When people talk about the humidity, it’s almost never good news. High humidity in your home can turn a beautiful summer day into a sweaty, sweltering ordeal. In contrast, low humidity can leave you with chapped lips, cracked skin, and blocked sinuses, especially in the wintertime.

Luckily, you don’t have to wait on the whims of the weather to feel comfortable. You can find the perfect balance with a handy humidifier or dehumidifier. Beyond the obvious benefits of comfort, there are other good reasons why you should control the humidity in your home.

Preserve Hardwood Floors

It’s no surprise hardwood floors have been trending for years. They’re tough, versatile, and go with just about any style of décor. But hardwood floors have a big weakness: humidity.

Wood is a porous material. In high humidity, it absorbs moisture from the air and expands slightly; when the humidity drops, the wood shrinks. This is normal, but if the humidity fluctuates drastically, the constant changes can take a toll. The wood will warp and separate over time, causing uneven spots and gaps between floorboards. Preventing major shifts in humidity will help keep your hardwood floors in top shape.

Protect Electronics

We know water and electronics don’t mix. Most of us will admit to losing a phone or a watch to the watery depths at some point. However, this is not the only way moisture can get into your devices

High humidity can leave electronics susceptible to condensation. It’s most likely to happen when the device goes from being in a very hot and humid place to a cold one, such as moving from a hot vehicle to a dry, air-conditioned home. Over time, condensation can cause internal components to corrode and short-circuit.

While this only occurs in extreme conditions, it’s a concern if you have expensive electronic equipment. Regulating humidity insures your precious devices from this potential problem.

Stay in Tune

Solid wood shrinks and expands with the fluctuating humidity, which is not good when it comes to finely-crafted musical instruments. Pianos, guitars, flutes, drums, and other wooden instruments can fall out of tune when the humidity changes.

Whether you’re a hardcore musician or a weekend guitarist, it pays to keep the humidity of your home in check.

Keep Wine Tasting Great

Yes, it’s true: even your favourite bottle of wine can fall victim to swings in humidity.

Remember what we said about its effects on wood? Wine corks can also shrink and dry out in a low-humidity environment. Connoisseurs know the beverage is bottled with just the right balance of wine and oxygen. If the cork shrinks, excess oxygen can find its way in and spoil the wine.

Prevent Mold

There’s nothing mold loves more than the dark, humid spaces. This is why it usually takes residence in bathrooms and attics. Without proper ventilation, these rooms can accumulate moisture and become the perfect environment for mold growth.

Along with its nasty smell and unpleasant appearance, mold can exacerbate or even cause health issues due to poor air quality. People living in moldy homes are more likely to experience eye and throat irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath.

Regulating humidity in your home will help prevent the kind of moisture problems that create the conditions for mold. Health Canada recommends keeping the humidity at 50% in the summer and 30% in the winter to prevent mold growth.

Improve Your Health

Consistent humidity isn’t just good for your home and its contents. It is good for you too! Not only does regulating humidity prevent harmful allergens like mold, it makes the air more comfortable for people with asthma and other breathing problems.

A comfortable humidity level also makes it easier to fall asleep! A good night’s sleep is an essential part of good health.

Image: tzido

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