You already know humidity impacts how it feels outdoors, but it can make an even more noticeable difference inside your home. From air quality to the performance of your HVAC system, too much (or too little) moisture in the air can cause a range of comfort and even health problems that homeowners shouldn’t have to deal with.
Understanding how humidity impacts your HVAC system can help you manage your indoor environment and ensure your system operates efficiently throughout the year. This article explores all the ways humidity affects your home’s air quality, comfort, and HVAC system.
Humidity’s Effect on Your Living Environment
Quick question: What’s the ideal indoor humidity level? It turns out there’s no one specific RH (relative humidity) percentage to aim for. However, AprilAire, an industry leader in IAQ (indoor air quality), recommends keeping home humidity levels between 40% and 60%.
Staying within this 40% – 60% range can prevent various issues related to both comfort and HVAC efficiency. If humidity gets too high, you’re inviting pests like dust mites and cockroaches into your home. If it’s too low, you’re increasing your susceptibility to colds, respiratory illness, and viruses.
Now, let’s see how humidity affects your HVAC system.
High Humidity and Your HVAC System
High levels of moisture in the air pose several challenges to HVAC units. As finely tuned as today’s heating and cooling technology is, slight humidity variances can put additional stress on your system.
Heat Capacity and Increased Workload
Anyone who’s lived in the Midwest knows that an 80-degree day can feel balmy or oppressively hot, depending on the humidity level. The same philosophy applies to your home! If humidity is regularly above 60%, you might feel the urge to lower your AC a few degrees to compensate.
Without getting overly scientific, it’s important to understand water has a higher “heat capacity” than air. That means it takes longer for water to cool than air. If your home’s air is overly humid, you reduce your AC’s overall cooling efficiency. To maintain the same comfortable temperature in your home that you’re used to, you’ll be looking at higher energy bills.
Poor Air Quality
You know that the food you eat plays a significant role in your overall health, but what about the air you breathe? A humid environment leads to the growth of mold, mildew, and dust mites, which can drastically impact indoor air quality. These allergens—among many others—can cause respiratory issues and other health problems, particularly for those with allergies or asthma.
Low Humidity and Your HVAC System
Now that we’ve covered the problems associated with high humidity, let’s examine the other side of the coin. As you may expect, excessively low humidity comes with its own set of issues, including:
Dry Air and Discomfort
Low moisture levels can make a room feel colder than it actually is. While you can always turn up the heat, dry air can also cause health problems. Aside from the added energy cost of raising the temperature, a constant flow of hot air dries out your nasal passages, increasing your vulnerability to several unpleasant conditions.
Believe it or not, one of the main reasons we tend to get sick in the winter is dry indoor air. The lack of humidity reduces the effectiveness of the mucus membrane in your nose, which is responsible for purifying air before it enters your lungs. Think of it like a sticky trap that catches dirt and dust – if it dries out, it doesn’t work. The hot air coming from your vents contributes to this “drying out” process and reduces your body’s ability to keep germs out.
In addition, dry air causes a variety of other issues, including dry skin and static electricity. It can also cause wooden furniture and flooring to crack or warp, leading to costly repairs.
System Strain
Just as with high humidity, low humidity can strain your HVAC system. Heating dry air requires more energy. Over time, a system operating in an excessively low-humidity environment may wear down quicker and require more frequent repairs and part replacements.
Balancing Humidity for Optimal HVAC Performance
We’ve covered the drawbacks of too much or too little humidity – but how do you find the right balance? To optimize your home’s humidity levels and ensure your HVAC system operates efficiently, try out these tips:
Use a Humidifier or Dehumidifier
Depending on your climate and indoor humidity levels, a humidifier or dehumidifier can help you achieve the desirable 40% – 60% (approximately) humidity level. Invest in a machine that offers cross-functionality depending on your needs for maximum cost-effectiveness.
Maintain Your HVAC System
A properly functioning HVAC system should be able to regulate your home’s humidity under normal conditions. Regular maintenance, which includes cleaning or replacing filters and ensuring proper airflow, can help your HVAC system perform at its top capacity.
Because maintenance is critical to catching minor problems before they turn into more expensive ones, we recommend becoming a Hoock’s Heating & Cooling MVP! Member benefits include two visits per year and a multi-point inspection, plus a 15% discount on repairs if you need them.
Comfort Starts at Hoock’s Heating & Cooling
Life is better when you’re comfortable. At Hoock’s, our mission is to ensure you have complete control over your home’s comfort and air quality. If you’re experiencing humidity, heating, or cooling issues, our expert technicians can help you diagnose and fix the problem as efficiently and affordably as possible.
Contact a Hoock’s team member today to schedule your appointment and experience the customer service and attention to detail you deserve from your HVAC provider.