Maintaining building humidity levels is vital to the performance of your building, but it is often overlooked as part of a comprehensive maintenance plan. Experts recommend that humidity levels be kept between 40 and 60 per cent for optimal performance, but studies show that these levels are below the lower end of the threshold about 42 per cent of the time.
How can humidity levels affect your building’s performance? Besides contributing to occupant comfort, keeping the humidity levels within the recommended range can help manage condensation, improve indoor air quality, and maximize structural integrity. It can also help reduce building equipment wear and energy consumption and extend equipment lifespans.
Stay vigilant in detecting signs of high humidity like bubbling paint, condensation, and swelling wood. This can cause eventual damage to your foundation and interior, reduced air quality, and increased risk of mould.
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In cases of low humidity, you might see chipping paint, cracking adhesives, or splitting wood. This condition also increases the movement of viruses, bacteria, and dust particles, so hygiene and sanitization can become an issue.
Here are some of the steps you can take to help manage the humidity levels in your building:
- Service and maintain your HVAC unit to keep it running efficiently and effectively.
- Invest in smart technology for accurate, real-time readings. Tools like smart thermostats can help spare your HVAC unit from overworking by adjusting the temperature based on the humidity.
- Use commercial de-humidifiers in spaces where the levels are high to help remove the moisture from the air before it travels through your building.
- Do your best to ensure that your building envelope is airtight to make it easier to control the levels inside. Add insulation and seal or replace windows and doorways to help stop air travel.
Managing the humidity levels in your building means a more comfortable environment, better air quality, less risk of mould, and lower expenses for equipment maintenance and interior damage.