• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Storing/Organizing
  • Home Maintenance
  • Cleaning & Odors
  • Moving Tips
  • Decor Inside & Out
  • Yard Sales
  • More
    • Electronics & Gadgets
    • Health & Beauty
    • Hobbies & Crafts
    • Home & Garden
    • Jobs & Money
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Travel

DIY Household Tips Guide

Real People. Real Experiences. Real Helpful.

a Fun Times Guide site

search

Home » Home & Garden » Fixing Things » Moisture Levels Inside Your Home: How To Tell If You Need A Humidifier Or A Dehumidifier

Moisture Levels Inside Your Home: How To Tell If You Need A Humidifier Or A Dehumidifier

21 Shares
Pin
Share21
Tweet

We write about products and services that we use. This page may contain affiliate links for which we receive a commission.


A humidifier is designed to put more moisture into the air.

A dehumidifier takes moisture out of the air.

Generally speaking, you shouldn’t need a humidifier in the summer months; most people need them only during the winter months when the weather is dry and cold and heaters tend to make the air inside very dry.

    • If you are experiencing dry skin, cracked lips, itchy eyes, or you are getting shocked every time you walk across the carpet, then chances are you don’t have enough moisture in the air and you might benefit from a humidifier.

    • If rooms in your home feel stuffy, you have rotting wood or wet stains on either the walls or ceilings or both, then you might want to consider investing in a dehumidifier.

Measure Your Home’s Moisture

The only way to know for sure whether or not you need a humidifier or dehumidifier is to purchase a hygrometer.

A hygrometer is a special thermometer that can measure the amount of moisture in the air.

Ideally, your home should be between 30% and 50% humidity to be normal and healthy.

  • If your home is below 30% humidity, then you should consider investing in a humidifier.

  • If it’s over 50% then a dehumidifier is your best choice.

You should measure the amount of moisture in the air in each room of your house at different times of day. You may not need a humidifier or dehumidifier for your entire home (which is good, because that can be very expensive).
 

Before You Buy A Humidifier Or A Dehumidifier

humidifier-by-shinnygogo.jpg Before you run out and buy a humidifier or dehumidifier, there are a few things you should know.

First of all, there are humidifiers that are made to cover just one room, and there are some made to cover your entire house.

Generally speaking, if you intend to purchase a humidifier or dehumidifier that only covers a room thinking it will cover your whole house if you leave doors open… you’re wrong. It may moisten (or dry) the air depending on your situation in other areas, but the farther away from the unit the other areas are, the less moisture will be added to or taken away from the air.

Also, if you buy a smaller unit and then expect it to do your entire home, you will find that the unit does not last as long — which of course defeats the purpose of saving money by buying the smaller unit.
 

Bigger Is Not Necessarily Better

dehumidifier-by-yum9me.jpgUnderstanding what areas of your home need (or don’t need) extra moisture by measuring each room with the hygrometer is the best way to make an informed decision about whether or not you need should invest in a humidifier or dehumidifier.

You may find after measuring the rooms in your home that, most of the time, your moisture levels are between 30% and 50% — so would be no need to purchase either a humidifier or dehumidifier.

However, also knowing that maybe only one or two rooms need a unit can save you a lot of money, reduce allergy symptoms, and eliminate those "shocks" you get every time you walk across the carpet in your home. 

Many people run right out to purchase the largest unit for their entire home, only to discover that they didn’t need to — after the fact. They could have done the job much less expensively by purchasing a smaller unit.

By taking the time to educate yourself ahead of time, you will be able to make a good decision when it comes to choosing a humidifier or dehumidifier for your home.

RELATED:

How To Tell If You Need A Humidifier

How To Tell If You Need A Dehumidifier

Humidifiers Help End Dry Eye Syndrome

Unique Ways To Add Moisture To The Air In Your Home

A Humidifier Helps To Cure "Sweating" Windows

Optimum Indoor Relative Humidity Levels

Humidifiers: Buying Guide, Repairs & Reports

Dehumidifiers: Buying Guide, Repairs & Reports

Regina
Regina

My favorite things to write about are topics that have to do with pregnancy, weddings, saving money, living green, and life with dogs. When I’m not writing, I love to spend time with my husband, read, create 3D artwork and Native American beadwork.

21 Shares
Pin
Share21
Tweet

Filed Under: Fixing Things, Home & Garden, Storing & Organizing Things Tagged With: Allergies, Heating And Cooling, Weather

Primary Sidebar

About Us

LynnetteI like to help people find unique ways to do things that will save time & money -- so I write about "outside the box" Household Tips and Life Hacks that most wouldn't think of. I'm super-organized. And I LOVE to clean! I even enjoy doing laundry (but not ironing). I’m also a lifelong dog owner -- so I often share my favorite tips for living with dogs inside your home (like smart home design choices and dog-friendly cleaning & decorating ideas). Career-wise, I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started... and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). Prior to that, I worked in Higher Ed over 10 years before switching gears to pursue activities that I'm truly passionate about instead. For example, I've worked at a vet, in a photo lab, and at a zoo -- to name a few. I enjoy the outdoors via bicycle, motorcycle, Jeep, or RV. When I’m not cleaning, organizing, decorating, or fixing something… you'll find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I've personally written over 200 articles about cleaning, organization, DIY repairs, and household hacks on this site! A few have over 2M shares; many others have over 100K shares.

Lynnette: View My Blog Posts

AvatarI’m a first-time mom. I work from home and I write. Tackling random DIY projects while my husband is at work and my toddler is asleep is how I spend my free time these days. I also enjoy discovering new products and gadgets that will make life easier with a dog, a cat, an active little boy, a Harley-loving husband, and all of our extended family!

Candida: View My Blog Posts

Top Searches

Appliances Aromatherapy Bathroom Candles Carpet Cleaning Sponges Clothing Cool Household Products Creative Uses For Everyday Things Curtains Declutter Essential Oils Flooring Free Stuff Furniture Garage Gift Ideas Go Green Grass And Lawn Care Home Buyers Home Sellers Kids Kitchen Landscaping Laundry Money-Making Ideas Money-Saving Ideas Moving Supplies Moving Tips Odors Outdoor Living Painting Pets Plastic Bags Remodeling Reviews Roof Shower And Bath Soap Springtime Stains Trees And Shrubs Vacuum Cleaners Weather Yard Sales

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Fun Times Guide logo
Shop Our Favorite Items

Copyright © 2004-2021 The Fun Times Guide | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | Sitemap