humidity level settings on a modern air conditioner

Humidifiers are fantastic for making your home comfortable as the weather outdoors changes. We have heaters to keep out the cold weather, we have air conditioners to blast away the heat, and everyone should have a humidifier to ward over dry climates or overly humid air. But before you find yourself wondering what should my humidifier be set at, we have a complete guide here.

But to ensure your humidifier is doing its job, it needs to be set to the proper humidity level for the season. Most of the time, humidifiers don’t need to be fiddled with too much. But a few times a year, when the weather changes dramatically, you should adjust your humidifier setting.

If you don’t know what your humidifier should be set at, don’t fear. We will explain the correct humidifier settings for different temperatures and seasons. Refer to this guide whenever you aren’t positive that your humidifier is at the right setting. Most models like the ones in our best small humidifiers guide come with helpful instructions. 

Short Answer to What Should My Humidifier Be Set At?

The ideal range of humidity for your home will almost always fall between 30 and 50%, any higher will over-saturate the air, and any less will most likely result in a dry, scratchy environment.

What is Relative Humidity?

The relative humidity of a space is the measure of the water vapor content of air represented in a percentage. The percentage indicates the feeling of saturation in the air. When a space has high humidity levels, it will feel warmer and vice versa, so although humidity doesn’t affect the temperature of the air, it affects how the air feels to humans.

What Should My Humidifier Be Set At Based On The Weather?

It can be hard to know the ideal setting as the weather outside fluctuates. Next time you aren’t sure how to set your humidifier, refer to the list below.

  • When the outside temperature is 20-40 degrees, indoor humidity should be no more than 40%.
  • When the outside temperature is 10-20 degrees, indoor humidity should be no more than 30%.
  • When the outside temperature is 0-10 degrees, indoor humidity should be 30% or lower.
  • When the outside temperature is -10 or 0 degrees, indoor humidity should be below 25%.
  • And finally, if the outside temperature drops below 10 degrees below freezing, set your humidity to no more than 20%.

Effects of Poor Humidity Levels

If the humidity levels in your home aren’t ideal, it can be incorrect in two different ways. High humidity levels and low humidity levels can make for an uncomfortable atmosphere, so you need to find the perfect balance so you can enjoy the quality of air in your home.

High Humidity

what should my humidifier be set at
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When humidity levels are too high, condensation can form on windows and floors, making everything slightly moist. High humidity is generally uncomfortable for people and pets in your home. Condensation can also create a slipping hazard on tile or concrete floors.

Many don’t consider this, but high humidity levels will affect baked goods, like bread, resulting in soggy or overly soft bread. Any water-sensitive belongings can also be damaged if the humidity levels rise too high.

And worst of all, high humidity levels foster a breeding ground for mold and mildew that can harm your health. An overly humid environment will likely lead to illnesses since bacteria can more easily spread in moist environments.

Low Humidity

If the humidity levels in your home are too low, this can damage your entire house. Dry air forces cracking in drywall and other problems that impact the integrity of your house. In addition to this hazard, dry air is uncomfortable and can make you feel cold in your home.

Like overly humid air, dry air can lead to sickness like dry throat, coughing, wheezing, and trouble breathing. Many of us don’t realize how valuable a moderate humidity level is to our health and comfort.

Bottom Line

It is important to keep your humidity at appropriate levels for the outdoor weather, or it may make your home uncomfortable for you. Many people don’t realize that relative humidity affects much more than just our comfort.

So to keep your family happy, healthy, and comfortable, refer back to this guide when the weather changes and you aren’t sure if your home’s humidity is decent. It is as simple as clicking a button on the appliance a few times.

Don’t neglect to check your humidifier settings as the seasons come and go because if it isn’t set at the proper level it won’t monitor your home air in the way it should.

What Should My Humidifier Be Set At? FAQs

When should I change the humidity?

It is best to adjust the humidity with the change of the seasons. So about four times a year, the humidity may need adjusting. But climate change has impacted the way the seasons change, so you can adjust your humidity whenever you see fit.

What if I like it humid?

Everyone has their own preferences, but be careful not to add too much moisture to your air. This can be bad for your health and can wind up damaging your belongings because of the excess moisture.