This Is the Perfect Humidity Level for Your Home During Winter (And Why It Matters)

The winter brings chilly weathercute coatssoups and snowplus dry air indoors and outdoors. Many heating systems in homes and buildings dry out the airand folks who suffer from dry sinusesdry skinchapped lipsand more can use a humidifier to keep the air moist.

The humidity level can impact not just your bodybut your hometoo. Dryness can cause warped doors and cabinetsgapscreaking floorsand in extreme casescracking. Dampness can cause mold.

Belowwe’ve consulted HVAC pros on the ideal humidity level indoors. We asked them for tips to maintain the perfect humidity levelespecially in the wintertime when it's difficult to do.

What Humidity Level Should You Maintain Indoors During Winter?

Ryan Osterkampowner of Quality Comfort Home Servicessays the optimal indoor humidity level during winter is between 30% and 40%.

This range helps prevent problems associated with dry airsuch as irritated sinusesdry skinand excessive staticwhich are more common in winter.

"You'll also be protecting your home and furniturekeeping it in the ideal humidity range because humidity impacts how wood contracts and expands," he explains. "Consistentcomfortable humidity reduces how the wood in your home behavesso you'll see less shrinking and cracking."

Dan CronenHVAC Expert at SupplyHouse.comsays that ideal humidity ranges don't change between summer and winter and that homeowners could safely reach humidity levels as high as 50%.

Howeverif you notice condensation on windows and wallswhich he says may be more likely in poorly insulated homes or those with single-pane windowsit's probably a good idea to lower your humidity levels.

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How to Maintain 30% to 40% Indoor Humidity in Winter

Cronen says that most homeowners struggle to keep indoor humidity levels up in winter because their homes are equipped with forced-air heating (think: furnaces and radiators)which dry out the air throughout the home.

To maintain the ideal indoor humidity range throughout your entire home during winterOsterkamp recommends a whole-home humidifier.

Some can be installed directly into your existing ductworkand Osterkamp calls this "the most efficient method to humidify your home."

If altering the ductwork is too pricey or your heating system is not be compatible with oneOsterkamp recommends localized humidifiers placed throughout the home.

If you're struggling to increase your home's humidity levelsboth Osterkamp and Cronen advise pinpointing drafty areas or air leaks as they could be contributing to humidity loss. Sealing up these drafts will make it easier to control your home's humidity level and likely lead to savings on your energy bill.

If the problem you have is too much humidity to your homeOsterkamp recommends switching your thermostat's fan setting from "AUTO" to "ON," which can help lower humidity by circulating air more evenly throughout the home.

What Happens if You Don't Maintain the Right Humidity During Winter

There are different consequences of failing to maintain optimal indoor humidity levels during winterdepending on which side of the humidity range your home falls.

"If your home isn't being kept humid enoughthe dry air will pull moisture from your body faster; this is what leads to dry winter skin and chapped lips," explains Osterkamp. "Homeowners with chronic conditions like eczema or asthma will probably notice an uptick in symptoms if their house is too dry."

On the other handindoor humidity levels above the 40% to 50% range during the winter can cause condensation on windows and wallsincluding inside wall cavities where you can't see it. This can lead to hidden mold and fungus growth that can go unnoticed for years.

"Air that is too humid will also make you feel colder because the water vapor in the air more effectively pulls heat from your bodyso you'll use more energy cranking up the heat to maintain comfort," Osterkamp adds.