Here at Galmiche and Sons, we are big believers in using a whole house humidifier with your HVAC system during the winter, but is there such thing as too much humidity? The answer is yes! Surprisingly, too much humidity in your home can have an adverse effect on your health. During the dry and cold winter months, most people are trying to add humidity to their indoor air. But it is important to find the right balance and avoid bringing too much humidity into your home. It is important to find that sweet spot for humidity, between 30 and 60 percent year round. You can achieve this by using a quality humidifier or dehumidifier in your home.
If you think you are suffering from too much humidity in the home, give us a call at 314-993-1110. Our team of heating and air conditioning experts are here to help!
The Dangers of Having Too Much Humidity in Your House
With the appearance of covid-19 over the last year, there is more focus that ever on making sure your home is clean and safe. Most of us are taking to cleaning surfaces and items around the house, but did you know that high humidity in your home’s air can allow bacteria and viruses to thrive. Over 60% humidity allows for airborne contaminants to linger in the air for much longer before they settle on a surface. This is just one of the reasons you should avoid too much humidity at home.
Here is a helpful list of other reasons to keep it under 60%:
- Man Made Contaminants – Like bacteria and viruses, chemical contaminants rise in higher humidity due to reacting with the water in the air. These compounds can have ill health effects such as skin and eye irritation and chronic respiratory issues.
- Increased Allergens – If the humidity in your home is over 60%, a higher number of allergens will be present in your HVAC system. Things like dust mites and fungus spores wreak havoc on people with allergies.
- Issues for Asthma – When the humidity levels in your home reach a high level, microorganisms begin to thrive. These little pests are invisible to the naked eye but exacerbate the symptoms of asthma.
- Discomfort – If you have ever been outdoors during a St. Louis summer, you have experienced the effects of too much humidity. Sticky and sweaty, it is not the most comfortable feeling. You do not want to experience this in your home, even in the winter. One more reason to keep your humidity levels balanced.
Why is My Humidity So High?
If you are experiencing high humidity, it could be caused by one of the following:
- Poor ventilation
- Air conditioning unit is too large
- Your HVAC system needs maintenance
If you think it is one of these issues, give your HVAC provider a call.
Don’t Live with Too Much Humidity in Your Home!
At Galmiche & Sons, we are the top St. Louis heating and air conditioning specialists, and we have years of experience helping our customers achieve ideal humidity levels in their home. Give us a call today at 314-993-1110 for any of your HVAC needs.
