- Proper indoor humidity (30%–50%) prevents mold, protects home materials, and supports respiratory health.
- Adjust humidity to seasonal needs (30%–40% in winter, up to 50% in summer) and by room (bathrooms can be 40%–60%).
- Use tools such as hygrometers, exhaust fans, dehumidifiers, or humidifiers to maintain balance and avoid costly issues later.
When it comes to home comfort, temperature tends to steal the spotlight in many homeowners’ minds. But maintaining a consistent, comfortable temperature isn’t the only factor affecting comfort, health, and home maintenance — your home’s indoor humidity level is just as important.
Whole-house humidity should fall between 30% and 50%, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This does vary by room, as you might see slight spikes in humidity when showering or cooking. However, for the most part, your home should stay below 65% relative humidity (RH) to prevent microbial growth, according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
If your indoor air is too humid, you could end up with mold, dust mite infestations, and swelling or warping of wood and furniture. If your air is too dry, you can experience static electricity, dry skin, cracked lips, nose and throat irritation, and even damage to wood and flooring.
Our indoor humidity charts below outline the variations in suggested indoor humidity ranges by season and by room. We’ve also included tips and tricks from an HVAC expert to help you achieve the right balance in your home.
HVAC Installation
In general, you’ll pay between $5,540 and $10,980 for an HVAC unit, installation costs, and removal of your old unit.
Furnace Replacement
You can expect to pay between $4,000 and $7,000, including installation, old furnace removal, and labor.
Heat Pump Installation
You’ll likely pay between $3,000 and $35,000, but most homeowners spend between $5,800 and $7,500.
Ideal Indoor Humidity Levels
The EPA recommends a standard indoor relative humidity level of 30%–50%.
Tyler Lantrip, HVAC manager at The Meridian Company in East Lansing, Michigan, provided more granular recommendations for indoor humidity levels by season:
| Season | Recommended Indoor Humidity Range |
|---|---|
| Spring | 35%–45% |
| Summer | 40%–50% |
| Winter | 30%–40% |
| Fall | 35%–45% |
When the outdoor air is colder in fall and winter, lowering your humidity helps prevent condensation and mold growth on windows. Allowing humidity to rise slightly through the spring and summer makes your home more comfortable and prevents static electricity.
Today’s Homeowner Tip
Too much humidity in winter can lead to condensation and mold around windows — aim for the low end of the range when it’s freezing outside.
Lantrip also provided the following indoor humidity ranges for various rooms of the house:
| Room | Recommended Indoor Humidity Range |
|---|---|
| Living room | 30%–50% |
| Bedroom | 30%–50% |
| Basement | 30%–50% (avoid exceeding 50% to reduce mold risk) |
| Bathroom | 40%–60% (brief spikes are fine, but should return to 50% or lower) |
Keep in mind that bathrooms naturally experience humidity spikes during showers, but it’s important to lower the humidity afterward. Use exhaust fans or open windows (if the humidity outside is lower than inside) to help maintain balance.
Today’s Homeowner Tip
Regularly clean exhaust fans to prevent fire hazards and ensure they are in good working order. Performing a tissue test is a good way to tell. Hold a square of toilet tissue near the grille of the exhaust fan while it’s running. If it draws the tissue in toward the grille and it stays in place, it’s working properly.
How To Measure Indoor Humidity
Accurately measuring your home humidity level is the first step in determining what you need to do to find a balance in your indoor air quality.
Most smart thermostats and HVAC systems now have built-in hygrometers. If yours does not, you can get a $10–$20 hygrometer, which is widely available online.
I use this hygrometer because it’s inexpensive, accurate, and easy to read. If your home is larger, you may also want to purchase a multipack and place them throughout your home. It’s important to situate hygrometers away from vents and windows for the most accurate readings.
What To Do If Your Humidity Is Too High
Lantrip said if your humidity is too high, you should consider taking certain actions. He recommends:
- Running your air conditioner, as it removes moisture from the air
- Using exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen as needed
- Fixing plumbing or foundation leaks, as they could add additional moisture to the air
- Storing firewood outside because it releases moisture into the air as it dries out
- Using moisture-absorbing products such as silica gels or DampRid
- Opening windows if the outdoor air is less humid
- Shortening your showers and running the bathroom fan for 20–30 minutes afterward to remove all excess moisture
- Keeping lids on pots when cooking to reduce steam in the air
- Investing in a dehumidifier if none of the above solves your issue
What To Do If Your Humidity Is Too Low
Lantrip shared a few HVAC industry tricks for when your home’s humidity is too low. To raise a home’s humidity:
- Add houseplants, as they release moisture naturally.
- Place water bowls near heat sources like radiators if your home uses that source.
- Air-dry your laundry indoors to add moisture back into the air.
- Boil water on the stovetop to help release moisture into the air.
- Invest in a humidifier (either whole-house or portable) if none of the tips above solve the problem.
Why Proper Humidity Matters
Proper humidity can help protect your health and home. Consider the following when evaluating your home’s humidity level:
- Health: Proper humidity levels help prevent respiratory issues, dry skin, and allergy flare-ups.
- Comfort: Balanced humidity helps avoid static electricity and maintain consistent temperatures.
- Home protection: Ideal humidity prevents wood floor and furniture damage, and inhibits mold and mildew growth.
- Energy efficiency: Proper humidity affects how warm or cool you feel at a given temperature, meaning your home might feel warmer at a lower temperature setting.
“For most homes, aiming for 35% to 50% is the sweet spot,” Lantrip said. “It’s comfortable for people, inhospitable to allergens, and safe for your home’s structure and finishes.”
Prolonged exposure to high humidity can worsen respiratory conditions, promote mold-related illnesses, and increase airborne bacteria, Lantrip added. This is especially concerning for infants, the elderly, and those with allergies or asthma.
Next Steps
Maintaining an optimal humidity level protects your home and health. It’s a key part of home maintenance — though it’s easy to do, it should not be overlooked. Balancing your home’s indoor relative humidity level increases your home’s comfort and offers peace of mind.
You can take actions as simple as buying a hygrometer or as complex as upgrading your HVAC system. Quality systems often feature humidity control and may be the solution if you’re constantly fighting an imbalance.
If you have tried all the DIY fixes and nothing has worked for you, it’s best to consult a top HVAC professional to get your home evaluated.
“Proper indoor humidity is one of those invisible factors that quietly affects everything, from your health, to how much you pay to heat or cool your home. Small adjustments can make a big impact,” Lantrip said.
FAQs About Indoor Humidity Levels
How do I know if my indoor humidity is too high or too low?
Watch for signs such as condensation on windows, musty smells, or visible mold, which usually point to high humidity. If your skin feels dry, your nose and throat are irritated, or you’re getting more static shocks, the humidity may be too low.
A digital hygrometer is a cheap and reliable way to monitor indoor humidity so you can adjust it before these problems get worse.
Is an indoor humidity level of 60% too high?
Spikes to a humidity level of 60% due to cooking or bathing are fine, so long as you monitor and lower the humidity afterward. Humidity levels above 65% can spur mold growth.
Can high humidity make you sick?
High humidity can increase mucus production and congestion, making it harder to breathe. It can also promote the growth of mold and bacteria, which can cause respiratory infections and trigger allergies or asthma.
How do I lower humidity without a dehumidifier?
To lower humidity levels without a dehumidifier, you can take the following actions:
- Run your air conditioner
- Use exhaust fans
- Open windows if the outdoor air is less humid
- Store firewood outside
- Eliminate or reduce houseplants
- Avoid air-drying clothing or boiling water excessively
- Use moisture-reducing products such as silica gels or DampRid
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