Having balanced humidity is important, especially for Portland area homeowners who experience extreme moisture during summer and excessive dryness during winter. When indoor environments have too much or too little humidity, it can cause potential health problems, damaged possessions, and overall discomfort indoors. Maintaining balanced humidity plays a major role keeping a healthy and comfortable home.
Finding an Ideal Humidity
Humidity describes the amount of moisture in the surrounding air. If you are unsure or suspect you have problems arising from too much or too little humidity, consider the purchase of a hygrometer. This inexpensive device measures an area’s exact humidity. Experts recommend indoor humidity levels between 30 and 50 percent for ideal comfort and protection against mildew, mold and other humidity-related issues.
Balanced Humidity
You have several options to achieve a more balanced humidity in your household. If you are experiencing too much humidity, consider a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture in your indoor air. A stand-alone or portable dehumidifier can target smaller rooms or areas that see excessive moisture buildup, such as your kitchen or finished basement. If you think your entire house could benefit from reduced moisture, definitely consider a whole-house dehumidifier.
Sometimes, usually during the winter, the problem is the exact opposite; you don’t have enough humidity in your home, and family members complain about irritated throats and sore nasal passages. In this scenario, you want a humidifier to add moisture to your indoor air. Humidifiers can also be bought as portable or whole-house units.
However, before committing to either of these solutions, check to be sure your humidity (or lack thereof) is not the result of plumbing leaks, inadequate ventilation, or ground water seepage. Consider contacting a professional HVAC technician to assist you in finding the exact causes of your humidity issues. They will help you find and address the issue.
For more information about how to achieve more balanced humidity, or to learn about other HVAC products and solutions, contact your local experts at Roth Home & Cooling. Our full service technicians have been proudly providing superior service to Portland area residents since 1976.