We all know how humid it can get in St. Louis during the summertime. Not only is high humidity uncomfortable outdoors, but it can also have negative effects inside your home. So what exactly happens to indoor humidity levels during the cooling season and what can St. Louis area homeowners do to control it?
What happens to indoor humidity levels during the cooling season?
Humidity is a measurement of the amount of moisture in the air. During the winter, the air in our homes becomes very dry and leads to negative effects like static shocks and aggravated symptoms of asthma and allergies. Humidity in the summer has the opposite effects. During the cooling season, there is a lot of moisture in the air, which leads to a host of other problems inside your home.
The effects of high humidity
When the humidity becomes too high in your home, it leads to the growth of indoor allergens like mold and dust mites. This makes your home very uncomfortable for anyone who is sensitive to allergies or suffers from ailments like asthma.
High humidity can also damage your walls and furniture. The moisture in the air can rot and stain your walls, warp furniture, stain your ceilings and lead to bad odors in your home.
The best indoor humidity levels during the cooling season
Humidity levels are considered high when they get over 55 percent. While the EPA recommends that it’s best to maintain your indoor humidity between 30 and 50, the ideal indoor humidity level is around 45 percent.
You can control the humidity in your home by installing a dehumidifier. Similar to a whole-house humidifier a whole-house dehumidifier is used to regulate the moisture levels in your home. However, instead of adding moisture to the air, dehumidifiers remove it.
If you have any questions about indoor humidity levels, or if you’d like your cooling system serviced by a high-quality contractor, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, your St. Louis area heating and cooling company.
Photo credit: Banjol
