September 9, 2025
Humidity levels play an important role in both the safety and comfort of your home. Improper levels of humidity can lead to a host of health problems and a lower quality of living in general. Since humidity is constantly changing due to a variety of seasonal and external factors, it requires some effort to maintain optimal moisture within your abode. Luckily, there are a variety of tips, tricks, and technologies you can use to keep your home within the perfect range. To learn more about humidity levels and how to keep them in check, take a look at some of the things we have learned throughout our years of professional HVAC service in the St. Louis, MO area.
Understanding How Climate Affects Humidity
The first step is to determine how your climate will affect the humidity fluctuations within your house. For instance, urban environments feature the heat island effect that raises humidity in conjunction with the heightened human activity common in those regions. If you live in or near a desert, the low humidity can lead to dry air within your home. Coastal regions experience heightened outdoor humidity that slowly infiltrates buildings through ventilation and other leaks. Finally, mountain regions experience wild humidity swings depending on the seasonal conditions at the time.
Relative Humidity Based on Temperature
At specific temperatures, the air can only hold so much water vapor. Cold air holds less water than hot air, which explains why humidity changes along with the temperature. Relative humidity assumes you start at a comfortable temperature, such as 75 degrees Fahrenheit. However, there are suggested ranges for hot and cold conditions as well.
At 75 degrees, the optimal humidity range is between 30% and 50%. When temperatures climb above 80 degrees, the goal is to sustain a balance between 35% and 55% humidity. When the temperature drops below 60 degrees, the recommended humidity values fall between 25% and 40%.
The Issues With Excess Humidity
When humidity exceeds 50% for extended periods, tons of problems such as mold formation and peeling paint are bound to occur. As soon as you detect high humidity indoors, take action to correct the issue as soon as possible.
Problems with high humidity include:
- More dust mites
- Bacterial and mold growth
- An unpleasant, musty odor
- Condensation on windowpanes
- Peeling paint or wallpapers
The Issues With Low Humidity
Likewise, if your indoor air drops below 30% humidity for too long, expect another set of problems to occur. It is equally important to swiftly take care of overly dry conditions.
Problems with low humidity include:
- Chapped lips and dry throat
- Itchiness and dry skin zones
- Mild shocks from static electricity
- Wooden floor and furniture damage
How to Lower Humidity Levels
There are numerous ways to lower the moisture levels in your home. The goal is to keep implementing each solution until you can easily stay within the optimal range without much direct input on your end. For starters, try opening windows during the morning hours when outdoor air tends to be dry and cooler. Close the windows again after some fresh air has circulated through the rooms you target with this technique. Another simple fix is to run your AC in dry mode during cooling sessions. Combine this with ceiling or auxiliary fans for maximum efficiency. Place fans near entrances and windows to increase overall airflow.
Apply desiccant in small spaces such as closets or drawers to keep mold at bay in those spots. For problematic spaces such as bathrooms or your laundry area, use a portable dehumidifier in the center of the room. A whole-home dehumidifier is also available as a modern HVAC system upgrade. As the name suggests, these solutions maintain consistent moisture levels throughout your entire residence. When using dehumidifiers of any type, be sure to regularly clear out the collection tanks and change the filter. In extremely humid areas, you likely need to empty the collection tank daily. For the filter, replacing it once a month is a suitable timeframe.
How to Raise Humidity Levels
It is possible to raise the humidity within a dry home via a number of creative methods. The simplest trick is to just take more showers and stay in each one for longer. If you have a bathroom fan, refrain from using it to avoid pushing a lot of that newly generated moisture away. You can also boil water on the stove, which will release a steady supply of steam into the air. A less energy-intensive method is to place water in bowls on elevated surfaces and let the fluid evaporate naturally over time. After using your dishwasher, open up the door and allow everything to dry naturally. When preparing fabric to wear, steam your articles rather than using a traditional iron.
You can also use house plants to add to your humidity levels. These companions release moisture into the air via a process called transpiration. Portable humidifiers can be used in particularly dry rooms, in the same vein as dehumidifier devices. Likewise, whole-home humidifiers exist for a more automatic solution to this issue. If you prefer quiet equipment, ask about ultrasonic humidifiers that reduce noise during operation.
Take Advantage of Smart Technology
Smart home tech is more than just automated light systems and security cameras. Modern HVAC systems can monitor the situation in real-time and adjust settings on the fly. This makes it vastly easier to keep indoor spaces within the optimal 30% and 50% humidity range all year long.
Automatic Climate Controllers
When it comes time to upgrade your HVAC system, ask us about automatic climate control. We can install solutions with built-in humidistats that offer substantial compatibility with existing heating and cooling mechanisms. These tools are highly programmable via a simple smartphone application that even allows you to adjust energy consumption from anywhere with an internet connection.
Humidity Sensors
For the most troublesome rooms in your home, or areas where you keep precious valuables, install localized humidity sensors to closely monitor the moisture range. As soon as the humidity reaches an unacceptable threshold, you get an alert via the accompanying phone app. This allows you to take restorative action immediately and prevent issues from forming.
At Scott-Lee Heating Company, we know what it takes to keep your home comfortable in any season. As a family-owned business with over 46 years of experience in the St. Louis area, you can rely on us for all of your HVAC needs. In addition to our robust humidity control and sensing options, we offer a collection of heating and cooling services. We have technicians on standby every day of the year so you can rest assured knowing your problem will be addressed within 24 hours. All you have to do is contact us to get the ball rolling on your next HVAC project.
For the best humidity control services in St. Louis and the surrounding areas, give Scott-Lee Heating Company a call today!