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If humidity is too low in your house, this can lead to many different issues. Some of the most common problems created by low humidity in Edmonton homes include:

• Itchy, dry, cracked skin
• Sore, dry throat and nose
• Frequent nose bleeds
• Respiratory issues and difficulty breathing
• Lung and sinus problems
• Increased chance of colds
• Dust irritation
• Increased shocks from static electricity 

In addition to these physical effects, low humidity can damage hardwood flooring, wood furniture, paint, and wallpaper (causing it to crack/peel). Low humidity also makes it more challenging to maintain proper air temperature. Dry air is more difficult to heat. Therefore, your furnace will be forced to work harder to keep your home warm. As a result, you’ll have higher heating bills, and your furnace may experience more frequent repairs and a shorter lifespan

In Edmonton, winter home humidity should be between 35% and 45%. In general, indoor humidity levels below 30% are too dry, and anything above 50% is too damp.

If the indoor humidity level in your home is too high in the winter, you may see condensation accumulating on the inside of your windows – or even your walls. If your home has single-pane windows or insufficient insulation, this will make matters worse. 

As a result of high humidity, mould, mildew, and rotting can occur. Therefore, it is vital to maintain appropriate humidity levels in your home, as improper humidity can lead to an uncomfortable, unhealthy, and damaged home.

Wondering how to check the humidity level in your Edmonton home? Good news – it’s simple to do! You’ll just need one of two things:

1. Hygrometer or
2. Humidifier

If you want to check the humidity level in your home by hand, you’ll need a tool called a hygrometer. This tool can be purchased at your local hardware store for about $10 to $20.

To use a hygrometer to check the humidity in your home, simply place it in the room you want to check. It’s important to note that humidity levels won’t be consistent throughout your home – some rooms may have more or less humidity than others. Therefore, placing the hygrometer in a room you are concerned about or where your family spends most of their time is best. Also, ensure you don’t put your hygrometer near a heat source. For example, a radiator, heat register, chimney, etc.

Once the hygrometer is placed, wait up to two hours (it can take a couple of hours for the tool to get an accurate and stable reading).

If you have a humidifier in your home, it will have a built-in hygrometer. Therefore, you won’t need to buy a handheld tool. Instead, this internal hygrometer will automatically monitor and adjust the humidity level in your home, keeping your Edmonton home comfortable all year round.