Detect the signs of low humidity and take action to prevent damage to the home.
Heat is sealed inside during colder months to ensure that everything inside (including you!)
However, one aspect of environmental or climate control that often goes overlooked is thehumidity insidethe home.
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What Is Low Humidity?
Typically, low humidity is when the relative humidity is below 40 percent.
Learn more about what it means to have low humidity in your house.
Relative humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the air relative to the current temperature.
Warm air holds more water vapor than cold air.
This means that the relative humidity of the air is typically much lower when it’s cold outside.
However, this ultimately reduces the overall relative humidity of the home.
Additional causes for low humidity in the home include the excessive use of air conditioning or of a dehumidifier.
There are many ways of increasing the humidity in your home that are both inexpensive and easy to do.
Another option is to leave the water in the bathtub after a bath until the water cools.
Lets erase the Air: Using Ventilation Practices to Promote Healthy IAQ in Schools.United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Moisture Control Guidance for Building Design, Construction and Maintenance.United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Energy Star, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
How Humidity Damages Your Home and How to Fight it.Building Performance Institute.