Call UsRelative Humidity Temperature Dew Point
Humidity is simply the amount of moisture that’s present in the air. Whenever we mention “humidity,” we usually are talking about “relative humidity” – the amount of moisture the air contains compared to the maximum amount the air can contain at a specific temperature. Dew point refers to the temperature at which the water in the air starts condensating, which happens when relative humidity reaches 100%.
Helpful humidity facts
- Whenever air temperature increases, the amount of moisture in the air increases as well.
- People often feel the most comfortable in the 45% RH range.
- Low RH (25% or less) increases static electricity at home. It also contains adverse health effects such as dry skin, dry eyes, bronchitis, and sinus problems. Indoor air that’s considered “too dry” is more likely to happen during the wintertime, when the air is dried out by heating systems.
- High humidity (above 50%) encourages the growth of bacteria and mold, while attracting dust mites. Such organisms can cause health problems. Mold can destroy organic materials and eventually lead to rotting wood. High humidity is much more likely to be a problem in the summertime, however your air conditioning system dehumidifies the air when cooling it.
- High humidity issues are often detained to damp areas of the house, such as kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and crawl spaces.
- Moisture condenses out of the air when the air temperature dew point is met. Whenever you take a hot shower, water droplets on the bathroom window or mirror show moist, interior air has reached its dew point around these cool surfaces.
Humidification, dehumidification, or both?
- In most homes, dehumidification is often more important than humidification. This is because our daily indoor functions, which include doing laundry, showering, cooking, watering plants, etc. tend to raise indoor humidity.
- There’s usually a problem with too much humidity, as it causes mold and mildew. Basements and crawl spaces are common areas affected by excessive moisture. Even when these spaces appear dry, soil moisture can continually penetrate through the foundation and floor slab if the outside ground is wet or damp. When humid air gets in contact with cooler surfaces in this enclosed environment, dampness builds up and creates ideal living conditions for mold and dust mites.
- Two ways to fight against humidity are to air-seal crawl spaces as well as basements, and to run a specific kind of dehumidifier made to work well in such areas. In order to keep your basement, crawl space, and other areas of your home dry, learn more about dehumidification and its solutions by giving us a call.
Looking for a good price? Call us at 508-536-0608 for a free estimate.