Do you ever feel like your skin’s so dry it could crack, or maybe your throat or nasal passages feel scratchy or dry when you wake up? That’s low humidity doing its work.
Unstable humidity can affect your comfort, health, furniture, and home.
In this article, we will talk about everything you need to know about humidity in Canadian winters. We’ll cover what humidity is, why it drops so much in cold weather and the best humidity level for the home in winter.
Key Takeaways about the Ideal Humidity Level for Your Home in Winter
- Health Canada recommends 30–35% as a good humidity level for the home in winter to prevent health issues, mould growth, and furniture damage.
- Low humidity can cause dry skin, scratchy throats, and static electricity, while high humidity over 60% can lead to mould and warped wood.
- Hygrometers, including those built into smart thermostats, are essential for measuring and maintaining indoor humidity.
What is Humidity, and Why Does It Matter?
Humidity is the amount of water vapour in the air. When we’re talking about humidity in your home, though, we usually focus on Relative Humidity (RH). It refers to how much water is in the air compared to how much it can hold at a specific temperature.
Ever walked into a room and felt the air was damp and sticky? That’s high humidity. On the flip side, when the air feels dry, it’s because there’s not much water vapour hanging around.
Humidity is measured in percentages. So, when we say the air humidity is 25%, that means the air is holding 25% of the water vapour it could hold before it’s completely saturated. It’s like filling a cup—25% means it’s only a quarter full.
It’s important to know that warmer air can hold more moisture than cold air, hence why we see dew in the evenings for example, as the air cools and excess moisture condenses onto surfaces.
Why Winter Reduces Indoor Humidity
In Canadian winters (especially December to February), the air gets cold and can’t hold as much moisture as warm air. Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are notorious for bone-dry winters.
So because air in the environment is dry, it tends to sap moisture out of indoor air as well. Then, when you crank up the heat to stay warm, things can dry out even more if additional moisture isn’t added.
Optimal Humidity Levels for Winters in Canada
Health Canada recommends keeping the relative humidity (RH) in your home between 30–35% during winter. In the summer, they suggest staying below 50%.
Here are four big reasons behind these recommendations:
- House Dust Mite Proliferation: Dust mites thrive in high humidity. Keeping the RH on the lower side during winter makes it harder for them to multiply.
- Mould Growth: Too much moisture in the air can lead to mould. Not only does it look gross, but it can also harm your health. Keeping RH below 35% in winter helps stop mould before it starts.
- Influenza Virus Survival: Low humidity can make viruses, like the flu, spread more easily. On the flip side, high humidity isn’t good either. That sweet spot around 30–35% helps reduce the risk.
- Formaldehyde Off-Gassing: Formaldehyde—a chemical found in furniture, flooring, and even paint—releases more into the air when humidity is high. Keeping things balanced can help minimize exposure.
Of course, many factors can influence the ideal humidity level for your home. The age of your house, the type of heating system, insulation quality, ventilation, and even the number of people living there can all make a difference. Materials in your flooring, furniture, and walls also react differently to moisture.
Challenges of Low Humidity in Canadian Winters
Low humidity can make your winters feel harsher than they need to be. It affects your mood, comfort, health, and even your home. Here are the key signs and consequences of low humidity:
Dry Skin and Cracked Lips
Low humidity draws moisture from the uppermost layers of your skin, leaving it dry and prone to cracks. The ideal home humidity level in winter for dry skin should be 40–60%. But that’s often not achievable during Canadian winters because of heating systems and cold outdoor air.
To combat this, use a good quality moisturizer daily, especially after showering, and keep lip balm handy for chapped lips.
Scratchy Throat and Dry Nasal Passages
Dry air can dehydrate the mucous membranes lining your nose and throat, leaving them irritated and more vulnerable to infections from colds and flu season. It also affects your sleep by increasing the likelihood of snoring.
Research from the journal Indoor Air found that indoor humidity levels between 40–60% lower the risk of respiratory infections. Another study in Environmental Health Perspectives linked humidity levels below 40% to an increased risk of asthma attacks.
To overcome this, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and consider using a saline nasal spray to keep nasal passages moist. Installing a humidifier can also restore moisture to the air.
Increased Static Electricity
Have you ever touched a doorknob in winter and gotten zapped? That’s static electricity and low home humidity levels in winter are often to blame. Dry air makes it easier for electric charges to build up on surfaces like carpets, clothing, and your body. You’ll notice it more in winter because heating systems dry out the air, leaving you in a zap-prone environment.
Damaged Furniture and Flooring
Low humidity can wreak havoc on your wooden furniture and flooring. Wood loses moisture when the air is too dry, causing it to shrink and crack. You might notice gaps forming in your hardwood floors or crowning where the edges of the planks rise.
Use a humidifier to maintain consistent levels, and consider placing bowls of water near radiators or vents to add moisture naturally.
Higher Heating Costs
Low humidity can make your home feel colder than it actually is. Dry air pulls moisture from your skin, making heat escape faster and leaving you feeling chilly. As a result, you might crank up the thermostat to stay warm, increasing your energy consumption and heating costs.
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How to Measure and Monitor Humidity
The best way to measure humidity in your home is with a hygrometer. Many smart thermostats have built-in hygrometers, making monitoring and adjusting your indoor levels easy. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, you can grab a separate hygrometer—basic digital models cost around $17 to $25 and are widely available online or at hardware stores.
When installing or placing a hygrometer, keep these tips in mind:
- Avoid placing it near vents, radiators, or windows, as temperature fluctuations can skew humidity readings.
- Place it in a central location where you spend the most time, like the living room or bedroom.
- If you have multiple levels in your home, consider using one hygrometer on each floor for accurate readings.
- Keep it out of direct sunlight to ensure the sensor remains accurate.
- Test the device periodically to confirm it’s working correctly, especially if you notice unusual readings.
Tips to Increase Indoor Humidity in Canadian Homes
If the humidity in your home drops below 30%, you can follow these simple steps to maintain it:
- Use a Furnace Humidifier: Many modern furnaces come with built-in humidifiers. These systems add moisture to the air as it circulates through your home, making them a convenient and effective option. If your furnace doesn’t have one, consider adding a standalone unit, which are inexpensive and easy to use.
- Add Indoor Plants: Houseplants like peace lilies and spider plants release moisture into the air through a process called transpiration. They’re a natural and decorative way to boost humidity while improving air quality.
- Air-Dry Your Laundry Indoors: Skip the dryer and hang your clothes to dry inside. Not only does it save energy, but the evaporating moisture also helps increase humidity in the room.
- Shower or Bathe with the Door Open: After a hot shower or bath, leave the door open to let the steam circulate into nearby rooms. It’s a simple way to add moisture to your home without extra effort.
- Cook Without Using the Exhaust Fan: Boiling water or simmering soups release moisture into the air. Skip the exhaust fan while cooking to let that extra humidity stay. Or simply boil a pot of water on the stove. Keep in mind, it’s still best to use an exhaust fan when frying foods.
How to Avoid Over-Humidification?
While low humidity can be uncomfortable, over-humidifying your home comes with its own set of problems. High humidity levels above 60% create the perfect environment for mould growth, as highlighted by a study in Building and Environment.
To prevent over-humidification, adjust your humidifier settings to stay within the recommended 30–35% range in winter. Ensure your home is well-ventilated, especially in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
When humidity levels are high and it’s very cold outside, you may notice moisture forming on windows, which can lead to mould growth and shorten window lifespan.
Keep Your Home Comfortable and Safe This Winter
Humidity control during Canadian winters can be tough. But you don’t have to figure it out on your own. HVAC experts can help you create a healthier, more comfortable home environment.
Let the professionals help you balance your indoor humidity for a cozy, worry-free winter. Get a personalized quote today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do older homes have different humidity needs than newer ones?
Older homes often have more drafts and less insulation, making it harder to maintain stable humidity levels. They may require additional humidification in the winter compared to newer, airtight homes.
Can carpets and curtains help with humidity?
While carpets and curtains don’t add moisture, they can help retain warmth and reduce the perception of dryness by keeping your home feeling more comfortable.
Is it okay to use multiple humidifiers in one home?
Yes, using multiple humidifiers can be a practical solution, especially in larger homes or multi-level spaces. Just make sure to monitor overall humidity levels to avoid over-humidification in smaller rooms.
Is 50% humidity too high in winter?
Yes, 50% humidity is generally too high for winter, especially in cold climates like Canada. When indoor humidity reaches 50% in winter, it creates an environment for mould, mildew, and bacteria to grow.
Can too much humidity damage my electronics?
Yes, excessive humidity can cause condensation to form inside electronic devices, leading to corrosion or malfunction.
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