Maintaining appropriate humidity and temperature in the home is essential for both comfort and health. In this article we discuss the ideal humidity and temperature per room, the influence of humidity on health, and we provide practical tips for increasing humidity.
What Humidity at What Temperature?
General guidelines
- Living areas (e.g. living room, bedroom): Humidity: 40-60%, Temperature: 20-22°C
- Bathrooms and Kitchens: Humidity: 50-70%, Temperature: 22-24°C (bathroom), 18-20°C (kitchen)
- Cellars: Humidity: 30-50%, Temperature: 15-18°C
Specific Recommendations
Living room
- Humidity: 40-60%
- Temperature: 20-22°C
- Notes: These levels help prevent breathing problems and ensure comfort.
Bedroom
- Humidity: 40-60%
- Temperature: 16-18°C
- Notes: Cooler temperatures and balanced humidity promote better sleep quality.
Bathroom
- Humidity: 50-70%
- Temperature: 22-24°C
- Notes: Higher humidity is acceptable due to the presence of water, but good ventilation is crucial to prevent mold growth.
kitchen
- Humidity: 50-70%
- Temperature: 18-20°C
- Notes : As in bathrooms, the kitchen can tolerate higher humidity due to cooking activities, but good ventilation is necessary.
Cellar
- Humidity: 30-50%
- Temperature: 15-18°C
- Notes: Lower humidity helps prevent mold and mildew, which are common in basements.
How do you ensure good humidity?
Influence of Humidity on Health
Dry Air
- Causes: Often in winter due to heating and air conditioning.
- Health issues:
- Dry and irritated airways
- Dry skin, cracked lips and irritated eyes
- Increased susceptibility to colds and flu
- Worsening of asthma and allergies
- Solutions: Use humidifiers such as the Philips cold water evaporator with NanoCloud technology, which reduces the spread of bacteria by 99%.
Moist air
- Causes: Often in summer or poorly ventilated areas such as basements and bathrooms.
- Health issues:
- Mold growth, leading to respiratory problems
- Increased presence of allergens
- Structural damage to the house (e.g. wood rot, peeling paint)
- Solutions: Use dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture and maintain optimal humidity levels.
Tips to Increase Humidity
- Open a Window: Provide good ventilation by opening windows, especially on humid winter days.
- Use a Hygrometer: Measure the relative humidity in your home with a hygrometer to ensure it stays within the recommended range of 40-60%.
- Buy a Humidifier: Invest in a humidifier to maintain desired humidity levels.
- Install Air Purifying Plants: Use plants that purify the air and release moisture, which improves indoor humidity.
- Set out Water Containers: Place containers or vases filled with water on radiators to evaporate and increase humidity.
- Leave Shower Doors Open: After showering, leave the doors open to allow steam to disperse and increase humidity.
- Turn off heating: Reduce the use of central heating when not needed to prevent dry air.
- Ventilate During Cooking and DIY: Provide good ventilation during activities such as cooking and DIY to manage humidity.
- Keep Mechanical Ventilation On: Always keep mechanical ventilation on to maintain air quality and prevent moisture problems.
By following these guidelines, homeowners can create a healthier and more comfortable living environment. Maintaining the correct humidity and temperature is not only good for your health, but also for the preservation of your home and the items in it.
Conclusion
Maintaining appropriate humidity and temperature in your home is very important for both your comfort and your health. By taking the right measures, such as using humidifiers and dehumidifiers, and by regularly ventilating, you can create a pleasant and healthy living environment. Don't forget to monitor the humidity and temperature in different areas of your home and adjust them to the specific needs of each room. This way you ensure that your home remains a place where you feel good and stay healthy.