At Baker, Bauer & Fish Cooling & Heating, many of our clients ask us about the benefits of using humidifiers and dehumidifiers in their homes. There’s no cut and dry answer to humidification because it all depends on your comfort and the relative humidity in your home. 

Imagine the air is a bucket that can only hold a certain amount of water. If you fill the bucket up halfway, there’s still room for more water, but if you overfill the bucket, the water will start to pour over the edges and spill. Humidity in the air works essentially the same way. 

When the air has half the amount of water that it can hold, the relative humidity is at 50%; when it’s completely full, the relative humidity’s at 100%, and that means rain is right around the corner. Relative humidity isn’t stagnant; it’s affected by the air’s temperature. As the temperature rises, the air is able to hold more water, and as the temperature falls, it can hold less water. 

Now, let's assume there is a fixed amount of water in the air. In the winter, as the furnace heats the home, the air can hold more water. The relative humidity goes down, and a humidifier may be required. In the summer, as the air conditioner cools the home, the air can hold less water. So the relative humidity increases and a dehumidifier may be needed.

Different people are comfortable with different levels of relative humidity in their homes. Some people in Cincinnati feel perfectly fine when the relative humidity is around 25%, while others experience discomfort any time it drops below 30%. If you dislike dry environments, which typically occur during winter months, a humidifier is a great option. If you’re feeling suffocated by humidity during summer months, a dehumidifier is the answer. 

You can use humidifiers and dehumidifiers to achieve the perfect balance in the air. Feel free to call heating contractor Baker, Bauer & Fish Cooling & Heating any time you need help making your home more comfortable and livable—from heating repair to furnace replacement. Reach our Cincinnati-based Baker, Bauer & Fish Cooling & Heating team at (513) 542-2770, or visit us online now for more information!