You’ve certainly heard the word before, especially at the Jersey Shore. High humidity is usually what turns a hot day into a REALLY hot day. Learn more about humidity by scrolling below!
Temperature Versus Humidity
Temperature is expressed in degrees. It’s a fairly simple concept: the higher the temperature, the warmer it is outside.
Humidity is a little different. You’ve likely seen it expressed as a percentage. This is officially called Relative Humidity. The percentage that you are used to seeing is the amount of water vapor in the air divided by the maximum water vapor that can be present.
That means at 100% humidity, the amount of water vapor in the air is at its maximum.
But How Does Humidity Impact Temperature?
We’ll give it to you straight. The truth is, humidity level does NOT impact the temperature. However, humidity can impact the way we perceive temperature. That’s why you might feel very differently about two separate days that are the same temperature.
On the flip side, temperature can have an impact on relative humidity. The maximum amount of water vapor changes depending on the temperature. That’s why 100% humidity in Winter versus Summer feels so different. When the air is a lower temperature, it isn’t able to hold as much water vapor.
What Is the Recommended Humidity Level for My Home?
It’s a great question that can be difficult to answer. Just as different people are comfortable in varying temperatures, most people hold their own preferences for what feels nice in terms of humidity. The biggest catch? It’s much more difficult to wrangle the humidity level.
At the end of the day, most HVAC professionals recommend your home’s humidity level to be between 30%-50% to remain comfortable and protect the structure. At the Jersey Shore, with a proper HVAC system, this should not be an issue to maintain.
Things You May Not Realize Are Tied to Humidity
My thermostat says it is meeting temperature, but it still feels very hot in my home in the Summer.
One word: Humidity. If this is a common issue you experience, the best thing you can do is install an AC system with inverter technology. Also referred to as modulating, these systems are able to ramp up or down, depending on the demand in your home. They run for longer at a lower capacity, meaning they draw out more moisture from your home.
My basement always feels so wet.
When it comes to insulation, it really doesn’t get much better than basements. However, the dense layers of soil that hold moisture themselves combined with the limited ventilation will often cause this issue. Air conditioning systems aren’t usually utilized in these spaces, as they are naturally cooler, but that means that there is no means of dehumidification. Adding a standalone dehumidifier to the area will be able to draw out moisture in the air.
Every time I flick a light switch, I get shocked!
Aside from having an electrical issue in your home, static electricity is also tied to humidity. When humidity levels drop too low, you might also find yourself with nosebleeds and dry skin. Not all homes are able to be fitted with humidifiers, but they can add some of the moisture back into the air as it’s heated.
My house feels hot and sticky at certain points throughout the day.
Is it after you take a shower? When you’re running your dryer? Boiling pasta? Proper ventilation, including bathroom ceiling fans and a properly installed and maintained dryer vent are required to prevent excess amounts of moisture from being added to the air. If you’ve been around this summer, we’re sure you know that no one needs any unnecessary humidity added to your home. There’s plenty to go around.
