It can be said that while humidity is essential to our health and our homes that Winnipeg in the winter is drier than in humidity than the Sahara Desert. True we all need some moisture as well as humidity in our homes and offices to maintain both comfort and health levels. However either too much or too little humidity can result in any number of problems ranging from condensation on window panes, moldy bathrooms, and musty basements to the full gamut of serious problems and concerns such as permanent damage to building and structures or respiratory concerns and allergies.
The most reliable way to measure the overall humidity in any dwelling is with a standard hygrometer - a fairly small, inexpensive as well as easy to use measurement tool which can be had at most big box or smaller hardware or building construction or heating / air conditioning supply stores and outlets.
Humidity Control
Is there an overall relative humidity (R.H.) rate or measurement that is held in the heating and air conditioning trades as a fair and acceptable health and comfort standard? Yes, overall and in general furnace and air conditioning cooling trades recommend in the range and ranges of 30 %. Remember as well that the term is not simply the one word "Humidity" but rather "Relative Humidity". What this entails is that the measured humid levels and measurements - that is moisture in the air - is relative to the temperature. Moisture is released by air as the temperature decreases, and picked up by the air as the ambient temperatures increase. Thus air that has a low rate when warm or hot, can and will rank a high number as it cools. Acceptable comfortable air when warm - say 75 or 80 degrees Fahrenheit can when chilled to 20 degrees begin to give up its moisture, become humid and "sweat" when cooled or chilled to the lower temperature ranges. Thus in the wintertime and cold weather the humid rh index should be no more than 30 % - thus giving lots of leeway should temperatures decrease yet more. However during the warmer times of year - say during summer - the R.H. relative humidity levels can increase to 60 % maximal range with no concerns what so ever to health or comfort.
What can be done to reduce excessive or high moisture levels in your home or abode? Plenty and most of it is fairly easy, standard and relatively inexpensive. Remember though that the issues may be seasonal so that problems do not creep up in the summertime but will over the cooler winter, fall and even springtime seasons.
Here are some simple steps to consider. First of all reduce moisture loss. Close the bathroom shower and washing machine drier utility rooms during use. Open the windows or better yet install an outdoors leading exhaust fan or fans. If rooms are draughty or chilly then caulk up and seal up air draft leaks, and as well insulate walls and doors if possible.
Improve heat to areas that need it. It may be a simple matter of a heating professional adjusting the heating duct flow balance in your home and / or simply cleaning ducts of dust and wintertime debris to increase and speed up warm air flow from your furnace.
Perhaps your furnace needs to be cleaned and tuned up this fall as well. Lastly do not forget to replace or clean your furnace's air filters. Clogged furnace filters restrict and reduce warm air flow. Throw away disposable filters are inexpensive to replace and can be swapped in a snap. More expensive yet effective electronic air filters need to be cleaned as well. You can simply wash the electrostatic air filters in a sink with warm clean non soapy water or in many cases even placed in a clean water cycle in your dishwasher.
In the end with a little bit of work, effort and rearrangement you should be able to normalize humidity levels in your home so that they are not an issue to health or comfort. That is high enough in the summer yet not to great during the colder and damper winter and fall times.
Measure Humidity Levels In Your Home in Fall and Winter, With a Hygrometer
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