Humidity in our homes is something we all try to avoid. It causes mold, moisture, creates condensation on our windows and is unanimously undesirable. However, humidity is not only a nuisance that we find unpleasant. As Harvard’s Annual Review of Public Health recently announced, there is over forty years of overwhelming evidence to suggest that human health is influenced by the buildings we all live and work in. By monitoring our indoor air quality, we can avoid any adverse effects that stem from humidity. Not only can high humidity levels influence our homes and health, but overly low humidity levels are now known to help the spread of infection. It is estimated that globally 10 to 20%¹ of homes are affected by some measure of dampness.

A home with a healthy humidity level can have numerous benefits. Ideally, a home should have a humidity level of about 45%. If it dips below 30%, it’s much too dry, and if it’s above 60%, the high humidity may start to feel uncomfortable. If your home humidity level stays around 45%, your living environment will be cleaner, safer, healthier and more comfortable.

The benefits of maintaining ideal humidity levels for your home in the winter include:

• Prevention of common illnesses and symptoms: Viruses, like the ones that cause the flu and the common cold, transmit more easily in dry air. Air at the proper humidity level also prevents sore throats and headaches and decreases contact lens discomfort.
• Better control of dust: An ideal humidity level helps to keep dust, allergens and pollutants out of the air, making the air cleaner and healthier to breathe.
• Hydrated skin: Prevent the symptoms of dry, irritated skin with increased humidity.
• Proper care of furniture: Extremely dry air can be hard on wooden furniture, hardwood floors, pianos and more. Proper humidity prevents warping or cracking.
• Reduces electrostatic shocks: Dry winter air makes the ideal conditions for those annoying little shocks we get when we touch certain surfaces. Prevent this by increasing the home’s humidity.