How to Find Out if Your House Has Low Humidity

Hygrometer's come in two main forms: mechanical (pictured) and electronic.

Low household humidity can lead to a number of minor health problems as the low humidity air dries out your throat and can cause sinus infections. Low humidity can also lead to a build up of static electricity and cause defects in electronic equipment. Measuring and maintaining your household humidity is important for your health and well-being, while it also provides a pleasant environment for you, your housemates, family and friends.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Hygrometer

1. Visit your local hardware, electronic products, building supplies or department store and ask a staffer if they sell hygrometers. Search near the humidifiers and air conditioning systems if you are unable to locate a staffer, or he does not know what a hygrometer is.

2. Choose between buying a mechanical or electronic hygrometer. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) advises that mechanical hygrometers are generally cheaper and are reasonably accurate, but may "stick" if the humidity in your house does not change very much over a long period of time. Note that you may also have to calibrate your mechanical hygrometer, although this is relatively straightforward. Purchase an electronic hygrometer, however, if you are willing to spend up to approximately $60 as of July 2011. The CMHC details that electronic hygrometers have easy-to-read LCD displays but are sometimes "slow to respond to changes in humidity" and cannot be corrected by hand. Electronic hygrometer consumers will also incur the additional cost of batteries.

3. Return to your household, remove your hygrometer from its packaging and, if you purchased an uncalibrated mechanical hygrometer, calibrate it by following the instructions enclosed in the product's packaging (see Resources). Insert batteries into your electronic hygrometer if applicable. iAllergy advises that between 25% and 55% humidity is ideal for a homestead; if your humidity reads as below 25%, take measures to increase the humidity in your home (see Resources).

References

• iAllergy: Humidifier Buying Guide
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Measuring Humidity in Your Home

Resources

• Neptune Cigar: How to Calibrate Your Hygrometer
• Guide to Houseplants: How to Raise the Humidity for House Plants