How Does Our High Humidity Affect Indoor Air Quality in Naples, FL?
July 28, 2023
Naples residents know a thing or two about humidity outside, but what about indoor air humidity? Elevated moisture levels can cause respiratory problems or exacerbate symptoms in individuals with underlying health conditions.
Breathe easier; we have everything you need to know about indoor air quality and humidity all in one place!
How Does Humidity Affect Air Quality and Your Health?
It really is the humidity that gets you. High humidity, or indoor relative humidity levels over 60%, can cause the eventual growth of bacteria and mold. Airborne viruses thrive in humid environments, too.
So, what can high humidity do to your health? Airborne irritants can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. Over time, the bacteria, mold, and viruses fostered by high humidity can even cause respiratory infections.
High humidity also makes us less able to cool off from sweat evaporation, making it harder for us to self-regulate our body temperature.
Prolonged exposure to excessive moisture and heat can pose other health problems*, including:
- Low energy
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Heat exhaustion
- Fainting
- Muscle cramps
- Dehydration
- Increased risk of heat stroke
Do Dust Mites Like Humidity? The Perfect Environment for Pests
You might not like hot and sticky weather, but bugs sure do. Dust mites like humidity and several other creepy-crawlies thrive in humid conditions**, such as:
- Cockroaches
- Silverfish
- Centipedes
- Earwigs
Many of these pests can also trigger allergy or asthma attacks, as well as simply being unwelcome indoors.
As you might have gathered by now, too much indoor humidity can be a problem.
What Causes Elevated Indoor Humidity?
Outdoor humidity levels impact indoor humidity, especially if your home isn’t adequately sealed with well-fitted doors or windows. Homeowners can use weather stripping kits to mitigate how the outdoor environment affects their home’s indoor air humidity.
Other sources of moisture include showers, washing machines, dishwashers, and water vapor from cooking. Always use your stovetop fan and bathroom fan to remove excess moisture from the air as quickly as possible.
How to Monitor and Control Moisture Levels
The EPA recommends that indoor humidity is kept in the 30-50% range – but should always be under 60% to avoid mold and health-related problems. How can you monitor your indoor humidity so you know when you have a problem? Pick up an indoor humidity gauge (a hygrometer) from your local hardware store. Pick up two if you have a second story: One for each level of your home.
Air conditioners remove some moisture from the air, which lowers humidity levels and helps keep you cool and comfortable. The average AC unit can remove between 5 and 20 gallons of water vapor inside your home daily!
To control indoor humidity levels many Naples-area homeowners rely on a whole-home dehumidifier. With the muggy air that fills Naples, Lely, Bonita Springs, Vineyards, and other nearby cities, a whole-home dehumidifier is well worth the investment. It gives you much greater control of the humidity level in your home, so you can choose the most comfortable indoor humidity setting for you.
Stay Healthier and Comfortable with One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Naples
The effects of high humidity on your health can be real, but they’re not out of your control. Every Naples-area homeowner can protect their respiratory health by maintaining safer humidity levels – and we can help! Book online or call (239) 237-3360 today to take control of your home’s air quality.
* https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/humidity-can-make-you-sick/
** https://www.aprilaire.com/blog/pests-thrive-high-summer-humidity-avoid/