Earlier this week we talked about bacteria and how St. Louis area homeowners can control them in their home’s air. Today we’re going to turn to another common problem when it comes to indoor air quality: high humidity. So what’s the link between indoor air quality and humidity and what can you do to prevent problems in your home?
How does high humidity affect indoor air quality?
Homes that have high humidity are at risk for poor indoor air quality because of all the indoor contaminants that thrive in moist areas: dust mites, fungi, and bacteria. These contaminants can also grow in your HVAC system, which might lead it to distribute contaminated air throughout your home.
Some common symptoms of people whose indoor air quality has been affected by high humidity are sneezing, stuffiness, runny noses, and itchy red eyes. The contaminants associated with high humidity can also cause allergic reactions in certain people and can bring on asthma attacks for people who suffer from asthma.
How to control humidity for better indoor air quality
- Lower the humidity in your home. The most obvious thing you can do to control moisture levels in your home is to lower the humidity. The ideal indoor humidity level is somewhere between 30 and 50 percent. You can lower the humidity in your home by running your air conditioner and installing a whole-house dehumidifier.
- Ventilate moisture-heavy rooms. Your dishwasher, shower, and drier are just a couple of things in your home that produce moisture. Whenever you are using anything that adds moisture to the air, it’s best to run a ventilation fan if you have one available. These are common in most bathrooms and kitchens.
- Add insulation to reduce condensation. Because condensation is wet, it is the perfect breeding ground for the indoor contaminants that come with high humidity. You can reduce or prevent condensation by insulating places where it occurs, such as your pipes and your walls.
If you have any questions about indoor air quality and humidity, or if you’d like an HVAC system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical and Plumbing, your St. Louis area heating and cooling company.