Humidifiers & Humidifiers
Always consider how humidity plays into a home
Humidifiers and dehumidifiers are useful appliances that help maintain optimal humidity in your home.For most people, a relative humidity level between 40–50% in the summer and 30–50% in the winter is ideal. If the humidity drops below that level, the dry air can irritate your nose and throat, and dry out your skin, eyes and lips. Dry air may also shrink wood, damaging furniture, floors, and walls. Additionally, low humidity can make your home feel colder, especially in the winter. A humidifier counteracts these effects, adding moisture to the air to boost the humidity back to comfortable levels.
A dehumidifier extracts moisture from the air to reduce the humidity level. High humidity may spur mold and mildew growth, which can exacerbate allergies and rot your walls. High humidity can also make the air feel much warmer, especially during the summer. Substantial condensation inside your windows is a good indication humidity levels in your house are too high.
This buying guide explains the factors to consider when selecting a humidifier or dehumidifier so you can feel confident you’re selecting the right model for your needs.