Humidity Makes Us Cranky and Sick

“It’s not the heat. It’s the humidity.”

And if you understand how the body cools itself, this saying makes sense.

Simply put, humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. When the body is hot, it sweats and uses air to evaporate the moisture off your skin, which cools you down. But sticky, wet air prevents that action from being as effective.

That’s why we often hear people complain about the humidity. But did you know it actually causes health issues?

Health Effects

According to Health.com, a person experiencing high humidity can suffer from the following ailments:

• Dehydration
• Muscle cramps
• Fatigue
• Fainting
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke
• Heat rash

Since humidity makes it difficult for the body to stay cool, it exposes you and your family to heat-related illnesses that can range from the uncomfortable to the deadly serious.

But to protect your family from these illnesses, you need to control the humidity in your home. And because Brooklyn has so many older homes that may have settling cracks, no central HVAC system and outdated appliances, this can be difficult.

Controlling Moisture

Water, and especially water vapor, can seep into every home. Whether your home was built last year or in the late 1800s, it can be an issue because it’s so pervasive.

The ideal humidity level in a home is between 30% and 50% and can be measured with a hygrometer. This device can be bought at most home improvement stores and is as easy to use as a digital thermometer.

If your humidity is above 50%, here are some tips to limit the moisture that causes this humidity:

• Seal cracks and fix leaks. This can mean everything from caulking minor cracks to redoing your landscaping so water flows away from the home.
• Use exhaust fans. Running fans in the bathroom and kitchen when showering and cooking, respectively, can push moisture out of the home.
• Have your HVAC system tuned up. If you haven’t had your air conditioning system tuned up in more than a year, it may be time to schedule an appointment. In most homes, a properly functioning air conditioner will filter out a lot of additional humidity.
• Run dehumidifiers. Depending upon the size of your home and your relative humidity, you can opt for smaller, portable dehumidifiers, or you can opt for a whole-house dehumidifier. These can be stand-alone or attached to your HVAC system.
• Remove carpeting. Carpets can absorb moisture and become breeding grounds for biological pollutants. If your home has a moisture problem, choose wood, tile or laminate flooring and use area rugs that can be taken up and washed frequently.

Your Brooklyn cooling experts at Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning are here to help you squeeze the humidity out of your home. If we can help you with an air conditioning tune-up, a repair or on new installation, give us a call at (718) 748-1254 or contact us online.