A/C isn't doing its job. The good news is that every homeowner has available strategies to dehumidify the home. 

Dehumidification Steps for Your Home

The following are a few ways to dehumidify your home:

• Effective ventilation: This is especially important in rooms or areas where activities add moisture to the air, such as bathrooms and the kitchen. Make sure these areas have exhaust fans that are vented to the outside. The last thing you want is for moist air to be redirected back into the house.

• Attic ventilation: A hot, muggy attic can have a negative effect throughout the house. Make sure the attic has the right amount and type of vents, and consider an attic fan. The attic floor should be properly sealed and insulated to separate attic heat and air from the downstairs living spaces.

• Shorter, cooler showers: Those 15-minute, steamy showers may feel good, but they add a lot of moisture to the air that can remain in the bathroom and general area for hours afterward. Along with using the bathroom exhaust fan, take shorter showers that aren't so hot. Install low-flow shower heads to reduce humidity and save water.

• Use the A/C: Most of the time, you can better dehumidify household air with the air conditioner running than by opening windows. A well-maintained, properly sized cooling system is designed to remove moisture from indoor air.

• Get a dehumidifier: For persistent whole-house humidity, you'll need an effective whole-house solution such as a dehumidifier that connects directly to the home's HVAC system.

For more advice on how to remove humidity from your greater Tulsa area home, please contact us at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “PJStock/Shutterstock”

How Well Does Your A/C Remove Humidity?

Oklahoma can get pretty humid over the summer, and everyone knows that the heat is harder to tolerate when there's a lot of moisture in the air. Extra moisture causes the air to become muggy and oppressive.  But did you know that you can use your A/C to remove humidity?How well your A/C removes the humidity can depend on a number of factors including, how strong the humidity is, how hot the day is, and how many moisture producing sources you have in your home at any given time.   Here are  a few tips on how to use the A/C to remove humidity.

• When your compressor runs, it automatically takes some humidity out of the air, but the more moisture it's condensing, the more of its energy is devoted to humidity control instead of cooling. If you turn the A/C on early in the morning before the heat of the day builds up, you can get a head start on dehumidifying the house before more energy needs to be devoted to cooling, helping it keep up.

• Check your home for air leaks in the doors, windows, or ductwork that may be letting humid air back into you home. Sealing these leaks with weatherstripping, caulking or duct tape can significantly change how hard your unit has to work to keep your home dehumidified.

• Turn on exhaust fans when using the stove or shower, to make sure that as much of moisture and heat gets vented before even making it into the rest of your home.

• Don't let the fan on the A/C run if the compressor isn't on. The fan doesn't dehumidify while the compressor is off, and can blow more moisture back into the house.

• Don't turn the thermostat down to dehumidify faster. Unless you have a two-stage cooling system, the compressor can only dehumidify so fast. Turning the thermostat down just causes it to run for longer, burning more energy for very little benefit.

For more information on using your A/C to remove humidity in your home, contact Air Assurance.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: GSPhotography/Shutterstock”