Humidity can impact your comfort and health significantly. Yet, surprisingly, many of us don’t know what indoor humidity levels we should maintain or how to achieve them – so we asked our scientists for their input. This article summarises their advice.

Understanding relative humidity

We should explain what this term means because healthy humidity levels are calibrated on a relative humidity scale. Technically speaking, relative humidity measures the amount of atmospheric water vapour present at a specific temperature, expressed as a percentage.

Let’s unpack this.

Hot air can hold more water vapour than cold air. So, relative humidity of (say) 25% means the atmosphere can suspend a lot more moisture at the current temperature before it becomes saturated – in fact, another 75%.

100% relative humidity means the air is completely saturated. Approaching saturation, inside your home begins to fog, condensation appears on surfaces, and nasty things that can harm you and your property are loving life.

Problems when humidity is outside the healthy range

When humidity is too high - you can experience discomfort, have trouble sleeping, suffer asthma, have an allergic reaction, experience heat stroke. In addition, high levels of indoor moisture encourage mould growth and provide conditions for critters like dust mites and termites to thrive.

Mould - Homes in tropical areas or dwellings with rising damp are particularly at risk. Be careful if you have health issues and regularly check for signs of mould in moist, poorly ventilated areas like kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, built-in robes or basements.

Dust Mites: Dust mites are responsible for many allergic reactions. They enjoy moderate temperatures, high humidity and love soft furnishings!

Termites:  These insects go for warm, dark, moist areas where they can munch and breed. Favourite places are any damp areas with plenty of wood. 

When humidity is too low – the air becomes dry, making humans more vulnerable to colds and other infections. Further, skin can become dry and itchy – which is not great for sufferers of conditions like eczema. 

Your home is the place you spend most of your time, so controlling indoor humidity levels can make a big difference to your well-being. To take control of your indoor environment, you need to know two things:

1. What is the healthy range of relative humidity; and
2. The smartest, easiest and most cost-effective ways to monitor and manage indoor humidity concentrations. 

Five of the smartest ways to maintain healthy humidity levels in your home

1. Consider investing in a Humidifier or Dehumidifier – these devices add to or remove moisture from the air.

2. Air Conditioning Systems don’t just cool the air inside a home - they reduce air moisture and lower humidity.

3. Open a window – a cheap and effective way of reducing humidity. Open a window, hear the birds sing and improve airflow around your home. Don’t be afraid of fresh air!

4. Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate - instal and use energy-efficient extraction fans when creating lots of indoor moisture from activities such as cooking, having a shower, or running a dryer. They’re cheap to instal and operate, help prevent property damage and support good health.

5. Get a good Humidity Meter – most of us live busy lives; we may not notice when our environment is getting unhealthy - and why try to guess humidity levels? A modest investment in a quality humidity meter, particularly one that provides wifi or Bluetooth alerts, will warn you whenever corrective action is warranted.

Humidity meters for managing indoor humidity levels

(Also known as hygrometers) humidity meters are affordable and effective.  Our scientists have gathered models they recommend as ideal for home use.

Thermometer & Hygrometer with Jumbo Display Product code: IC7312 The IC7312 is a device that’s straightforward to use, budget-friendly, and pleasing to the eye.    Measures temperature and humidity simultaneously. Current results can be viewed on the extra-large LCD from anywhere in the room. The Jumbo Display Thermometer-Hygrometer tracks the highest and lowest temperature and humidity readings. For simple and affordable home humidity monitoring - check out the IC7312 product page here.

Hygrometer, Temperature, Dew Point Meter With Battery Product code: 0560-6081 The Testo 608-H1 hygrometer continuously measures humidity, temperature and dewpoint.  Its large LCD is easily readable at a distance. Suspension and standing fixtures provide options to position your meter just where you want it - on a table or wall. This meter displays maximum and minimum values for humidity, temperature and dewpoint and battery life. With extensive testing and use, the Testo 608-H1 sensor has proven its stability – you can expect it to measure correctly even after many years of use. Similar Models: The Testo 608-H2 (0560-6082) has all the functions of the 608-H1 with alarms that reliably report humidity and temperature limit value violations.  Trust Testo’s reputation for quality and proven performance. Click here to go to the product page.

Humidity & Temperature Monitor Product code: IC800016 The IC800016 monitors temperature and humidity, displaying measurements on a clear and easy-to-read dual display.  Recall and display minimum/maximum temperature and humidity readings over any period. Mount the smart-looking sensor on a wall or let it free-stand on a desk with the included kickstand. Similar models: 800015 - Humidity/Temperature Monitor with External Temperature Sensor 800027 - Humidity/Temperature Monitor with External Temperature/Humidity Sensor  Easy to use with versatile mounting options. Our scientists recommend you look no further than the ever-popular IC800016.

The Final Word

Taking control of humidity levels in the home is simple, doesn’t cost much, and will protect both humans and property. Using a humidity meter removes the guesswork, alerts you to potential dangers and makes the job of monitoring humidity a whole lot easier.

If you’d like advice about a humidity problem in your home or need a hand finding the best humidity meter solution for your home, contact an Instrument Choice Scientist: Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].