Humidity plays a major role in home comfort and air quality
Too much moisture can lead to mold growth and poor air quality, while too little can cause dry skin, irritated sinuses, and damage to wood furniture. Here’s how humidity affects your home and what you can do to maintain the right balance.
Why Humidity Matters for Indoor Air Quality
According to Health Canada, ideal indoor humidity levels should be between 30–50%. Levels above or below this range can cause serious issues:
➤ High Humidity (Above 50%) – Encourages mold, mildew, dust mites, and musty odors.
➤ Low Humidity (Below 30%) – Leads to dry air, increased static electricity, and worsens allergy and asthma symptoms.
How Humidity Impacts Your HVAC System
Humidity control isn’t just about comfort—it also affects your heating and cooling system efficiency. FortisBC warns that excessive humidity forces HVAC systems to work harder, leading to:
➤ Higher energy consumption as your AC runs longer to remove excess moisture.
➤ Reduced system lifespan due to increased wear-and-tear.
➤ Poor heating performance as dry air makes it harder to retain warmth in winter.
How to Maintain Proper Humidity Levels:
|
Problem |
Solution |
|
Too much humidity |
Use a dehumidifier to prevent mold and moisture damage. |
|
Too little humidity |
Install a humidifier to maintain proper moisture levels. |
|
Humidity fluctuates |
Consider a smart thermostat with humidity control. |
Humidity plays a major role in home comfort and air quality
Too much moisture can lead to mold growth and poor air quality, while too little can cause dry skin, irritated sinuses, and damage to wood furniture. Here’s how humidity affects your home and what you can do to maintain the right balance.
Why Humidity Matters for Indoor Air Quality
According to Health Canada, ideal indoor humidity levels should be between 30–50%. Levels above or below this range can cause serious issues:
➤ High Humidity (Above 50%) – Encourages mold, mildew, dust mites, and musty odors.
➤ Low Humidity (Below 30%) – Leads to dry air, increased static electricity, and worsens allergy and asthma symptoms.
How Humidity Impacts Your HVAC System
Humidity control isn’t just about comfort—it also affects your heating and cooling system efficiency. FortisBC warns that excessive humidity forces HVAC systems to work harder, leading to:
➤ Higher energy consumption as your AC runs longer to remove excess moisture.
➤ Reduced system lifespan due to increased wear-and-tear.
➤ Poor heating performance as dry air makes it harder to retain warmth in winter.
How to Maintain Proper Humidity Levels
➤ Use whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers – These are effective ways to regulate moisture without overloading your HVAC system.
➤ Ensure proper ventilation – TECA recommends good airflow to prevent issues like mold growth and system inefficiency.
➤ Schedule regular HVAC maintenance – Keeps your system running efficiently and helps manage humidity.
Rebates & Payment Options
➤ BC Hydro and FortisBC offer rebates for home upgrades, including ventilation and humidity control solutions.
Maintaining the right humidity level protects your home, improves air quality, and helps your HVAC system run efficiently. If you’re struggling with humidity issues, contact ServiceXCEL for expert recommendations and rebate-eligible solutions. Learn more at www.servicexcel.ca.
