Ed note: There are a number of inexpensive hygrometers available on Amazon to check your apartment’s humidity level. Some residents find our winter indoor dryness just too dry – giving them dry itchy skin and dry eyes. Part of this, of course, is age related, but part could be due to low humidity levels. First of all we need more data on our individual apartment’s humidity. The most comfortable levels appear to be in the 40-60% range. 30% may be OK but borderline. Below are some practical tips to achieve a comfortable humidity level.
As we transition from fall to winter, the air outside becomes cooler, and naturally, the humidity starts to drop. In our efforts to stay warm and cozy, many of us crank up our HVAC systems which only exacerbates the problem. While our heating system increases the temperature, it doesn’t add any moisture to the air.
The result? Relative humidity levels in our homes drop quite low during the wintertime. Any moisture in your home is quickly sucked up into the air, including the moisture that evaporates from your body.
It’s not unusual for humidity to fall well below 30%, and with it bring a number of issues, including, dry/itchy skin, nosebleeds, cracked lips, an uncomfortable night’s sleep, and even damage to your home’s woodwork. For those of us that already hate the cold and snow, being surrounded by dry indoor air at home can make winter that much more miserable.
According to the Mayo Clinic, ideally, the humidity levels in your home should be between 30 and 50 percent. Below this, and you’ll experience the problems we’ve just described. Above that, excess moisture in your home can promote the growth of bacteria, mold and dust mites. We recommend purchasing a digital hygrometer to monitor the relative humidity inside your house.
So, what is the best way to humidify a room and combat dry air? By far the best solution to fix dry indoor air is to use a large humidifier. A humidifier will rapidly increase the moisture in the air and help maintain a comfortable level of humidity. However, both the cost to purchase a humidifier, as well as the increase in electricity costs as a result of its near-continuous operation during the driest periods, may make it too expensive for some.
For that reason, we’ve taken the time to also include alternative Eco and budget-friendly solutions in this list of ways to help raise the humidity levels in your home. Some of our suggestions will only require you to make small adjustments to your regular household routines! Let’s get started.