5 Tips to Help You Manage Your Vancouver Home Humidity Level
If you’re suffering from itchy eyes, a sore throat, or dry, chapped lips, it may appear to be seasonal allergies. You might be inclined to simply chalk it up to feeling a little under the weather. But a larger, ongoing issue could be at play. If you’re experiencing any of these health issues, your indoor humidity level could be to blame.
Look around for condensation on your windows or any signs of mold or mildew growth in your home. These are common indicators that your indoor humidity level could be too high. If so, we may be able to help.
Entek has been improving the indoor comfort and overall health of our clients in the Pacific Northwest for decades. Here are our top five tips for managing your Vancouver humidity level and maximizing your indoor comfort in the process.
1. Seal Air Leaks
Though fairly moderate, the climate in the Pacific Northwest is typically cool and wet. That means if you have any air leakage in your home during the winter months, the warm air inside your home can escape, and your indoor air temperature can feel cooler than it should. Likewise, during the summertime, air leaks can make your home feel warmer than it otherwise would.
The warmer the climate, the higher your humidity level will be. This is a cause for concern because humid and damp conditions are a breeding ground for mold. Some people have very few health problems when exposed to mold. But others may suffer some serious health issues from mold exposure. Some examples include cold-like symptoms, allergic reactions, and asthma attacks, just to name a few.
In order to prevent the risk of health complications associated with mold and high humidity levels, you should make sure that your home is properly sealed to prevent air from escaping. Not only can sealing air leaks improve indoor comfort, but it can also improve your home efficiency and lead to significantly reduced energy costs.
2. Use Whole-House Humidifiers or Dehumidifiers
Just as high humidity levels can cause health problems, low humidity levels can as well. Overly dry air can cause dry skin, itchy eyes, and an irritated throat and nose. It can even cause your wood furniture to rot.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the ideal humidity level should be somewhere between 30 and 50 percent. If you’re uncertain what the humidity level is in your home, you can test it by purchasing a hygrometer, which can be found at most hardware stores.
If you find that the humidity level in your home is too high or too low, there are relatively easy ways to adjust it. If your humidity level is too low, for instance, you can purchase a home humidifier to add extra moisture to the air. On the other hand, during the hot, summer months, Vancouver humidity levels can become too high. In this case, you can run your air conditioning unit or purchase a dehumidifier to make the air in your home drier.
You can purchase humidifiers and dehumidifiers at most home improvement stores and appliance retailers. If you do plan on using this product to regulate your home humidity levels, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to keep the product clean and free from bacteria. When humidifiers or dehumidifiers aren’t well-maintained, they can cause almost as many health problems as irregular humidity levels.
3. Ensure Your Home Is Properly Ventilated
Keeping your home well-ventilated is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to lower the humidity level in your home. Running a hot shower or bath, cooking, and washing dishes are just a few of the daily activities that add moisture to our homes. In order to combat this, run the exhaust fan in the bathroom when you’re taking a shower or in the kitchen when you’re cooking. You can also install a whole-house fan to help circulate the air through your home.
4. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
Another cost-effective way to regulate your home’s humidity level is to invest in a smart thermostat. Many programmable thermostats on the market today come equipped with smart features that help you control your home humidity level by allowing you to select preferred settings.
Just as a smart thermostat syncs up with your HVAC system to help you control the temperature of your home, you can also use a smart thermostat to help better regulate your home humidity level. For instance, you can program your desired humidity level and then select the option to dehumidify your home using your AC. Your preferred settings then work in tandem to keep your home at your desired temperature while also maintaining a comfortable humidity level.
Whether you have issues with your humidity level or not, we highly recommend upgrading to a smart thermostat. Programmable thermostats have many benefits, such as increasing your comfort levels while lowering your home energy costs. You can learn more about the benefits of upgrading to a programmable thermostat here.
5. Preventative Maintenance
Of course, one of the best ways to maintain proper home humidity levels is through preventative maintenance and a home performance energy assessment. Regular maintenance appointments are key to ensuring your HVAC equipment is running smoothly, so you’re less likely to have problems with things like mold growth and moisture buildup.
At Entek, we know the best way to ensure your family’s optimal health and comfort is to schedule a home performance energy test. Our HVAC technicians will be able to evaluate your home’s overall efficiency and make recommendations to save you money, improve your indoor comfort level, and streamline your daily lifestyle through smart and efficient technology.
To schedule an energy test or learn more about the products and services we offer, give us a call. From small, simple adjustments to long-term energy-efficient home upgrades, we’re confident we have the right solution for you. And once you’re able to manage your Vancouver home humidity level, reduce your overall energy expenses, and improve your family’s health, we guarantee you’ll feel much more comfortable in more ways than one.
