Ideal humidity in the home
When it comes to creating a comfortable and healthy living environment in the home, it is important to know what the ideal humidity level in the house is and how to control it. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about these topics and provide tips to make your living environment more pleasant.
What is humidity and why is it important?
Humidity is the measure of the amount of water vapour present in the air. It is important to know what the humidity level in your home is, because excessively high or low humidity can have negative effects on your health and the condition of your home.
Excessive humidity can greatly impair quality of life due to mould spores, allergens and respiratory problems. This, in turn, can lead to allergies and other health problems. On the other hand, too low humidity can lead to: dry eyes and/or skin, sore throats and headaches. In addition, (wooden) interior parts or musical instruments can dry out and shrink or crack.
Ideal humidity in the home: important for your health!
The Sterling diagram reveals the impact of relative humidity on health and well-being.
The diagram shows the increase in bacteria, viruses and ozone production (due to static electricity) due to too low humidity, which have a huge impact on health. Fungi, bacteria and viruses increase when indoor humidity is too high.
What is the ideal humidity in your home?
The indoor climate is determined by a combination of the temperature, humidity, air quality and air movement. For a healthy indoor climate, ideal humidity in the home is often key. Indoor humidity is also determined by seasonal factors. In winter, dry air often prevails because the heating is on for large parts of the day. This causes moisture to evaporate from the indoor air, creating dry air. Using air conditioning in the summer for cooling or in the winter for heating can also cause (excessively) dry air. In summer, the humidity in the house can become too high due to high temperatures. Due to high temperatures, water or moisture in the soil evaporates, increasing water vapour in the air.
The ideal indoor humidity recommended by medical specialists is in the range of 40 to 60% relative humidity.
The ideal humidity in the home:
The ideal humidity in the home: |
Temperature range: |
Ideal humidity: |
Living and working space: |
20 to 23°C |
40 to 60% |
Bedroom: |
17 to 20°C |
40 to 60% |
Children's room: |
20 to 23°C |
40 to 60% |
Kitchen: |
18 to 20°C |
50 to 70% |
Bathroom – and shower room: |
20 to 23°C |
50 to 70% |
Hallway and storage areas: |
15 to 18°C |
40 to 60% |
Basement: |
10 to 15°C |
50 to 70% |
Measuring humidity in the home
To measure the humidity in your home, you can use a hygrometer. In many cases, a hygrometer can measure both temperature and humidity.
Place the hygrometer in the room where you want to measure humidity and wait a moment for the hygrometer to adjust to the environment. Then read the humidity on the hygrometer's display. It is advisable to measure the humidity in the house in several places using a hygrometer so that you get a good idea of the overall humidity.
Tips to achieve and maintain ideal humidity in the home
When there is no ideal humidity in the house, there are several ways to improve it. Here are some tips to achieve and maintain the ideal humidity in your home.
Ventilation
Ventilation is essential to maintain humidity levels in the home. Ensure regular ventilation by opening windows and doors.
Dehumidifier for excessive humidity in the house
When the humidity in your home is too high, you can use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air. There are different types of dehumidifiers available such as adsorption dehumidifiers and electric dehumidifiers.
Humidifier for low humidity in the house
If the humidity in the house is too low, a humidifier can add more moisture to the air and thus increase the humidity in the house. There are different types of humidifiers available such as ultrasonic humidifiers and air scrubbers.
Plants in the home
Keeping houseplants can help naturally regulate humidity in the home.
Frequently asked questions about the ideal humidity in the home
What are the consequences of excessive humidity in the home?
Excessive humidity in the home creates an unhealthy indoor environment and can lead to problems such as moisture build-up damage, bad odours and mould. In addition, mould spores, allergens and respiratory problems can greatly impair quality of life.
What are the consequences of low humidity in the home?
Insufficient humidity in the home can cause complaints such as: respiratory complaints, allergies, irritation of nasal and throat mucous membranes, fatigue and headaches and difficulty concentrating. In addition, (wooden) interior parts or musical instruments can dry out and shrink or crack.
How can I reduce humidity in my home?
To reduce humidity in your home, you can use a dehumidifier. This extracts excess moisture from the air. In addition, ventilation is important to remove moisture.
How can I increase humidity in my home?
Increasing humidity in the home can be done with the use of a humidifier or air scrubber. This adds moisture to the indoor air, increasing humidity in the house. In addition, houseplants can help naturally regulate humidity in the home.
Are there differences in ideal humidity between different indoor spaces?
Although the ideal humidity for most rooms in the house is between 40-60%, this can vary for some rooms. See the following overview overview for this.
What is the difference between relative and absolute humidity?
Relative humidity is a percentage that indicates how much water vapour is in the air compared to the maximum amount of water vapour the air can contain. Absolute humidity is the actual amount of water vapour in the air expressed in grams per cubic metre. In practice, relative humidity is usually used to determine the moisture content in the house.