Humidity is usually measured as what is known as relative humidity (RH). That RH indicates the amount of moisture in the air relative to highest amount the air can hold at a specific temperature.
An example of relative humidity would be an RH of 100% indicating that the water vapor is all the air can hold at the current temperature. If the RH exceeds 100%, moisture will condense from the air (think “steamy” windows).
Warm air can hold more moisture than cool, so as the temperature in a room changes, the RH will also change even if the actual amount of moisture in the room hasn’t.
It all sounds very scientific. And in fact, if you really want to measure the RH accurately, you need to use what is known as a hygrometer, which sounds even more scientific.
So what if you aren’t Mr. Wizard and you just aren’t comfortable and suspect the issue may be humidity? Well, here are a few tips that will let you know what’s going on with your humidity.
If you’re experiencing too much humidity, look for condensation on the windows, wet stains on the walls or ceiling, mold growing in your bathroom, generally musty smells, and possibly some allergic reactions. In the long term, excessive humidity can lead to damage to both your house and its contents as well as to ongoing allergies and possibly other health problems.
If you’ve noticed chapped skin and/or lips, a scratchy noise or throat, breathing difficulties, static, or maybe even problems with electronic equipment, you probably have too little humidity. Left as it is, excessively low RH can lead to continuing discomfort and damage to your household items such as furniture.
If your humidity is not what it should be, there are a couple of things you can do.
If you’re experiencing excessive humidity, probably your best alternative is to purchase a home dehumidifier such as the Frigidaire FAD704DUD dehumidifier. Because of its capacity and portability, this type of appliance will work in a variety of settings.
One easy trick that can help with low humidity, is to set bowls of water on radiators. As the water evaporates into the air, the humidity will increase. Or if your problem is severe, consider getting a humidifier.
Most people can live with some variation in the RH in their homes, but if you’ve had enough, there are steps you can take.