What is humidity?
The name actually says it all: the amount of moisture (water vapor) in the air. The air can contain very little moisture but also a lot. We then talk about dry and moist air respectively.
The humidity in the home is expressed as a percentage. If the humidity is below approximately 40%, we speak of dry air (low humidity). If the humidity is above approximately 60%, we speak of moist air (high humidity). A well-balanced humidity ranges from approximately 40% to approximately 60% and creates a healthy living environment.
Dry air
When the air is dry, there is relatively little moisture (water vapor) in the air. The humidity is then low. If this is the case for a long time, your body loses fluid and your mucous membranes dry out. In dry air, your lungs are also less able to absorb oxygen from the air. This causes various complaints such as headaches, fatigue and concentration problems. Your throat and lungs dry out, which can also cause you to suffer from a dry throat and a dry cough. An environment with too dry air is therefore anything but a pleasant living environment.
Moist air
On the other hand, if the air is too humid, there is a relatively large amount of water vapor in the air. This makes you sweat faster, but can also cause shortness of breath. Due to the high presence of water vapor, this also creates a breeding ground for insects and increases the risk of mold formation. That is absolutely not optimal for your personal living environment.
How do I measure the humidity in my home?
With an air humidity meter, also called a hygrometer, you can measure the humidity in your home. This way you know whether a room is too humid, too dry or just right in terms of humidity.
To gain optimal insight into the humidity in the house, we usually recommend placing the hygrometer in one room for several hours and taking measurements in different rooms in the house.
What if the air is too dry?
If it turns out that the humidity in your home is too low, you can do several things:
- Attaching open containers with water to the heater. The heat causes the water to evaporate so that the air becomes more humid.
- Purchase a humidifier. This adds moisture to the air so that ideal humidity is gradually achieved.
What if the air is too humid?
If it turns out that the humidity in your home is too high, you can do several things:
- Purchase air conditioner. This ensures that moisture is removed from the air by cooling the air.
- Purchase a dehumidifier or moisture absorber. These ensure that the humidity is reduced by converting the air into water.
Other general tips to improve humidity in your home:
- Ventilate well every day by opening windows and, if necessary, doors. A few hours a day is sufficient for this.
- Place lids on pans and switch on the extractor hood while cooking. Even shortly after cooking, it can help to leave the extractor hood on for a while.
- Open a window or door while showering so that steam can escape. It can also help to dry the walls after showering.
- Let the laundry dry outside instead of inside. If the laundry is dried indoors, this can be done with the window open, for example.