No matter what climate a person lives in, the level of relative humidity in the air can affect the comfort in the home, as well as the proper functioning of heating and air conditioning systems. Managing ideal indoor humidity should be a priority for every homeowner, especially when it comes to tailoring heating and cooling preferences to suit personal home needs. However, these requirements are minimal.
Before moving on to the main point of the topic, it is necessary to turn to the problems and solutions of normal humidity. To do this, look at the basics.
What is Relative Humidity (RH)
OC is the amount of water vapor present in the air, "expressed as a percentage of the amount needed to saturate at the same temperature." When the temperature rises or falls, the air's ability to hold water changes. This leads to a change in the main indicators. Normal humidity is set depending on the climate and season. Such indicators may vary based on the number of people living in the premises.
Constant home humidity levels at home will ensure the efficient operation of home heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
The main question that worries apartment owners: "What humidity should be in my house in the summer and how to regulate it." In the summer months, the average should be 30-45% (below the 50% mark). In winter, an RH below 40% may be required to avoid condensation on the windows. By staying within proper ranges, problems can be prevented.
In other words, the right level of humidity helps the home owner feel cool in summer and warm in winter. If the levels are not properly maintained, not only will the home be very uncomfortable to live in, but the occupants may also become susceptible to respiratory distress or chemical reactions. Normal humidity can eliminate such problems. Many doctors advise people who have allergic reactions to monitor the indicator.
Furthermore, improper humidity levels can also cause damage both inside and outside the home. Removing unwanted moisture in a home is one of the main functions of an air conditioning system. However, it alone may not be enough to remove excess moisture that enters the apartment.
The ideal temperature in your home will depend on the preferences of the occupants, and maintaining the recommended humidity level at different times of the year will ensure your comfortand safety.
How to adjust home performance during the seasons
The optimal level of humidity in your home depends on your personal preferences, clothing and level of physical activity. Physicians suggest a range of 45% to 55% to control he alth and disease outcomes. This is quite enough for daily activities. Normal humidity is divided into several values.
Key indicators:
- Convenient - 30% - 60%.
- Recommended - 45% - 55%.
- High - 55% - 80%.
Poor performance issues
Additional equipment, such as a whole house ventilation system or a humidification system, may be required to solve humidity problems in an apartment. These systems are designed to improve home comfort and reduce the risk of performance-related he alth problems. Normal humidity in the apartment contributes to the safety of many household items. In case of deviation from the norm, there may be problems with he alth and materials in the apartment.
Low humidity can cause:
- Static electricity.
- Dry, itchy skin and brittle hair.
- Susceptibility to colds and respiratory diseases.
- Viruses and germs thrive.
- Damage to wooden furniture and floors, split furniture and cracks.
- Paint may crack.
- Electronics may be damaged.
First of all, indoor air becomes dry when the humidity level is low outside. In cool weatherheaters turn on, resulting in dry air. Frequent operation of radiators and heaters not only causes concern about the cost of heating, but also causes the sinuses to dry out, which can cause discomfort and breathing problems.
How to increase the humidity in the apartment
There are many articles on the Internet that describe improvised methods for such an action. The main ones include the use of open vessels filled with water. When using an open two-liter bottle of water in the room, the indicator rises from an average of 38% to 44%, but this takes about an hour. Normal humidity in the apartment can be established much faster with the help of specialized household appliances.
Additionally, you can purchase electronic devices in the apartment. They operate simply. The owner needs to pour water into the tank and set the desired humidity level on the sensor. After that, the system will slowly evaporate the liquid, which has a positive effect on increasing the level of humidity.
He alth benefits
Here are the main indicators of the effectiveness of the normal level of humidity in the house:
- Clears the sinuses, which improves breathing.
- Reduces the risk of infections. Viruses and bacteria do not live in moist air. Studies have shown that increasing humidity levels to 43 percent or more significantly reduces the ability of airborne viruses to cause influenza infections.
- Increases healing time frominfections.
- Humidifiers keep the inside of the nasal passages moist.
- Softer skin. Moisturizers help keep the skin hydrated, preventing dryness and dullness.
- Snoring relief. When moist air humidifies the respiratory systems, snoring can decrease in volume and actually subsides over time due to the relaxation of the nasal passages and the natural reduction of irritating airborne particles such as dust.
- Improves sleep. In addition to easing snoring, the humidity in the bedroom will help with a dry throat.
- Helps relieve sore throats.
Benefits for owners of apartments and houses
Normal air humidity in the apartment should circulate. For this, external and internal systems are made. As heat passes through the HVAC system, it releases dry air to heat the home. This dry air can also create some problems in the apartment.
Using a humidifier will improve, prevent or eliminate the following:
- Electric shocks. A humidifier can make the air slightly less dry and thus less likely to experience static electricity from touch.
- Cracked wooden furniture. Over time, dry air can warp furniture.
- Having a humidifier in your home will protect paintings, photographs and even your stamp collection from brittleness, discoloration, flaking and more.
Unfortunately, there is a downside to excessive levels of humidity:
- Mold growth.
- Wet insulation.
- Rot on wood.
- Discomfort while sleeping.
How to reduce humidity in the house
Now let's talk about desiccants. Using a dehumidifier is a good way to control air quality, which can cause asthma in an apartment for tenants. In addition, the indicators must be adjusted manually in the presence of small children in the room. Normal humidity in the apartment also affects the immune system.
You should think in advance about investing in dehumidifiers, as well as regularly cleaning and replacing filters in the system. They help regulate moisture levels and maintain it in an asthma-friendly environment. It is important to change the filters at least once a month, as a large number of bacteria accumulate on them when the air is dried. Normal indoor humidity when using such equipment will be at a level not exceeding 40%.
Also, when the humidity in the house is too high, you can reduce it by installing exhaust fans in the kitchen or bathrooms. However, it is necessary to monitor constant indicators so as not to lower the mark to a critical level.
The importance of level management
Depending on temperature conditions, indicators may vary. The normal indoor humidity is set manually each season based on the temperature and precipitation outside. Seasonal humidity can affect home comfort, so managing the humidity in an apartment at any time of the year can make timespent there much more enjoyable. The cold months of the year or the climate is not able to retain moisture, so you should control it inside yourself.
During the winter or in regions that are cold for most of the year, humidifying or adding moisture is essential as cold air cannot hold much moisture and tends to be dry. That is why you should install additional equipment to adjust the levels. Considering the question of what is normal humidity, one should also talk about temperature conditions in winter. The higher the air temperature, the drier the air.
Again, if you have a humidifier, you can independently set the humidity level by turning it on in winter. In the winter months, indoor humidity of 30-40% is recommended. You can also add live houseplants for humidification or place water containers next to the heating system.
Adjustment during the summer months
Answering the question: "What is the normal humidity of the air", it is necessary to determine this indicator in each season. Depending on the location of the apartment, the climate may vary. Being with bodies of water increases this stat.
During the summer months or in warmer climates, dehumidification or dehumidification becomes a priority. In climates where the air is very warm and humid for most of the year, the importance of additional dehumidification - or removal of moisture from the air - cannot be underestimated.
Without itadditions will not only make your home uncomfortable, but having too much humidity can encourage the growth of mold and bacteria. Humidity levels below 60% are recommended by most experts for the summer months. This rule also applies to offices. "What humidity is considered normal for schools and kindergartens" is an interesting question. The coefficient of the indicator is individual and is set in a particular region by inspecting authorities.
Location is not the only factor that can affect humidity levels. The standard functions of the apartment, such as the steam produced in the shower or when cooking, can affect the level of humidity in the room. It also creates a certain load on the climate inside. "What is the normal humidity in the apartment, if food is constantly being prepared in the kitchen" is an ambiguous question. The main thing is to install a good hood to mechanically reduce the percentage of moisture.
To make the house feel comfortable, especially in winter, it is recommended to keep the temperature of the heating devices around 22 degrees Celsius, and keep the relative humidity above 45% recommended. When washing, it is necessary to isolate the rooms so as not to increase the indicator in all rooms.
What air humidity is considered normal in a children's room? This question puzzles many parents. Especially newborn babies. 40% will be enough for acclimatization. By installing a humidifier connected to the heating or by placing it separately, you can controlhumidity in the apartment throughout the year.
How to measure levels
There are a few easy ways to tell if your home's humidity is too low or too high:
- Humidity and condensation on windows, moisture and mold on walls and ceilings indicate too much humidity.
- Increased static electricity, dried and cracked coatings and paint indicate low moisture levels.
If the user really wants to take the humidity seriously, they can purchase a device called a hygrometer to accurately measure the indoor temperature. Through the Internet you can buy a cheap one (digital or analog) for less than a thousand rubles.
Speaking about the normal humidity in the apartment, it should be noted that complex equipment helps to increase and measure the level of this indicator. Finding them is also difficult, as not all home appliance stores sell such equipment.
There are much more expensive combination devices that measure temperature and humidity levels, carbon dioxide, toxic chemicals and dust in the air. This technique allows you to remotely control humidity, as well as set automatic regulation when analyzing indicators.
Level up
Experts, speaking about what humidity in an apartment is considered normal, note that it is important to take into account the climatic properties of the air inside the room. They directly affect performance. Predominantly indoors in winterwarm air. In homes that use forced air heating, the problem has worsened as stoves and boilers use combustion to create hot air, removing much of the water vapor needed to achieve the optimum effect. As a result, everything starts to seriously dry up.
What is the normal humidity in the apartment? Experts call this issue controversial. When calculating, many external and internal factors act. The optimal rate ranges from 35% to 50%. Lower values cause static electricity, dry skin and hair, increased susceptibility to colds and respiratory diseases, and also promotes the spread of viruses and germs. Adding a humidifier to your home will solve these problems.
There are three standard types to choose from:
- Natural evaporation. Adding moisture to the air is as simple as placing a container of water on or near a radiator or other air heating system (there are small containers for that). Leaving damp towels and clothes to dry are other ways that moisture can get into the air. This is a very technical and low power method, however the control is limited and the available moisture depends on the size of the vessel used and must be replenished frequently.
- Portable / room humidifier. The most common type of humidifier is portable, such as the type that is placed on the floor or other surface. Maybework both in manual and automatic mode.
- Built-in ventilation and humidification system in the apartment. The best and most controlled humidity system. Radiators and a whole house humidifier can be added to it, so that the vapors are distributed directly in the heated air and circulate throughout the apartment in a conventional duct system. The entire house system is the most expensive option and requires a connection to cold water and space for a humidifier unit. With a whole house humidifier, the humidity level is controlled using a device called a hygrostat - this method has the greatest humidification capacity and provides the most stability in the whole.
What to do if the level is too high
Normal humidity in winter is provided by equipment and improvised means. It is important not to exceed the rate of more than 50%. This can lead to dampness. Homes can have too much humidity (especially in certain regions), which will create its own set of problems. If the owner of the apartment has a high level of humidity, condensation around the house will become noticeable, especially at the windows in winter. It is during this period that the warm, moist air inside comes into contact with the cold air on the other side of the window, the temperature drops and the air can no longer hold water vapor, resulting in condensation.
To fix such problems, do the following:
- If there is a humidifier, it must be turned off for the period of cold weather.
- When condensate is detected, turn on the dehumidifierair.
- Turn on exhaust fans while cooking and bathing, or blow through open windows if there is fresher, drier air outside.
Additionally, the amount of water introduced into the house should be reduced. Cook with closed pots, take cooler, shorter showers. In winter, it is better to take plants out of the apartment, and dry the laundry on the balcony.
Conclusion
An efficient air conditioning system will help remove unwanted moisture from your home. However, in order to do this, the equipment and ductwork must be correctly dimensioned and installed. Normal humidity in the apartment should be at least 45%. Exceeding or decreasing this indicator can adversely affect human he alth.
Adequately sized systems have sufficient capacity, long runtime and adequate airflow to remove excess moisture from the home. A specially designed and installed heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for the apartment will provide comfort. It can also save money as heating and electricity costs are reduced.
Winter can create the opposite problem as humidity levels can get too low. This often causes skin irritation, dry sinuses, damage to hardwood floors and furniture, and general discomfort. Whether the apartment owner has a heat pump or a gas, oil or electric stove, a whole house humidification system can be a goodsolution to help regulate these rates.
