Humidity refers to the presence of water vapor in the air. It has a great impact on how warm the air feels to living beings. The warm temperature feels even warmer as the humidity level increases. While the speed at which water evaporates decreases, high humidity slows down our body’s cooling mechanism making it difficult for us to maintain a comfortable indoor environment in summer.
There are several different ways to measure humidity. The term ‘relative humidity’ is commonly used by weather reports. It refers to the amount of moisture in the air relative to the air’s capacity to hold moisture. Wikipedia explains the term as “the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor to the equilibrium vapor pressure of water at a given temperature”. Dew point is the measure of absolute humidity. The hotter the air, the more water it can contain. Environmentalists often identify water vapor as a major greenhouse gas and a potential factor causing global warming.
Have you ever observed why the same temperature on your air conditioner feels different when the season changes? Most traditional air conditioners only allow its users to set temperature and there’s no way to control other crucial factors that affect how we feel. Thermal comfort depends on several components: time of the day, thermal radiation, indoor humidity, and most importantly, outdoor weather.
Importance of humidity and how you can control itDid you know that earth would be 31°C colder without water vapor? The amount of water vapor in the air plays a vital role in making life stable on planet earth. However, indoor humidity levels lower than 30% or higher than 60% create problems. Therefore, you need to maintain the comfort zone which is 30%-60%.
Air conditioners use plenty of power lowering the humidity level no matter the mode you use. You can use other devices such as dehumidifiers to maintain indoor comfort. Understanding your indoor humidity conditions and applying the right method will ensure your health and reduce power consumption.
When controlling humidity in your office or home, it’s important to consider that humidity generally falls and rises depending on current outdoor environment. Unless your walls contain non-permeable vapor barriers, moisture vapor pass through them with ease. Poorly insulated walls, leaking window frames, and other openings in your building can make it easy for moisture to dominate your living space.
If you’re not sure how you can maintain a comfortable indoor environment or you don’t know what methods are suitable for your building structure, consult a reliable HVAC expert. Nor-Can Heating & Air is a trusted HVAC company in Edmonton where we make sure you have a comfortable indoor environment throughout the year.
