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What is humidity?
Humidity is a unit that indicates how much moisture is in the air. Usually this unit is expressed as relative humidity; this is the amount of water vapor currently in the air relative to the maximum amount of water vapor the air can contain. This maximum amount depends largely on the temperature; the higher the temperature, the more water vapor the air can contain. As a result, most people suffer from dry air primarily during the colder periods in the fall, winter, and spring.
WOODEN FLOORS AND FURNITURE
ROOM PLANTS
DRY SKIN, LIPS AND EYES
PETS
How do you measure relative humidity?
Relative humidity is easy to measure using a hygrometer, such as Sense. If the percentage on the hygrometer is between 40 and 60 percent, the humidity in the room is optimal. If the percentage is below 40 percent, the humidity is low, in this case the air is too dry. On the other hand, when the percentage is higher than 60 percent there is high humidity, in this case the air is too humid. Both scenarios are accompanied by various symptoms from which you can recognize them. In practice, however, these symptoms are not always linked to the cause - read: high or low humidity.
What do you notice about low humidity?
Although low humidity is difficult to observe without a hygrometer, there are several symptoms that you can easily recognize yourself. For example, health complaints such as dry skin, eyes or lips, irritated airways, headaches, decreased concentration, fatigue or a stuffy nose indicate that the indoor air is (too) dry. Other important indicators are static electricity and cracks in a wooden floor or furniture.
Dry skin
With low humidity, the amount of water in the skin decreases, causing the skin to (partially) lose its elasticity. This can cause the skin to irritate, itch or even break down more quickly, as is the case with cracked lips. You can also suffer from dry eyes.
Airways
Dry air (too) causes the airways to become irritated, which can exacerbate asthma, COPD and allergic reactions.
Headache
When the air is (too) dry, it is more difficult for pulmonary alveoli to absorb enough oxygen from the inhaled air. As a result, there may be less oxygen in the blood, which can cause headaches, difficulty concentrating and fatigue.
Concentration
When the air is (too) dry, it is more difficult for pulmonary alveoli to absorb enough oxygen from the inhaled air. As a result, there may be less oxygen in the blood, which can cause headaches, difficulty concentrating and fatigue.
Fatigue
When the air is (too) dry, it is more difficult for pulmonary alveoli to absorb enough oxygen from the inhaled air. As a result, there may be less oxygen in the blood, which can cause headaches, difficulty concentrating and fatigue.
Colds
Low humidity can not only cause cold symptoms, but also makes you more susceptible to colds and/or flu. This is because virus particles linger in the air longer when humidity is low.
Static electricity
Water allows electrons to conduct well, so there is less static when there is a lot of moisture in the air. In the winter, the humidity is often low, so things become static more quickly.
What to do about dry air in the home?
If you suffer from low humidity in your home, you can effectively increase it by using a humidifier. A humidifier is a device that diffuses water vapor through the room, thereby increasing the amount of water vapor in the room and the humidity. How exactly this process works depends on the type of humidifier. Our range consists of ultrasonic humidifiers, cold water evaporators and humidifiers with a cleaning function. Find out which type of humidifier suits you best via the button below.
Saving on your energy bill?
Sensation temperature is largely determined by air humidity, as water is an excellent transmitter of heat. When humidity is low (read: air containing little water vapor), the human body loses its heat more quickly, so that the wind chill can feel colder.
Conversely, this principle works exactly the same. For example, an absolute temperature of 27°C at 90% humidity feels like 30°C, whereas at 40% humidity it only feels like 27°C. You can compare this with a sauna session - although the ritual makes you think that the temperature in the room is much higher, only the humidity has risen. A higher level of humidity therefore allows you to save on energy costs, while the temperature in the room remains the same (and not unimportant in the autumn: pleasant).
What do you notice about high humidity?
Unlike the symptoms of low humidity, the symptoms of high humidity are recognized a lot more often. For example, the majority of people are aware that fogged up windows, a musty smell, mold growth, moisture spots and pests (such as dust mites, woodlice and silverfish) are due to too much humidity. However, high humidity also causes various health problems. These include allergic reactions, shortness of breath, (chronic) colds, skin irritations (such as eczema) and aggravated asthma symptoms.
Musty smell
When humidity levels are too high, bacteria and mold can easily spread, which in most cases is accompanied by a musty smell.
Mold
Mold spreads most rapidly when humidity levels are high. As a result, in damp rooms you can suffer not only from mold on the wall, floor or ceiling, but also from the musty smell and unhealthy indoor climate caused by mold.
Pest
A humid room is the ideal habitat for pests like dust mites, woodlice and silverfish. Therefore, to ensure that pests stay away, it is best to lower the humidity, this way it becomes difficult for pests to survive.
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath with high humidity can have several causes. For example, bacteria and fungi can be the cause because they pollute the air you breathe. Another cause is that sweat evaporates more easily when humidity is high, so that heat can quickly feel oppressive and stuffy.
Colds
High humidity is the ideal habitat for germs, allowing them to multiply en masse. In many cases, this results in wheezing, frequent coughing and mucus in the nasal and pharyngeal passages.
Skin Irritations
Prolonged, high humidity can affect the skin's protective function, making you more likely to suffer from skin irritations like eczema.
Asthma Symptoms
Aggravated asthma symptoms with high humidity can have several causes. For example, bacteria and fungi can be the cause, because they pollute the air you breathe and this stimulates the lungs even more. Another cause is that sweat evaporates more easily when humidity is high, so heat can quickly feel oppressive and stuffy.
What to do about moist air in the home?
If you are suffering from high humidity in your home you can effectively reduce it by using a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier has a compressor that sucks in air and extracts the excess moisture from it, which is then collected in a water tank; resulting in lower humidity. Our dehumidifier Bora dehumidifier also has an active carbon filter which removes unpleasant odors from the air.
