Dry or humid air - which is better for your health?
What are the recommended humidity values for your home or office?
The conditions in which we live are very important for our health. However, few people think about the quality of the air - its humidity, and what impact it has on our lives. Usually, in spring and autumn, the humidity is higher. In summer and winter, we may have drier air, but this generally also depends on the room itself and its location.
How do you know if the air you have in the room is not bad for you? What does this depend on? Is it possible that if you have air that is too dry, you could get sick? What can you do about it? We will answer these questions in the following lines.
Impact of dry air
There are certain indicators that the air is too dry. As we said, what the indicators are depends mainly on the type of room and its location.
Sometimes, dry air can occur due to excessive operation of the air conditioner. If the humidity level is below 35%, you can be sure that the air is too dry. If this is not accounted for and you do not take measures, the humidity can drop below 10% and this can lead to health problems.
Such problems can be dry and irritated eyes, irritated and itchy skin, dry sinuses and more. You may also feel a dry throat, and eventually, your immune system may weaken. This, as you know, makes us more susceptible to catching colds or other types of viruses.
How to deal with dry air?
If you have already found that the air in the room you often inhabit is too dry, we advise you to take measures. What you can do is invest in a humidifier or an evaporator.
This type of appliance adds moisture to the room's air and so can balance the levels. It is important to keep humidity levels around 30 to 50%. Not only will you not feel dry this way, but you will also sleep much better.
Another thing you can do is seal the gaps in your home or office. This is also good for the air conditioning of the room. You will be able to enjoy lower electricity bills, and your air conditioner will run more efficiently.
It's also important to take care of your body by remembering to hydrate. For this, it is good to drink purified water and use moisturizing creams for lips and skin.
How does humid air affect us?
Humid air is usually characterized by a heavy stale smell, sometimes also of mold. In excessively humid conditions, breathing is difficult, and we may feel faint.
If humidity levels exceed 60%, discomfort begins to be felt, which can complicate conditions such as asthma and allergies in some people. This is due to the fact that mold and mildew begin to develop in air that is so humid. The presence of such substances in the room can irritate the respiratory tract and can even be toxic.
How do you safely manage humidity levels?
Humidity levels determine how we feel in our home or office, how efficient we are and even what mood we are in. That's why it's important to take care to control them. Here are a few ways that can help you control the humidity in the room you inhabit.
- Ventilate the room
One of the most common reasons why moisture accumulates in our home or office is that we don't ventilate enough. Air circulation helps to reduce moisture and prevent mold from forming. For greater effect, you can open opposing doors and windows to create a draft for a period of time. If you regularly ventilate for an hour or two a day, this will reduce humidity.
- Take shorter and colder showers
The room that creates the most moisture is the bathroom and then the kitchen. Especially if you don't have fans in these rooms, air vapor can create problems. What you can do to reduce the vapor is to ventilate after every bathing and cooking. You can also take shorter and colder showers.
- Use your air conditioner
Especially if you have Dry mode on your air conditioner, use it to reduce the humidity in your home. When the humidity is higher you may not feel the actual temperature in the room. This is why your air conditioner can be very helpful in such conditions. However, it's not advisable to use this mode for too long to avoid drying out the air.
- Use dehumidifiers
Another effective appliance that can aid the performance of your air conditioner is a dehumidifier. The good thing about these appliances is that they are portable and easy to maintain.
You can use a moisture meter, known as a hygrometer, to raise the humidity levels in your home or office.
What is the safest humidity level for your home?
A good humidity level for a room is between 40 and 60%. These conditions are not too dry for your skin and will ensure you can breathe freely.
Ensure perfect conditions in your moisture-free home or office. Visit the Midea.bg website, where you can view our dehumidifier and air conditioning system offers. For more information, contact our team.