Why Humidification is Important
Maintaining the appropriate relative humidity levels has a variety of benefits. Dry air can cause or aggravate several different health problems, mostly based in the respiratory system. It is instrumental in the preservation of a wide range of items. Plastics are not significantly affected, but essentially all plant products degrade in dry environments. Wood will crack and warp if they dry improperly, and produce (fruits and vegetables) stay fresh better when they are stored in a high humidity environment. Another variable that is affected by humidity is comfort level. As relative humidity rises, higher temperatures feel hotter, and lower temperatures feel colder. So 80°F at 80% RH feels hotter than 80°F at 30% RH, and 20°F at 80% RH feels colder than 20°F at 30% RH.
Uses for Humidification
A bit more detail into the use and benefit of maintaining the proper humidity humidification in an environment.
Health
Improper RH levels can lead to a variety of problems. Dry air can aggravate respiratory problems such as Bronchitus, as well as causing sore throats, and an increase in the likelyhood of nose bleeds. But looking at it from the other direction, too much RH leads to the growth of molds and bacteria.
If you can get just the humidification levels just right amount of humidity, it will reduce the coughing and pain of respiratory problems, remove dust and allergens from the air, but not create new ones from the increased growth of mold and bacteria.
Save Energy
Because of the way that humidity humidification can change the feel of air temperatures it is possible to use humidity control as a shortcut to comfortable temperatures. Now, these are not the actual numbers, rather they are only examples, but they should give you a good idea of how humidity and heating your home works. For our example I will say that you feel comfortable at 72°F in a low humidity environment, but if you raise the RH by 20% you could feel comfortable at 68°F instead. Since it takes far less energy to raise the RH by 20% than it does to raise the air temperature by 4°F you would be able to cut your heating bill without sacraficing comfort.
The reverse is also true. During the summer you can make your home feel cooler by lowering the RH instead of or in addition to the ambient air temperature.
damage to homes & property
Failure to maintain the proper RH level can be an expensive mistake for more than just the cost to your heating or AC bill. Rapid changes in both ambient temperature and relative humidity can cause woods to expand and contract. Over time the repeated changes in size will stress the glue and nails that form the joints in furniture and wood products which can lead to breaking, as well as causing paints and finishes to craze and peel. Rapid drying can cause wood to crack and warp, often this warping is seen in poorly controlled lumber yards, and the splitting can be seen in the ends of logs used in older log homes. These problems can manifest in more than just wood products though, as anything that contains moisture will be affected.
Business Applications
Controlling RH levels has benefits out in the work place as well. The right humidity humidification in a work place will reduce dust and allergens in the air, and can make the temperature more comfortable, resulting in happier, healthier workers. Items stored in warehouses can be damaged over time by the many changes in RH that take place every day. Many greenhouses benefit from having higher humidity for their plants to grow in. Wines are produced at a higher quality and with less waste when wine cellars stay at the right humidity and temperature. Plant produce stays fresh longer when it is stored and shipped in exceptionally high humidity.
These are only a few of the many benefits possible from controlling Relative humidity. DryFog has several humidification solutions available. Contact our representatives if you have any questions.