Ideal Humidity Levels for Your Norman, OK, Home

Understanding Humidity

If you've ever walked outside during an Oklahoma summer and noticed the air is sticky, then you know how big of an impact humidity can have on your day. Humidity simply refers to the level of water vapor in the air, measured in percentages. You generally can't see the water vapor, but you can certainly feel it at high levels.

Managing indoor humidity levels is an important part of keeping your home comfortable. Finding the right balance ensures the air in your home isn't too dry or too humid - either extreme can cause problems.

Why Ideal Humidity Levels Matter

With as much time as we spend in our homes, finding the right balance of humidity affects both comfort and safety. Personal preferences can vary but a general guideline for indoor humidity levels is to maintain a range of 30% to 50%.

Some of the ways indoor humidity affects your home include: 

• Comfortable Living: Humidity levels between 30% and 50% help create a comfortable indoor environment, preventing dry air and alternatively, that sticky feeling associated with high humidity.
• Health & Well-Being: Keeping an ideal humidity level for your home can reduce allergy symptoms, help you sleep better and improve overall indoor air quality.
• Mold Prevention: Mold thrives in damp environments. Keeping humidity levels below 50% help inhibit mold and mildew growth to protect your home and family.
• Energy Efficiency: Balanced humidity levels can support your HVAC system too! Dry air feels cooler so you can se your thermostat a bit higher while maintaining the same comfort level.

Low Indoor Humidity

If humidity levels drop below 30% in your home, you might notice that the air feels dry and uncomfortable. Low indoor humidity is especially prevalent in the winter, impacting your comfort and your home.

Indoor humidity levels below 30% can cause: 

• Dry eyes, nose, throat and skin.
• Irritated respiratory passages.
• Increased risk of respiratory infections.
• Cracking or warping of wooden furniture and floors.

High Indoor Humidity

On the other end of the scale, high indoor humidity levels can make your home just as uncomfortable. High humidity is most common in the summer and brings its own set of problems.

Indoor humidity levels above 50% can cause:

• A muggy, uncomfortable feeling in your home.
• Condensation on windows, mirrors and surfaces.
• Mold and mildew growth that cause musty odors and structural damage.
• Increased energy consumption as your AC works harder.

Seasonal Considerations

The Norman, OK, area has distinct seasons, each with its own humidity challenges. Having the right air quality systems will help keep your home between 30% and 50% humidity for year-round comfort.

In the summer when the weather is especially hot and muggy, use a dehumidifier in your home to maintain humidity levels and ensure they stay below 50%. Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air to eliminate condensation, prevent mold hotspots and support your HVAC system.

In the winter when the air tends to be dry, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air and keep humidity levels above 30%. Humidifiers keep the air in your home comfortable by reintroducing the right amount of moisture to avoid dry, cracked skin and irritated eyes and throat.

Monitoring & Maintenance

Measuring and monitoring the humidity levels in your home will let you know how close or far away it is from the ideal range. Outside of using a humidifier or dehumidifier to combat seasonal weather, there are a few easy steps you can take to maintain 30% to 50% humidity.

1. Use a digital thermostat with a humidity sensor. You don't need expensive equipment to know your home's humidity levels! Installing a thermostat with a humidity sensor, or hygrometer, will let you know how humid your home is so you can make necessary adjustments.
2. Utilize proper ventilation. Using exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms can help reduce excess moisture and balance humidity levels. Open windows when possible to maximize fresh air circulation and make sure vents and air ducts aren't blocked, causing reduced airflow.
3. Maintain HVAC systems regularly. Your home's HVAC systems will naturally aid in balancing humidity levels. Scheduling routine maintenance in the early spring and fall ensures that your heating and AC equipment is prepared for Norman weather.