The official start of summer is right around the corner, which means temperatures will be rising across the country. Additionally, though, some people may experience fluctuating indoor humidity during this time of year. Many people assume that low humidity is only a problem during the winter, but this isn’t the case. The truth is that summer can yield equally as harsh humidity if not properly monitored and controlled.
Humidity is a measurement of the amount of moisture vapor in the air. If you keep up with our blog, you’re probably well aware of the problems it can cause. When the air contains little-to-no moisture vapor, it can dry out the skin, trigger electrostatic discharge (ESD), cause illness, and more. But when the humidity is too high, it can damage floors and furniture. This is why it’s important that business owners keep a close eye on their humidity levels, especially during the summer.
The warm summer air often holds more moisture vapor, meaning it’s more humid. The easiest way to control humidity during the summer is to use an air conditioner. Most air conditioners are designed to serve two basic purposes: to extract heat from the air, and to pull moisture vapor from it. This is why window AC units leak water on the outside – all of that water is humidity that was previously inside the home.
If you’re a business owner, you should keep your AC unit running this summer. I know some people choose to avoid them due to the high cost of electricity, but not running your AC unit can prove to be even more costly due to the damage it causes on floors and other hardwood items. You don’t have to necessarily run your AC unit 24 hours a day, days a week, but you should keep it running the majority of the day to prevent buildups of humidity.
Another tip that’s helpful to control indoor humidity during the summer is to use a humidifier. I know what you’re probably thinking: aren’t these devices designed to release moisture vapor? While that’s their primary purpose, humidifiers only release moisture when it drops below a certain level. If your workplace is becoming too dry, for instance, it will release moisture vapor to increase the humidity to a suitable level.