You may not think about your home’s indoor humidity levels too often, but if anyone in your home has been dealing with respiratory health issues, then it may be time to give it some more thought. The EPA recommends keeping your indoor relative humidity between 30% and 50%—lower than 30% may cause respiratory issues due to the air feeling dry, while higher than 50% may encourage mold growth and dust mite reproduction.
So, what role should dehumidification play in your home? The answer is simple: if your home’s indoor humidity is too high, you should invest in a dehumidifier to bring the levels down. This helps to prevent mold and dust mites, improving air quality as a result. Let’s dive deeper into the reasons why it’s so important to address mold and dust mites to breathe easier:
- Mold – Excessive moisture allows mold to grow in your home, which causes musty odors, releases spores and mycotoxins into the air, and triggers asthma and allergic reactions.
Dehumidification helps to minimize moisture, although it is not a comprehensive solution. For long-term results and home maintenance, it’s also important to address underlying causes of moisture, such as leaks, poor drainage, or poor ventilation.
- Dust Mites – Dust mites thrive in warm and humid environments, but they have trouble surviving in humidity levels below 50%. When they are present, their microscopic waste can become airborne and cause asthma symptoms, allergies, and other respiratory problems. Dehumidification makes your home uninhabitable for them.
If you are interested in dehumidification to help improve your indoor air quality, contact us at All Dry Basement Solutions.