Source: Photo By Svetlana Lukienko/Adobe Stock
Most of us tend to focus on the indoor temperature during winterbut we forget to consider indoor humiditywhich plays a vital role in keeping your indoor environment healthy and comfortable. It’s essential to maintain an appropriate humidity level in your home year-round.
Low humidity can cause dry and itchy skinnosebleedscracked lipsand a miserable night’s sleep. In contrasthigh humidity in your home can promote mold growthwhich leads to various problemsincluding health issues and structural damage.What Is Relative Humidity?
You can measure humidity in several different ways. Howeverrelative humidity (RH) is the most common. Relative humidity is expressed as a percentage. It is a ratio of the current amount of water vapor (moisture) in the air and the maximum amount of vapor the air can potentially contain at a given temperature.
A 100 percent relative humidity reading means the air is saturated as it is holding as much moisture as it can at a given temperature.
Cold air holds less moisture than warmer air. SoHumidity increases in summer when the temperature is warmer. While in winterwhen the temperature dropsthe humidity naturally drops.
Using your heating system in winter can also exacerbate the problem of low humidity as it dries out your indoor air. When you heat your homethe water vapor capacity of the indoor air increases while the moisture content in the air doesn’t change. As a resultthe relative humidity can drop uncomfortably low during the wintertime.
Read on to find out how you can maintain the ideal indoor humidity level in winter while enjoying a comfortable temperature.
The Most Comfortable Indoor Humidity Level in Winter
Source: Photo By mashiki/Adobe Stock
Maintaining the ideal indoor humidity in winter is a balancing act. Too much moisture can result in condensation and mold growthwhile too little will result in discomfort and potential health concerns.
Sowhat is the ideal indoor humidity level in winter? According to the EPAindoor relative humidity should be kept below 60% and ideally between 30% and 50%which is also the ideal humidity level for a baby’s room.
Sticking to this humidity range will ensure your home is not too dry and not too humid during winter. It’s the ideal range for your healthcomfortand your home’s structural integrity.How to Monitor Humidity in Your House
Source: Photo By Irina/Adobe Stock
To measure the relative humidity inside your homeyou will need a hygrometer. Most digital hygrometer models are inexpensive and easy to use. Some hygrometers have multiple sensorsletting you keep tabs on humidity throughout different areas of your home.
The top models have remote monitoring capabilities through WiFi or Bluetoothso you can use your smartphone to remotely monitor the conditions of your home from anywhere. To find the right hygrometer for your needstake a look at our extensive review of the top models.
A digital hygrometer makes it simple to monitor conditions and helps you maintain an appropriate amount of moisture in your home. A hygrometer will also measure the ambient temperature for youwhich will help you reach the recommended indoor temperature during winter.
The Problems Low Humidity Can Cause
Low humidity in winter can result in dry conditions that can affect your comfort and healthand it can also cause damage to your home. Here are some of the most common issues associated with low indoor humidity:
- Dehydrated skin: Your skin has a moisture barrier that needs constant replenishment. This moisture barrier evaporates faster in a dry environmentmaking your skin itchyflakyand cracked.
- While moisturizers can helpmaintaining ideal humidity levels in winter is a more sustainable solution. Naturallywe sweat more when we sleepso deciding where to place the humidifier is also essential for a great result.
- Scratchy throat: A scratchy throat is often a warning sign that you’re about to get sickbut it can also be a symptom of a dry environment. Your throat contains mucous membranes that dry out quicklyleading to the feeling of a dryunpleasantly scratchy throat.
- Irritated sinuses and nosebleeds: Just as with a scratchy throatyour sinus cavities and mucous membranes in your nose can dry out quicklyleading to a burning or irritating sensation.
- Nosebleeds can result from driedirritated mucous membranesand the easiest solution is to increase the humidity. For more help with this issuesee our article here to find the best humidifier for nosebleeds.
- Static electricity: When your home is appropriately humidifiedthe static electricity in the air naturally dissipates. Howeverindoor air is excellent at storing electrons when it is dry. This build-up of static electricity can cause unexpected electric shocks when you touch a conductorsuch as a doorknob or a metal surface.
- Wood damage: Overly dry air will absorb the moisture out of the wood in your homeleading to the wood crackingsplittingand bending.
In particulardry air can damage wooden floorsthe wooden frames of your homefurnitureand even musical instruments. While properly treated wood is more resistant to dry airlong-term exposure raises the risk of damage.
How to Increase Indoor Humidity in Winter
Source: Photo By rh2010/Adobe Stock
A humidifier is the most reliable and effective way to increase indoor humidity in winter. A humidifier can rapidly add moisture to the air and maintain a comfortable humidity level with its built-in humidistat.
Humidifiers can range dramatically in size and function. Portable evaporative or ultrasonic humidifiers can increase humidity in a single roomwhile whole-house humidifiers attach to your HVAC system and control humidity throughout the whole home.
No matter which option you choosemake sure to buy a suitable model for your home’s size and your needs. For help selecting the best model for your homeread our large humidifier guide.
Other ways to humidify your home in winter include:
- Air-drying your clothes inside: Instead of using a tumble-dryerlet your clothes dry inside in a room or living area that you want to humidify. The moisture will evaporate from the clothes into the air and raise your indoor humidity levels as they dry.
- Adding houseplants to your home: Plants release moisture into the air through a process called transpiration. The more plants you havethe more noticeable the moisture-releasing effect—as long as you remember to water them!
- Showering with the bathroom door open: Your bathroom is often the most humid room in the home. You can spread this humidity from a hot shower to other places by showering or bathing with the door open. Be sure to warn other household members in advance!
What Are the Dangers of High Humidity Levels?
While uncommon in winterthere is still a possibility of having too much humidity in your home. Condensation is often the first sign that you are over-humidifying your home.
Condensation occurs when moisture-laden warm air hits a cold surface or when there’s too much humidity in your home. The water vapor condenses and forms water droplets. If left untreatedthe condensation can lead to mold growth and wood rot.
You can fix high humidity through various meansincluding:
- Turning down humidifier settings.
- Improving ventilation and ensuring exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen are working correctly.
- Using a dehumidifier.
Final Thoughts
Humidity can have as much of an impact on your comfort as the temperature doesespecially when you're trying to obtain the best humidity level for sleeping.
Maintaining the ideal indoor humidity level of 30%-50% in winter can be tricky when heating your home. Howeverif you use the right-sized humidifier for your homeyou can avoid the consequences of dry indoor air while staying cozy and warm throughout the season.
